GREY’S ANATOMY GAY FUROR GROWS

Openly gay Grey’s Anatomy star T.R. Knight has confirmed on the Ellen DeGeneres Show that he was insulted by his co-star, Isaiah Washington, who has in turn denied making the homophobic slur.

A fracas between Washington and co-star Patrick Dempsey on the set of the television show last year is said to have led to Washington calling Knight a “faggot”.

Rumours of the altercation circulated in the media and resulted in Knight releasing a statement in which he came out as gay.

Now, for the first time, Knight has confirmed the incident. He told talk show host Ellen DeGeneres that, “He [Washington] referred to me as a faggot… Everyone heard it.”

Earlier in the week, in an apparent about-turn, Washington surprisingly denied making the slur in a post Golden Globes interview. In October last year, he released a statement saying, “I sincerely regret my actions and the unfortunate use of words during the recent incident on set.”

Another Grey’s Anatomy star Katherine Heigl also joined the fray this week when, at a Golden Globes after-party, she commented on Washington’s denial. She told Hollywood Access that, “I’m going to be really honest right now, he needs to just not speak in public. Period.” She went on to say that, “T.R. is my best friend. … I will use every ounce of energy I have to take you down if you hurt his feelings.”

When asked by DeGeneres about Washington’s denial Knight replied: “Yeah, he denied that he said it… I don’t know what to say… really, about that.”