Graham Norton has slammed RTE for their handling of the homophobia controversy, calling their decision to settle out of court "absolutely moronic" in a controversial interview with Hotpress magazine published today. The BBC talk show host did not hold back on his opinions of the national broadcaster, as well as what he thought of the extremists against gay marriage.
He told Hotpress: "I want to ask these people, 'Why are you so scared and intimidated by the idea of gay marriage? There's nothing positive in their life; what drives them is fear. They love using language - they're 'pro-this' but actually they're just against stuff. It's a really horrible, sucking the joy out of life attitude, so you feel sorry for them."
When discussing how RTE handled the recent Saturday Night Show 'homophobia' controversy, the Cork man said: "I'm not registered to vote in Ireland but I do pay the licence fee there and I'm fucking furious that some of my money has gone to these idiots. RTÉ settling wasn't gutless, it was absolutely moronic!"
He went on to discuss how we are now all living in a changed Ireland and that these extremists so actively against gay marriage and moving forward are like "rats trapped in the corner of a barn. They know the jig is up. That's why they're screaming so loud."
He discussed the time he spends in Ireland every summer, and how the Bandon he grew up is not the same to the one of his youth; "It's such a different place. It takes pride in accepting all types of people."
While Graham said he himself had no wish to get married, he felt that those that do, should have every right to. And while he bashed the likes of the Iona Institute he said: "The great thing about extremists is that they drag everyone towards the centre. That's why they exist. You hear their opinions and suddenly you're a little bit more tolerant - because you don't wanna be them!"
