“The actor, 45, is known for roles like Q in the James Bondfranchise and has also appeared in films like Cloud Atlas and The Danish Girl.”, — write: www.dailymail.co.uk
- Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.co.uk
By SEAN O’GRADY, SENIOR SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER
Published: 10:50 GMT, 17 December 2025 | Updated: 10:51 GMT, 17 December 2025
The actor, 45, is known for roles like Q in the James Bond franchise and has also appeared in films like Cloud Atlas and The Danish Girl.
In an interview with The Guardian, Ben acknowledged there are still ‘not very many’ out gay actors in the entertainment industry working at a high level.
He said: ‘It’s complicated and probably different for every individual, but I think it’s still something to do with the fact that if you want to be really successful, you have to confirm to what is deemed to be heterosexual taste, or something. Or to be sexy in a heterosexual way.’
However, the film star insisted he doesn’t ‘blame’ people who do not want their sexuality to be known publicly.
He said: ‘There’s still a lot of homophobia and hatred. I mean, it’s better, but it’s still true. Also, who knows what journey people are on with these things? I don’t blame anyone for being private.’
Ben, who came out as gay in 2014, was in a relationship with Australian composer Mark Bradshaw from 2012 to 2022.
He previously revealed that being openly gay ‘wasn’t a sustainable position to be in’ when he was starting out as an actor.
He told Sunday Times Style: ‘Well, there were very few gay actors who were out when I started and so being out didn’t seem like a sustainable position to be in.
‘But now it kind of is sustainable, but, actually, it opens up so many questions I have for myself.
‘Because, again, part of me still thinks that it is nobody’s business.’
Ben’s last rumoured romance was with Fleabag star Kadiff Kirwan.
The film star is said to have met Kadiff, 36, when they both played doctors in the BBC series This Is Going To Hurt.
According to The Sun last January, the pair have been seeing each other for a few months and enjoyed a romantic trip to Greece last year.
A source said: ‘Ben and Kadiff are on the same page when it comes to being private with their love lives. But they are very close and have loads of mutual friends, so hang out together a lot.
‘They got together after starring in This Is Going To Hurt and have quietly been an item ever since.’
The pair haven’t been spotted out together much, however, they did attend Margate Pride together last year where they posed for a snap together.
Kadiff dropped a hint about his relationship during an appearance on Jessie Ware’s Table Manners podcast where he referred to Ben as his ‘other half’.