Will Young has demanded the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan helps track down a bus driver who called him a gay slur.
The singer and radio presenter tweeted yesterday morning saying: “Homosphobic abuse from a tfl bus driver calling me a poofter. Reported it ten minutes after it happened and TfL been amazing. However bus companies on route say video footage gone as too late – quite how someone complains and actually GETS footage I am unsure”
Homosphobic abuse from a tfl bus driver calling me a poofter. Reported it ten minutes after it happened and TfL been amazing. However bus companies on route say video footage gone as too late – quite how someone complains and actually GETS footage I am unsure
— Will Young (@willyoung) January 5, 2018
The tweet was shared and liked more than a thousand times but not everyone was sympathetic and soon the hashtag #WillYoung was trending across the UK. Many took to mocking the celebrity, accusing him of being too sensitive and wasting the Mayor’s time, especially after a further tweet from Will demanding Sadiq Khan get involved.
TfL doing everything they can but I am appealing to @TfL @SadiqKhan to help me find the driver to ensure he doesn’t abuse others . PLEASE DM me
— Will Young (@willyoung) January 5, 2018
John Kelly tweeted: “Seriously Will Young there’s a lot more bad shit happening in London than you getting called “a name”. Its London!”
Seriously Will Young there’s a lot more bad shit happening in London than you getting called “a name”. Its London! Who hasn’t been called something racist, sexist or homophobic….I’m not saying its right but I am saying get over it, we’ve all been there. #WillYoung #London #TFL
— John Kelly (@JohnKelly58) January 6, 2018
Meanwhile, Ardella Jones tweeted sarcastically, slamming Will for wasting TFL and Sadiq Khan’s time, posting: “Dear TFL once you’ve tracked down the bus driver who said something rude to a celebrity in a car, we’re hoping you’ll focus on keeping buses running on time and ensuring female and male passengers feel safe from violence on board. Just saying…”
@TfL #WillYoung @sadiqKhan Dear TFL once you’ve tracked down the bus driver who said something rude to a celebrity in a car, we’re hoping you’ll focus on keeping buses running on time and ensuring female and male passengers feel safe from violence on board. Just saying… https://t.co/LPWabBId1l
— Ardella Jones (@ArdellaJones7) January 6, 2018
Will, who pulled out of Strictly Come Dancing last year after suffering the symptoms of PTSD, reacted to the explosion of mocking tweets, posting again yesterday evening: ”
TfL been great at reacting to my tweet . All I need is an apology – no witch hunt . To be called a poofter isn’t the nicest thing and it reminds me what a vile thing prejudicial language is to try and shame others. I can take action, many young people can’t
— Will Young (@willyoung) January 5, 2018
Some users were supportive of Will though. Matt Beat tweeted: “Ah, the “something isn’t as bad as something else so we should definitely just ignore it” brigade are out in force today.”
Ah, the “something isn’t as bad as something else so we should definitely just ignore it” brigade are out in force today. #willyoung
— Matt Beat (@bigmatt1970) January 6, 2018
A Twitter user called Craig tweeted his support, suggesting white, older men don’t understand what it feels like to be called abusive names.
We need to invent a word that is shocking and derogatory to white, older men so that when they get called it, they truly know how awful it feels to be subjected to bigotry. #willyoung
— craigabouttown (@craigabouttown) January 6, 2018
It will come as no surprise that Katie Hopkins had to step in and have her say. She posted: “Knife crime up 39%. Homeowners told to solve their own burglaries. Shoplifters told £200 worth won’t be policed. 4 fatal stabbings on New Years Eve. But STOP THE WHOLE OF LONDON. #WillYoung was called a name.”
Knife crime up 39%. Homeowners told to solve their own burglaries. Shoplifters told £200 worth won’t be policed. 4 fatal stabbings on New Years Eve. But STOP THE WHOLE OF LONDON. #WillYoung was called a name. pic.twitter.com/vB7BWHcpKT
— Katie Hopkins (@KTHopkins) January 6, 2018
Big Brother star, actor and artist Chris Wright mocked the huge response, saying: “If you haven’t taken a moment out of your day to attack #WillYoung yet, are you really the horrible bastard your mother hoped you’d be?”
If you haven’t taken a moment out of your day to attack #WillYoung yet, are you really the horrible bastard your mother hoped you’d be?
— Chris R. Wright (@chrisrwright) January 6, 2018
There is no word, as of yet, on who the bus driver is and whether TfL and Sadiq Khan have mobilised a hunt for the alleged offender.
