Stephen Fry Left Gasping by Direct Question on Sex Life in ITV Interview
Stephen Fry was left gasping as he faced a very direct personal question about his sex life with his husband during an appearance on ITV's The Assembly. The presenter, 68, was the first celebrity in the second series of the interview show, which features autistic, neurodivergent, and/or learning-disabled interviewers grilling famous faces with no topic off limits.
Talk Turns to Sexuality and Marriage
During the episode, conversation naturally turned to sexuality as Stephen was quizzed about his relationship with his husband Elliott Spencer, whom he married in 2015 after a whirlwind engagement. Stephen, who came out as gay in the late 1980s, has long been vocal about his sexuality, recently opening up in 2024 about how being gay felt like there was a horror inside him as a teenager.
Initially, one interviewer asked for advice on finding a husband, to which Stephen responded that it was different now compared to his youth, offering heartfelt encouragement that the interviewer deserved happiness and a loving relationship with another man.
Shock Question Leaves Fry Speechless
However, the mood shifted when another interviewer followed up with a crude inquiry about Stephen and Elliott's sexual preferences in the bedroom. Bursting out laughing, gasping, and covering his face with his hand, Stephen exclaimed, Wow, that is as direct as it gets. I'm going to leave that a mystery, I think that's best. He added, Thank you for raising it, it's a very important point. That was a great moment.
In a preview interview, Stephen had described the question as eye-watering, joking that the grilling from the audience was worse than the Celebrity Traitors roundtable. He explained, The Assembly just pips it. The Traitors roundtable sees the possibility of mistakenly naysaying, or of being punished, but within a game. The Assembly puts one under a microscope for real.
Reflections on Growing Up Gay
Stephen has been candid about his past struggles, revealing in a 2024 interview with The Times that he felt rejected and mocked for his celibacy while hiding his sexuality. He said, In the Eighties, I was known as Celibate Stephen. I was so excited by my work that I forgot to have sex. It was also fear. I always felt rejected in gay bars. He added that being gay gave him years of misery but also an education in literature, citing influences like Oscar Wilde and EM Forster.
Insights into Marriage and Age Gap
Stephen and Elliott, who have a 30-year age gap, tied the knot just ten days after announcing their engagement in 2015. In a recent podcast, Stephen shared the secret to their successful marriage, emphasizing virtues like cheerfulness and understanding differences. He noted, For example, I had to understand, and he had to understand, that I am extremely energetic and bouncy and chatty in the mornings at breakfast and he is not.
He also credited Elliott with introducing him to new interests, such as Kendrick Lamar and WWE wrestling, even admitting to buying tickets for WrestleMania in Las Vegas. Despite keeping a low profile and not being pictured together for nearly six years, Stephen posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram in January to mark their 10th wedding anniversary, writing, Ten happy years to the day since we were joined in marriage. I'm a lucky man.
Thoughts on Longevity and Loneliness
Elsewhere, Stephen has expressed that he does not want to live past 100, fearing loneliness without friends and family. He explained, If everybody – my family and friends – lived into their 120s, then maybe I'd be quite happy to pass 100. But as it is, I would hate to be that lonely Flying Dutchman figure.
The Assembly continues to air on ITV1 and ITVX, offering a unique platform for unfiltered conversations with celebrities.
