Transport for London has apologised to Will Young after he claimed he was the victim of a shocking case of homophobic abuse from a bus driver.
The singer, 38, took to Twitter on Friday to share the details of the incident, in which he alleged a TfL bus driver had called him by the homophobic slur ‘p**fter’ through a window as he was driving his car.
TfL condemned the alleged incident and said they are looking into it as a ‘matter of urgency.’
Sorry: Transport for London has apologised to Will Young after he claimed he was the victim of a shocking case of homophobic abuse from a bus driver
Steve Burton, TfL’s Director of Enforcement, told MailOnline: ‘We’re very sorry to hear of Will Young’s experience, and are looking into it urgently. Any form of hate crime is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
‘Everyone has the right to travel without fear of abuse or intimidation and if anyone witnesses or is victim to hate crime they should report it immediately.
‘We work closely with our police partners to eradicate hate crimes and fully investigate all reported incidents.’
After sharing the shocking post former Strictly Come Dancing star Will asked Mayor of London Sadiq Khan for help to help bring the driver to justice ‘to ensure he doesn’t abuse others’.
He has previously spoken at length about his history with homophobia.
Called in:After sharing the shocking post former Strictly Come Dancing star Will asked Mayor of London Sadiq Khan for help to help bring the driver to justice ‘to ensure he doesn’t abuse others’
Addressing his 217,000 followers, Will tweeted: ‘Homosphobic abuse from a tfl bus driver calling me a p**fter. Reported it ten minutes after it happened and TfL been amazing.
‘However bus companies on route say video footage gone as too late – quite how someone complains and actually GETS footage I am unsure…’
Will, who was driving his car when the bus driver reportedly bellowed abuse through his window, continued: ‘TfL doing everything they can but I am appealing to @TfL @SadiqKhan to help me find the driver to ensure he doesn’t abuse others . PLEASE DM me’.
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London told MailOnline: ‘The Mayor’s Office are in touch with Will Young in regards to this incident and the work being done across the TfL network to tackle all forms of abuse including homophobic hate crime.’
MailOnline has contacted a representative for Will for comment.
Horrific: Addressing his 217,000 followers in a Twitter post on Friday, the former Strictly Come Dancing star detailed his shocking experience
Horrific: Last year, Will revealed another shocking incident of homophobia, as he recalled being threatened with gang violence and weapons
Last year, Will revealed another shocking incident of homophobia, as he recalled being threatened with gang violence and weapons.
He said: ‘I’ve had to run away from knife threats, hide in shops. I’ve also taken people on.’
Recounting a time that a gang of men in Oxford hurled abuse at him, the singer added that the other people on the street helped him fight back.
‘The whole of the street turned against them and I think that was a palpable sign of how it’s simply not tolerated now.’
Advocate: In 2013, Will threw his support behind charity, Stonewall which promotes equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people across Britain
In 2013, Will threw his support behind charity, Stonewall which promotes equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people across Britain.
In a panel discussion, he said: ‘We know that too many children still hear homophobic abuse every single day. The Pride is an inspirational tale of how far the gay community has come but we know that there’s still so much to be done.
‘That’s why it’s fantastic that the crew and cast are raising money to support Stonewall’s work in schools across Britain and I’m delighted to be part of this important debate on homophobic language.’
Speaking out: Will has been very vocal in campaigning for the LGBT community and condemning any homophobic incidents he has encountered