Dale Winton’s life has been explored as part of a new Channel 5 documentary.
The show looked at the former Supermarket Sweep host’s life and Dale’s former agent Jan Kennedy explained more about the relationship he had with his mother about his sexuality.
The late TV presenter, who sadly passed away in 2018 chose to be ambiguous about his sexuality for years for fear of hurting his mum, who struggled with her mental health.
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She said: “Dale’s mother instinctively knew he was gay. There was no question, and tried to pull him away from it. If there was an operation for him not to be gay, that was how they thought in those days. She was born in a different time.” TV presenter Merrill Thomas also featured on the programme and opened up about Dale’s admission to her about his sexuality.
(Image: PA)
“There was a point where he struggled with being gay; I remember him saying to me, if I could take a pill to make me straight, I’d take it. I thought then, how awful that he should feel if he could take a pill that would make him not be him anymore but someone that was more conforming to what people expect of him in life, he would do it.
(Image: Carlton Television)
Back in 2018, Dale revealed he first fell love at the age of 18, but kept it a secret from his mum. He said: “But when I first fell in love, aged 18, I was struggling with a difficult home life: my mum, Sheree, was in a low phase and the fear that she would take her own life always haunted me. This was the early Seventies, and I’d just started working as a pub DJ. People were into drinking and having fun, and when one thing led to another that frequently meant sex.
(Image: S Meddle/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
“I was doing what came naturally, shall we say, and discovered that I’d fallen in love with two people at the same time — one called Caroline, and one named John. My big concern was that mum might take it badly. I so wanted to open my heart to her. But she was struggling with depression and I was walking on eggshells, trying to balance her ill health with my working life.”
If you’re struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their site to find your local branch
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
