Gareth Thomas, the former captain of Wales, has weighed in on the controversy surrounding former This Morning host Philip Schofield, who suggested that the backlash he faced would have been different if he weren’t gay.
Schofield has been under intense media scrutiny since leaving the popular ITV daytime show and revealing that he had lied about an affair with a younger male production runner.
During an interview with the BBC, the 61-year-old stated that the affair was “unwise but not illegal” and had resulted in him “losing everything,” leaving him afraid to leave his house. He further claimed that if the affair had been a heterosexual relationship, it would not have caused such a scandal.
Schofield remarked, “Attraction is attraction. It’s no different in the gay world than it is in the heterosexual world or in the lesbian world. There shouldn’t be a difference. This is where homophobia comes in. It’s accepted by Leonardo DiCaprio, but it’s not accepted in the gay world.”
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Jeremy Clarkson and actor Rupert Everett are among those who believe that the media coverage surrounding Schofield has exhibited homophobic undertones, with Clarkson describing it as a “witch hunt.”
Gareth Thomas, who collaborated with Schofield during their participation in Dancing on Ice in 2013, has now expressed that “there is an argument” that the presenter is facing different treatment due to his sexuality. The former Wales skipper also noted the influence of social media, stating that “everyone is a journalist” in today’s society.
“It’s an interesting situation,” Thomas said. “If we wonder whether it would be different, then the reality is that it probably would be. However, it is challenging to form an opinion on this saga because the facts are not yet clear. There is a lot of speculation, conspiracy theories, and intrusion, as always. So, I’m trying to base my judgments on facts, which is difficult in the society we live in, where everyone is a journalist.”
He continued, “Social media allows people to voice their opinions and have them echoed. These opinions are presented as journalistic facts, even when the individuals lack any factual knowledge. In regards to the claim Schofield made, there can indeed be an argument for it. The fact that we question it and feel that it could be [homophobic] speaks volumes about the discriminatory nature and the stereotypes faced by marginalized individuals.”
Thomas, who revealed his HIV-positive status in September 2019, is currently undertaking the Three Peaks Challenge, climbing Snowdon, Scafell Pike, and Ben Nevis consecutively. His aim is to demonstrate that living with HIV should not hinder one’s ability to achieve anything and to celebrate the advancements in science and medicine over the past few decades. Additionally, he is raising funds for the Terrence Higgins Trust.
This challenge comes less than six months after he settled a legal case filed against him by his former partner, who accused him of concealing his HIV status during their relationship. Thomas vehemently denied the allegations and reached a settlement by paying £75,000 plus costs, describing it as a “hugely positive outcome.”
Speaking about the stigma he has encountered as an individual living with HIV, Thomas shared his experiences of discrimination and the fear it generates. He highlighted that stigma, whether resulting in people not getting tested or refusing treatment, is projected to cause the deaths of approximately 400,000 individuals within the next 20 years.
Thomas emphasized his commitment to combating stigma, as he faces it daily, and how the Three Peaks Challenge serves as a testament to the mental and physical capabilities of people living with HIV. He explained that the metaphor behind the challenge represents the uphill battle of fighting stigma, while organizations like the Terrence Higgins Trust and his own Tackle HIV campaign work to address misconceptions and change attitudes