I’m a Celebrity’s Anne Hegerty: People assume I’m a lesbian

I’m a Celebrity contestant Anne Hegerty has said that she often receives flirty messages from women—but that she has to turn them down as she’s not interested.

Hegerty, who made a name for herself on ITV’s quiz show The Chase, also acknowledged her support from LGBT+ fans, saying: “It’s nice to be a gay icon and a lesbian icon.”

“I have to say to them I’m very flattered, but at the same time your gaydar is broken.”

— Anne Hegerty

Speaking to The Sun, Hegerty explained how she regularly gets prepositioned on social media.

Anne Hegerty: “Your gaydar is broken”

“The awkward thing is I do quite often get lots of flirty Twitter messages from women,” she explained, revealing how she’s often mistaken for a lesbian.

“I have to say to them I’m very flattered, but at the same time your gaydar is broken.

“Quite often they say yes I didn’t think you were, just thought I’d try my luck.”

The brainiac, who has more than 50,000 followers on Twitter, added: “It does tend to be more women than men which feels a little weird, but you know, hey, any kind of attention’s nice.”

People often think Anne Hegerty is a lesbian. (Jeff Spicer/Getty)

Hegerty, who is single, also said she finds relationships difficult as she has Asperger syndrome.

“I find relationships really a struggle because of my need to have a lot of space to myself,” she said.

Hegerty is among the first 10 contestants recently confirmed for this year’s I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!

ITV recently announced the first ten contestants for this year’s I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! (ITV)

I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! returns to screens on ITV on Sunday.

John Barrowman to star alongside Hegerty on I’m A Celeb 

Other contestants include openly gay actor John Barrowman, football manager Harry Rednapp, and singer Fleur East.

Barrowman, who is the bookmakers’ current favourite to win, said he wants a gender neutral title if he gets the crown.

“I would be over the moon if I won. I would be the King or Queen of the Jungle,” he said, before adding: “I want both crowns.”

In April, Hegerty stood up for a contestant on The Chase, who performs as a drag queen in his spare time.

One social media user called contestant Daniel an “attention craving wankstain,” while another fumed “what the f**k is that thing on the chase?! Starting to fall out with this program now.”

In a withering reply, Hegerty wrote: “Oh, don’t be such a sad f**ker.”

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• Jan 03

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