Tom Allen has revealed that his neighbours guessed that was gay during his teenage years – even before he realised it himself.
Speaking at the Rolling Stone UK Awards 2024, the 41-year-old comedian said: “Before I came out, I once received a handbag from my next-door neighbour – it was sort of a clutch bag, which would’ve been perfect for a night like this.
“It was before I was out, and I was only a teenager, and I thought, ‘How do these people know so much about me before I do?'”
Over the last 12 months, the comedian has kept busy with BBC One show Big Gay Wedding with Tom Allen, and he’s also now hosting a show on Virgin Radio UK.
Reflecting on what he’s achieved over the last year, Tom said: “I’ve been very blessed. I’ve had a busy time, and I’ve been doing some projects that I’ve always wanted to do, so I feel very happy.”
In the past, Allen has spoken of his difficulties growing up as “closeted, working-class kid in Bromley” and homophobic bullying at school, saying “‘Why do you talk about being gay all the time?’ Well, it’s because people wouldn’t let me talk about it for the first half of my life!”