Actor, QI host and famed wit Stephen Fry, 57, is “very very happy” that he and his partner Elliott Spencer, 27 are set to be married soon.
The age-gapped couple met sometime over the summer, and while they were hoping to keep the news private, they aren’t about to let a little publicity rain on their parade.
“Oh. It looks as though a certain cat is out of a certain bag. I’m very very happy of course but had hoped for a private wedding. Fat chance!,” Fry tweeted, adding, “Thank you all SO much for your kind congratulations. Deeply touched xxx.”
Friends have commented that since meeting Spencer, Fry has found his spark again after a long period of depression marked with a suicide attempt three years ago.
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A friend of Fry’s told The Sun, “Stephen and Elliott get on brilliantly together. It’s fantastic to see Stephen with a smile on his face again. He has been very, very open about his battles with drugs and depression. Elliott seems to have given him the confidence to live his life again. It’s great to have the old Stephen back.”
And it appears they’ve both benefitted from meeting one another. Elliot tweeted in July, “I had the confidence of a gnat when I met Mr @stephenfry Show him some respect – he’s the man.”
The two are expected to wed sometime this year.
Related Story: Don’t Mind The (Age) Gap: Seven High Profile May/December Gay Relationships And How They Worked Out
h/t: GayStarNews
Stache99
I’m happy for them and I really like Stephen Fry. Their pairing looks a bit ridiculous but if it helps them enjoy life who am I to judge.
Arcamenel
The tweet kind of bothers me. The guy had no confidence until he met the much older man? Sounds like someone was groomed.
Stache99
@Merv: I made no comment about who you’re with nor do I care. Fry and this guy are adults so I’m pretty blase about that too. Geffen and his high school jock along with Singer banging teens are most definitely odd pairings worthy of criticism though.
Mike
Who?
lauraspencer
Congrats!
Are we sure Fry is 57??? In that photo the age difference looks even more extreme with Fry looking 77 and Elliott looking 17.
Staying out of the sun and moisturizing is important!
Palmer Scott
@Arcamenel: Groomed? Really? Groomed? This isn’t a boy, or even a very young man, he’s 27 for god’s sake, old enough to know what kind of partner he wants. At what age does he qualify (in your book) to make his own decisions?
Merv
Good for them. I hope they are happy together. They may look a little unusual together, but odd pairings can work. My partner and I have been together for a long time, and even though we are close in age (I bet that surprises Cam and Stache), we’re different in other ways that probably makes us look odd together, so I’m somewhat sensitive to criticisms about odd couples.
Charlie in Charge
Stephen Fry is a gem, congrats to the couple.
Tobi
“Deeply touched”, so Fry’s the bottom, huh? Who knew?!! 😉
robho3
I wish them well. Can you say ‘Daddy’?
jjose712
At least in this case is pretty obvious what the younger likes of the older, and no, i’m not talking about money. Fry is intelligent and funny, and some people like those things
TheBigOne
Let’s all hope that you don’t get old someday and enjoy the companionship of a man less than half of your age. We wouldn’t want to call you a bit “ridiculous”.
@Stache99:
Ogre Magi
@Arcamenel: It could just be that he didn’t have self confidence. A lot of people don’t
Stache99
@TheBigOne: I just said what most people are going are thinking anyways. Their first thought will be how nice. Dads out with his boy. In a gay sense I guess that’s true though. The second thought will be how much is he paying him. Sorry for not being more PC about it but that’s the truth.
Contrast that now to say Elton John and David Furnish who just got married after being with each other for 9 years. To me it just looks more stable and no one’s going to bat an eye.
Like I said though. I like Fry and I wish them the best.
Cam
@Arcamenel: I’m not sure you can say he was “Groomed” when he’s in his late 20’s
Stache99
@lauraspencer: A life of depression, drugs, and alcohol will age you fast. I’ve experienced it all myself to some degree and I’d probably be Gorgeous today if I’d avoided that BS;)
Mack
Don’t knock the age difference if you haven’t tried it. Us older daddies can be hot in bed and need a young one to keep up.
Doughosier
Good for them! Elliot is cute. Nothing like the love of a cute guy to fight depression. I hope they both continue to make each other happy.
charlie_jackpot
I think I’ve seen interviews were Fry doesn’t do anal sex so I don’t think he qualifies as a bottom or top. I do really like Fry and hope this makes him happy, now and for the long term
pjm1
George Soros likes his women at least 50 years younger
and he usually has a few — and they can be quite spicy and
there’s lots of drama. So whats 30 years and no drama.
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/george-soros-offered-6-9-million-drop-lawsuit-lawyer-article-1.1843367
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
I am thinking the same thing I do when I see a similar straight couple with such a huge age difference…….
One most likely is seeking comfort, one cash…………………….
kevininbuffalo
Sounds like both have grown because of the relationship. Mutual support, being there for each other is what it’s all about. And age dosen’t enter into it
SteveDenver
I interviewed Stephen for the release of WILDE in 1997 and he is one of the most charming and wonderful people I’ve ever met. I hope they make each other phenomenally happy for a long time.
If they were a heterosexual Hollywood couple, Elliott would be 5 years to old to be Stephen’s second wife.
jud
I am 66 and have a boyfriend (geez–what a strange name) who is 44—for 11 years–we’re as happy as can be, as far as I know. I’ve always preferred younger than me–and he’s always preferred older men–when I was with a woman? it was the same thing–how strange is that? Most younger guys are embarrassed by their interest in older men–their friends tease them unmercifully. why can’t people recognize that different people with different backgrounds and desires might like something that is not what 80% or 90% of other people like? Some guys go nuts over redheads–and frankly–I think that’s sort of weird! Or long hair? Or low hangers? Geezus–how many things excite and interest us that seem odd to others? Let it go!
charlie_jackpot
I go for older guys in the sense im 32 and would someone late 30s early 40s
Ms Urethra Johnson
Hubby and I are 26 years apart… He sometimes acts like he’s a 14 year old girl (Iphone texting, facebooking, instagramming like a hipster)… And I’m an old soul, can’t stand most people my age… it’s all about connecting on personalities… affinities… AND great SEX !!!
Same as when “yous guys” bitch at str8 people that gay marriage doesn’t affect them… well these 2 different aged guys don’t affect YOUR life so BUTT OUT… Jealous betches…
Bryguyf69
This has disaster written all over it. It’s bad enough that such relationships rarely survive. But add in a suicidal depressive and someone with low self-esteem, and you’d have a volatile powder keg. Will their individual psychopathologies resurface every time there is a conflict? Will Fry use the threat of suicide to retain Spencer? Will Spencer exploit Fry’s fear of abandonment? Etc, etc.
Bryguyf69
@kevininbuffalo wrote:
“Sounds like both have grown because of the relationship. Mutual support, being there for each other is what it’s all about. And age dosen’t enter into it”
===
It sounds more like mutual dependence than mutual support. When I did counseling, one of the biggest problems I saw was couples who defined themselves in terms of the relationship. That emotional dependence is always problematic because the relationship is bound to have ups and downs. My goal was to flip the definition, and have the couple shape the relationship around themselves AS INDIVIDUALS.
NoCagada
Hey…whatever tickles the fickle pickle.
Billy Budd
Stephen Fry is a GREAT MAN and an important person for GLBTs. I can attest that odd pairings can work.
DarkZephyr
@Arcamenel: this is probably one of the dumbest statements I have ever read here at queert.com. A nearly 30 year old man being “groomed”? Are you f*cking kidding me?
@Stache99: who cares how it looks as long as they are happy? They are both full grown adult men and they love each other. If they allowed other people’s opinions get in the way of their bliss, they would be fools. I am ecstatic for them and only wish them the best.
blackberry finn
hoho Now, seriously, what do you nay-saying critics think ‘success’ means? Right there, folks!
barkomatic
Life is short–you gotta take happiness where and when you can find it. If it doesn’t last at least he had someone for awhile.
Merv
@Stache99: I could be wrong, but I thought Geffen’s boytoy was in college? In any event, I never heard any allegations he was underage. I don’t get upset about asymmetric relationships like that, because I know that both participants realize it’s a transaction, with each bringing something they have and receiving something they want. The older guy gets to relive his youth, and the younger guy gets to experience a lifestyle he probably wouldn’t be able to afford for a while, if ever. I really don’t think it’s so complicated for either participant that they don’t understand exactly what they’re getting into. Obviously, the Stephen Fry relationship is deeper and has less of this element than the Geffen relationship, but it probably still exists to some extent. I really don’t have a problem with that. Very few relationships are based 100% on romantic affection.
DarkZephyr
@Merv: or maybe they really are in love. Obviously every romantic pairing has to initially begin with a hook of some kind, but maybe they really and truly are in love.
mgkbus
In my early twenties, I had two wonderful relationships with two men who were more than 30 years my senior. Never thought anything about it. We went shopping, restaurants, travel and enjoyed life. I learned a lot and was able to have realtionships with people nearer my age as well. I learned al ot from my older loves. I never felt groomed. I loved being lavished with privaledges and other learning activities. I learn well and have used some of what I have learned now that I am of that age. And guess what? I find that I’m attractive to those in their twenties and early 30’s. I am not ageist when comes to men whom I love. I love men. Period.
Stache99
@mgkbus: Sounds like the only thing you wanted from them was the lifestyle they gave you or the lavishment as you put it. Then you go on to say that your now only attracted to young guys. I guess that’s a good example of Mervs transaction relationship.
Cam
@Merv: said….”I could be wrong, but I thought Geffen’s boytoy was in college? In any event, I never heard any allegations he was underage.”
______________
He was 18 when the relationship was discovered, Geffen claims that he had only dated him after he was 18.
NoCagada
I thought Mrs. Doubtfire was dead?
enlightenone
@Bryguyf69: “This has disaster written all over it. It’s bad enough that such relationships rarely survive. But add in a suicidal depressive and someone with low self-esteem, and you’d have a volatile powder keg. Will their individual psychopathologies resurface every time there is a conflict? Will Fry use the threat of suicide to retain Spencer? Will Spencer exploit Fry’s fear of abandonment? Etc, etc.”
High probability of “diaster.” Otherwise 100% in agreement. This coupling not recommended for MARRIAGE, especially given the length of the relationship! DRUGS/DEPRESSION impacts judgement! This decision is only one example.
vaultninja
@Ms Urethra Johnson: Dear Haters,
The husband and I are 33 years apart, money was not a factor in our relationship. Our relationship is based on love. We don’t call each other Daddy or Son, we are both versatile, we enjoy life and live it to the fullest. Some like older, some like younger, some like women. My marriage doesn’t affect your life at all. As my Dad used to say “Don’t let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya!” because your opinion matters as much to me as what Tony “closet-case” Perkins has to say.
A wise man once said, “Gays always want people to like them, but they really don’t even like each other. Leave the judging in the Court House and be nice to each other!”
Rock on Ms. Urethra Johnson, many years of happiness to you both!
Billy Budd
Jealous bitter queens all over this webpage. Shame.
Ms Urethra Johnson
@vaultninja: Thanks…Yous too !!!
Blackceo
As long as they are happy, who is anyone to judge. Hell, when I was 18 I dated a 45 year old and he was one of the best lovers I ever had and would put some of these 20 and 30 something gays who think they are all that TO SHAME. He was intelligent, worldly, settled, sexy face and body, good in bed, and the relationship I learned the most from that saved me from the common pitfalls young gays fall into during their 20s.
Cam
@Billy Budd:
Your comment is the wrong way to go about what you are trying to do. If somebody has an opinion about Fry and his fiancee, whatever their reasons it is most likely not because they are “Jealous”.
Jealous of what? That a suicidal drug and alcohol addicted 57 year old is dating somebody and receiving ridicule for that relationship?
They are most likely coming from a different direction and your response doesn’t work for that.
Frankly if Fry is happy and the kid is happy good for them. Do they look ridiculous together? Sure they do, but honestly so do a lot of other couples, such as John and Kate Gosslin, the Duggers, Chealsea Boy couples that dress the same, etc….