Steve and Linda admitted they were 'dreading' their son Rob's wedding day to his partner Simon. Photo / Channel 4
Steve and Linda admitted they were 'dreading' their son Rob's wedding day to his partner Simon. Photo / Channel 4
Bride and Prejudice viewers have described the moment a gay groom-to-be's parents told him they only feel comfortable at "normal" weddings as "unbearable" to watch.
Rob, 37, who is appearing on the Channel 4 show that follows couples whose families disapprove of their relationships, met with his parents Steve and Linda to plead with them to take a more active role in his wedding to partner Simon.
Speaking to the camera, Steve, from Fenland in Cambridgeshire, admitted he was "embarrassed" by his son's sexuality and was "dreading" the wedding day, the Daily Mail reports.
When Rob confronted them about their reluctance to get involved, his mum Linda told him they were used to "normal weddings".
The incredibly uncomfortable exchange scene sparked an outpouring of sympathy for Rob on Twitter, with some viewers saying watching it left them in tears.
Steve and Linda admitted they were 'dreading' their son Rob's wedding day to his partner Simon. Photo / Channel 4
While some viewers were quick to point out that Rob's parents' might not be alone in their views among the older generation, most suggested he would be "better off without them".
Rob had been married to and had children with a woman before meeting Simon, 31, and his parents were very involved in wedding planning the first time around, but he found his second wedding was a very different story.
Dad Steve said: "I must admit I have never spoken to anyone about it, I feel sort of embarrassed to talk about it.
"It's not like going around saying I've won the lottery. I am absolutely dreading the point where the minister says you may now kiss the groom, the bride, the what?"
After he got divorced Rob came out to his mum, who initially wouldn't let him tell his dad for fear of upsetting him.
Rob said he'd always wondered what his father thought of his sexuality, as they hadn't discussed it, but Steve revealed on the show that he felt "horrified".
He said: "If he was a genuine gay you'd notice it from a really early age I think, the mannerisms."
Linda agreed, saying gay men have "limp hands" and a different walk to straight men.
She told her son that they were unsure how to act at a gay wedding because they were used to "normal ones".
They also asked him not to "snog" at the altar in front of his grandmother because she would find it "disgusting".
Rob said: "I think they're embarrassed to have a gay son, it makes me feel awful knowing that they're embarrassed of me. I just want my parents to be proud of me, proud of who I am.
"The choice that I've made, it's a big thing going from being a straight man to a gay man and I done it with pride, didn't hide the fact."
Stunned viewers took to Twitter to express their shock over Rob's parents "awful" views.
One tweeted: "I'm actually in tears this is horrendous."
Another posted that Rob "doesn't deserve such toxicity in his life".
Me whilst listening to these bigoted, homophobic, racist, intolerant assholes (sorry, parents) on #BrideandPrejudice. Blood is boiling. Disown the families and live a life of tolerance and freedom from judgement! pic.twitter.com/wAmawtRmkJ
One tweeted: "Before you judge and condemn know that the parents were brave to air their brainwashed prejudice. Many stay ignorant because their circles are closed. So open them up and many perhaps will walk towards more egalitarian society to embrace gays & all races."
"Before everyone starts slating Rob's parents how about wait for the other episodes to find out what actually happens?" Another posted.
Watching #brideandprejudice seeing homophobic parents not supporting their sons wedding makes me so angry! It just makes me even more prouder that my sister and her fiancé will be getting married soon whilst bringing up their gorgeous twin girls ❤️
Felt quite sad watching #BrideAndPrejudice on 4. Some very suspect comments from the parents of the gay gentleman, including how he can’t possibly be a real gay because he doesn’t walk in a camp way or have a ‘limp hand’. Sigh.
A third said: "Ok, as a mother who would understand, support and accept any choices my children make. For most of these particular cases, I still understand how difficult it is for them to come to terms with. They are people of a different generation."
