Matt Lucas homophobic abuse claim sees man appear at court

A man who is accused of hurling homophobic abuse at comedian and presenter Matt Lucas while on his way to a football match last year has appeared in court

The man accused of hurling vile abuse towards Matt Lucas has appeared in court.

The comedian, an avid Arsenal fan shared on Twitter last year that while heading to a match against Everton when he had been subjected to homophobic abuse. In December, Matt took to X, formerly known as Twitter to share that over the course of the season, he'd been abused on two occasions.

Matt, 50, revealed: "I have been verbally abused twice on the way to football matches so far this season. On both occasions I was minding my own business, head down, walking to the ground. I was called 'a f**king queer c**t' by one man and another told me that 'our club doesn't want disgusting gay fans'. If you're a player and that offends you less than wearing a rainbow-coloured armband for a couple of matches, then maybe you're part of the problem."

Now, a man accused of the abuse has appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court. Ayub Dirie, 32, is alleged to have used homophobic language towards Lucas, who was heading to the Emirates Stadium to see Arsenal take on Liverpool on October 27 2024 in Islington, north London.

The defendant, of Plimsoll Road, Islington, spoke only to confirm his name and address at a short hearing. Dirie, who wore a black coat in the dock, was also charged with racially aggravated harassment and using abusive words towards two police officers. He was granted unconditional bail and the case was sent to Snaresbrook Crown Court for a case management hearing on January 30.

When Matt shared his experience on social media, he responded to followers who implied that the former Great British Bake Off host had been making homophobia in football seem more prolific. The comment read: "I'm not denying it happened.. But I've been going to Arsenal for 40 years and never heard anything remotely homophobic.. The stadium has a big banner saying 'Gay Gooners' and nobody seems to mind. You sure it wasn't away fans winding you up? And are you sure rainbows will fix it?" Matt replied succinctly, simply writing: "Good for you."

Matt is openly gay and has previously explained that he first suspected he was gay around the age of seven. While he's relatively private about his personal life, he let fians into his life after meeting TV producer Kevin McGee in 2002. The couple went on to marry in a civil partnership just four years later in front of guests including Sir Elton John and Courtney Love.

However, their partnership was dissolved by the High Court in 2008. Kevin tragically died after battling depression and a drug addiction. The TV producer was found dead at his Edinburgh flat in October 2009. To mark the 10th anniversary of Kevin's death, shared on social media in 2019: "I loved him more than anyone I’ve ever met, and still do. He was so funny and silly and clever and kind and handsome, and his smile made my heart soar."

Matt added: "We were together for nearly six years and he made me the happiest man on the planet. In the end, he lost his battle with addiction and depression. I guess some people don’t have the armour for this world. I think of him probably a hundred times a day, every day. In truth, I think of little else.”

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