Gogglebox legend defended from ‘horrible’ backlash after labelling himself ‘old pervert’

Gogglebox star Stephen Webb has been defended by one of the Celebs Go Dating experts after backlash to his appearance on the show.

The 53-year-old spent a decade on the Channel 4 reality series but after quitting it and then splitting from husband Daniel Lustig last year, Stephen signed up to Celebs Go Dating.

Despite being a fan favourite during his time on Gogglebox, Stephen has come under fire for comments and behaviour on his most recent reality TV stint, even breaking down in tears when admitting he ‘comes across like an old pervert’ after deciding to date considerably younger men.

However, dating agent Anna Williamson has now thrown her support behind Stephen and begged viewers to ‘hold all judgment’.

‘I adore Stephen and actually I really haven’t enjoyed seeing a lot of the negative feedback that Stephen’s been getting,’ she said.

‘That could not be further away from the man that I know and I’m really looking forward to everyone seeing Stephen’s progression.

‘I love him, and he doesn’t deserve some of the horrible headlines because he’s a very, very lovely man,’ she added when speaking to Yahoo UK.

Anna, who joined the show in 2019, also asked viewers to wait and see how Stephen’s story on the show progresses before making harsh judgments.

‘With Stephen, we’ve seen somebody that just wasn’t aware of how they were coming across on dates, and I can’t spoil it. But please, I want everyone to just hold all judgement of Stephen and stick with him through to the end of this process,’ she continued.

Anna then explained how Stephen ‘took on board feedback and executed it’, adding she believed he’d experienced ‘the biggest lesson in love’.

She also urged people to ‘be a bit kinder to the judgment we give up celebrities and someone like Stephen’.

‘It’s been hard for me to see him get some backlash because he doesn’t deserve it. He’s a wonderful guy, and the proof is in the pudding at the end of this series,’ she added.

During an earlier episode of Celebs Go Dating, 31-year-old diving instructor Dean said he felt ‘humiliated’ after Stephen directed sexual questions at him, with the former Gogglebox star then getting emotional.

‘It’s hard. It’s really hard. I’m a hot mess. My head’s all over the place. I feel like my whole personality has been destroyed,’ he added while he cried, also being reprimanded by the dating experts for his behaviour.

The other celebrities currently appearing on this season too include Married At First Sight star Ella Morgan, Coronation Street star Helen Flannagan, Love Island’s Chris Taylor, singer Jameila, and internet personality Tristan Phipps.