‘Celebrity Big Brother’ viewers were left unimpressed by John Barnes during Saturday (20 January) night’s show, following a series of comments he made about gay men.
The former footballer was speaking to Shane J – who entered the house in full drag, as his alter ego Courtney Act – when he admitted to sometimes feeling uncomfortable around gay men.
John told Shane: “They [men] assume he’s definitely going to want to have sex with me. And that’s why men aren’t comfortable with gay men.
“They think ‘I wonder if he’s thinking about me without my clothes on’. It is an uncomfortable feeling that he is going to pounce on me.
“Because of the stigmatization concerning the act itself, they’re thinking you’re gonna make a move on me, you’re going to touch me.
Attempting to explain why he holds these views, John added: “I’m that way because everything I’ve said here is about the way I’ve been brought up.”
The pair also discussed sexual experimentation, following Andrew and Courtney’s private time in the bathroom earlier this week.
But when Shane said, “Sometimes somebody can have a little taste of something that…”, John interrupted with: “Kick them out of the club. Kick them out of the club.”
“I’ll tell you why, because if anything happened in that room he’s out of the club,” he added. “If anything happens in the room, Andrew’s out of the club. He’s not in my club if anything happens.”
Needless to say, ‘CBB’ viewers were not impressed…
Hands up who doesn’t want to be in fucking John Barnes club anyway? #CBBpic.twitter.com/DcDw2ZHVYX
Wow! John Barnes homophobic, says he can’t help it as that’s how he was brought up. Racism is ok then as long as you were brought up that way? Idiot and massive hypocrite. It’s the same, targeting, bullying and bat shit crazy views.
January 20, 2018
John Barnes says his homophobia is okay because he’s 54 and he’s just naturally homophobic which is possibly the worst reason I’ve ever heard and so stupid to hear from a black man who campaigned against racism #cbb
January 20, 2018
John Barnes would have been out last night if they’d show that clip before tonight! #cbb#narrowminded
That was pretty homophobic John Barnes! (his convo with Shane) I really don’t want that to go unnoticed! #cbb
John Barnes has jst shown his true colours tonight and shown how homophobic he is!! Eviction may have been different had this been shown last night!! @bbuk#CBB
January 20, 2018
Good of John Barnes to reinforce that ‘predatory gay’ stigma again on #CBB tonight to explain the utter fear straight men feel when faced with the sheer terror of a gay or bi male anywhere near them! Wow ?? pic.twitter.com/b0foPCPq4Z
January 20, 2018
So far, this series of ‘CBB’ has included a number of debates and conversations about important, topical issues. However, a number of the housemates have come under fire for various comments made.
Within just days of entering the house, Ann Widdecombe and Amanda Barrie were criticised for comments made about Harvey Weinstein and misgendering India Willoughby.
India also faced the wrath of Twitter when she compared drag to black face, while some of the male housemates have been accused of sexist behaviour.