Hugh Jackman’s wife Deborra-Lee Furness responds to rumours that he is gay

‘It’s like saying to Elton John: ‘He’s straight,' said Furness

Hugh Jackman’s wife has addressed the rumours that the X-Men star is gay, calling them “made up” and “mean-spirited”.

Australian actor Deborra-Lee Furness spoke out against the long-standing speculation surrounding her husband’s sexuality when she appeared on the interview series Anh’s Brush With Fame.

She joked: “He’s been gay so many years. I was gay too. You know when I did Shame? I was gay. They were shocked when I got married.”

Furness added: “It’s just wrong. It’s like someone saying to Elton John: ‘He’s straight.’ I’m sure he’d be pissed.”

The couple met on the set of the Australian television show Correlli in 1995, and were married within a year. Together, they have two children.

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Speaking about their first meeting, the actor said: “We just had this amazing connection. And I feel blessed that I experienced… that I feel like I met my soulmate, whatever that is.”

As well as addressing the rumours surrounding Jackman’s sexuality, the 64-year-old said she finds it “rude” when people tell her she is “lucky” to be with the Wolverine star.

“Lucky? Like I won a chook [chicken] raffle,” she said. “People don’t realise that it’s actually rude to say that.

“But yeah… it’s because he’s the stud muffin. But that’s show biz and Hollywood and the brand of Hugh Jackman.”