Tan France has said he would never return to live in the UK because he “suffered so much racism” here.
Speaking to Grazia, the Queer Eye and Next in Fashion host explained that he finds it much easier living in the US – he has lived in Salt Lake City, Utah, for seven years.
“In interviews before, when people would say, ‘Would you ever move back to the UK?’ I’d say, ‘Yeah, maybe’,” France said.
Now, however, he explained that his response to the same question would be “a solid no”.
“I suffered so much racism here and it’s just not something I want to put myself through,” France added.
“I love this country, I love what it potentially represents, but I just think that until they solve this problem or move forward with it, where you just are not attacked every day, I’m not willing to be here.”
France added that he has ”never been called anything racist in the US”. “It’s not once happened,” he said.
The 36-year-old presenter has previously spoken about experiencing racism while growing up in Doncaster with parents from Pakistan.
Speaking to the Guardian, France explained that he found a way to deal with the discriminatory comments he received.
“I knew that having an adverse reaction was not going to achieve anything,” he explained.
“Me calling them something or swearing back would achieve nothing. I knew if they were willing to talk to me, I could say, ‘What is your problem with P****? Who do you think we are?’”
France’s comments echo those of British grime artist Stormzy, who recently told Italian newspaper La Repubblica that he believed the UK was “definitely” racist.
