Will Young still hurt by Chris Moyles' 'rampage of homophobia' against him on Radio 1 breakfast show
Will Young has confessed he is still upset that Chris Moyles embarked on a “rampage of homophobia” against him when he was the host of Radio 1’s breakfast show.
The Pop Idol winner revealed in new book To Be A Gay Man that he was left “aghast” when the BBC radio DJ decided to mock his sexuality on his birthday in 2009.
Young, 41, wrote: “BBC Radio 1 breakfast show DJ Chris Moyles decided to embark on a rampage of homophobia against me – on my birthday no less. It was something that left me aghast, especially as he and I were on friendly terms.”
Read more: Will Young's twin brother Rupert dies after battle with mental health
The singer also told the Sunday Times magazine: “It still makes me feel sad in a way, because it did affect how important I felt my sexuality was, and because I didn't stand up for myself.
“So even though I was like, ‘Oh, it doesn't matter,’ it did, actually. It was really bad. Really bad.”
Moyles – whose BBC Radio 1’s The Chris Moyles Show had over 7 million listeners a week at the time – was reprimanded by media watchdog Ofcom for the comments, which they said breached broadcasting code.
The 46-year-old radio DJ – who now hosts a show on Radio X – spoofed a selection of Young’s hit singles, changing the lyrics to mock his sexuality.
In his version of Young’s No 1 single Leave Right Now, Moyles sang: “Oooh Will Young here, mmmm. I'm here, it's Will's birthday and as the years go by I get more very gay.
“When you saw me years ago you didn't know, but now I'm the gayest fella you probably know. Mmm I like to wear a silly hat, I get camper by the hour, oh would you look at the muck in here. I'm Will Young and I'm gay.”
Read more: Chris Moyles dedicates time to mental health awareness
And in a spoof rendition of Pop Idol winner’s single Evergreen he changed the lyrics to: “It's my birthday, gonna wear my new dress tonight. And I smell nice. I've had a shower and I've shaved my legs. Going out later, might go to Nob-oooh for dinner.”
Ofcom said in its ruling that listeners could reasonably have thought the piece was “promoting and condoning certain negative stereotypes based on sexual orientation”.
But the BBC denied that Young had been ridiculed because of his sexuality, claiming, “regular listeners to the programme will have been aware that Will Young has been a guest on the show a number of times... [and therefore] such remarks were not intended to be taken as hostile or derogatory”.
Yahoo UK has contacted Moyles for comment.
