Heartstopper star Sebastian Croft outed as gay at school

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 13:03 · Archive

Heartstopper and Celebrity Traitors star Sebastian Croft has spoken about being outed as gay at his Oxfordshire boarding school.

Sebastian Croft, 24, who stars in Heartstopper and appears in the BBC show The Celebrity Traitors, was outed as gay at St Edward's School when a fellow pupil disclosed his secret relationship. Croft told The i Paper that the experience was difficult and lonely, describing 'a really lonely and difficult time' that lasted several years.

The actor said being outed contributed to his decision to leave education at 16. He acknowledged that the other boy was 'also trying to navigate the fact that he was getting chipped for being gay', suggesting both pupils faced pressures around their sexuality.

Croft contrasted his school experience with his life as an actor. He said leaving school to act meant 'doing the thing I loved the most, and be with other like-minded people, and feel so liberated in myself'. He described returning to school as returning to bullying and ostracism. Acting has been central to Croft's life since childhood, including a West End role at nine and an appearance in Game of Thrones. His public coming out came during the first season of Netflix's Heartstopper.

How it is being reported

• Celebrity Traitors star outed as gay at Oxfordshire boarding schoolHeartstopper and Celebrity Traitor's star Sebastian Croft has spoken about being outed as gay at school.Oxford Mail · 21 Oct, 12:30
• Celebrity Traitors star outed as gay at Oxfordshire boarding schoolHeartstopper and Celebrity Traitor's star Sebastian Croft has spoken about being outed as gay at school.Oxfordshire Guardian · 21 Oct, 12:30

In this story: Sebastian Croft · St Edward's School · Oxfordshire · Heartstopper · Celebrity Traitors · BBC

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