My big advert was for ketchup. I come home from school, cook my brother and sister their dinner, ride my bike in the garden. Remember that one? People cried at that advert. It won awards. I was 12. Russell Tovey More Quotes by Russell Tovey More Quotes From Russell Tovey The only thing I can give to young gay people is that when I was growing up there were no role models that were blokey, that were men. Everybody was flamboyant and camp, and I remember going, 'That's not me, so even though I think I am gay, I don't think I fit into this world. Russell Tovey growing-up gay men Being an uncle brings me utter joy. Russell Tovey uncle being me joy When I left 'Being Human,' that was painful because the show was going on without me. But with 'Him & Her,' we finished on such a high together that if it is the end, it couldn't have stopped at a better time. But I hope with 'Him & Her' that we'll get another crack of the whip: that the writer might change his mind and write some more. Russell Tovey me change hope time I love my personal life and having a social life. And I didn't ever want to have to compromise. Russell Tovey compromise want love life I was so envious of everyone who went to Sylvia Young Theatre School. I wanted to go, but my dad flat-out refused. He thought I'd become some tapdancing freak without qualifications. And he was right in a way. I'm glad I didn't go. That might have changed. Russell Tovey thought dad way school I get told a lot that I'm kind of carving my own path. That there are not many actors who are out and are able to play straight and gay, and everyone's OK with it. Russell Tovey own my-own gay path I think if I met Frank Auerbach or Jeff Koons, I'd be more wobbly than if I met Robert De Niro! Russell Tovey i-think than more think I get letters and messages on Twitter saying I've become a bit of a role model, which is wonderful. Russell Tovey role-model saying become letters I love musicals - that's probably one of my most gay traits: that's one of my giveaways! Russell Tovey most traits gay love Brits are cool at the moment. We've taken over the world, what with 'Game of Thrones', 'Downton Abbey', One Direction... to be British is to be fashionable. Russell Tovey game cool moment world You can be cocky and confident, but when you start developing feelings for someone, suddenly your self-esteem drops a bit. Russell Tovey someone start you feelings I grew up in Essex, and all my life I wanted to live in London - now I do. I feel very privileged to be able to live here. Russell Tovey live my-life feel life When I was younger, I had terrible skin... my mother has terrible skin. Male-pattern hair loss is starting to come in... my dad is bald. It's so unfair; my brother's tall, has perfect skin, great hair, but I'm like the runt. Russell Tovey great brother mother hair Every character I play is straight, which is unique, my agent says, because it's not really been done before that someone who is completely out is able to play straight roles. Russell Tovey someone unique done character For me to play gay, it has to be something special because it might actually be more of a risk. So I'm waiting for that role - I want it to be something that moves things forward. Russell Tovey me gay special waiting I still feel I'm going to wake up any moment, and my skin's going to break out all over. Russell Tovey skin feel moment wake-up I never felt I was attractive to women. I felt I was attractive to men when I was growing up. And even now, if a woman fancies me, I find that a bit alienating. Russell Tovey woman me women men My mum used to think it was the pill that made you gay. There was too much estrogen in the water, and people started taking the pill in the '60s, and it made everybody gay. Russell Tovey you gay water people Someone outed me when I was 20, and I thought, 'Well, that's out there now...' Nobody made a massive fuss because I wasn't very well known. Russell Tovey nobody someone thought me I'm not a romantic lead. I have sticking-out ears and a little troll nose. Russell Tovey nose lead ears romantic
