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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to feel hurt after friend mocked my celebrity crush?

189 replies

HumbleHun · 06/08/2026 23:20

Hi MN, second time trying a thread so I hope it goes better this time. So a close friend has really annoyed me earlier this afternoon. I was with 5 of my friends from my village having lunch with a few glasses of wine. As usual the conversation started to get a bit silly towards the end. Someone started asking the girls who their celebrity crush was. Had the usual Hugh Grant, Benedict Cumber batch but when it came to me I felt awkward and blurted out Martin Clunes. I didn't want to be judged and say someone younger than me or someone out of my league so the first man that came to mind was him.
I think he's reasonably attractive and talented but the friend I feel closest too went into a fit of giggles and kept bringing it up for the rest of the afternoon.
A few hours later she put a picture of Martin in the church group chat and my DH noticed I was upset so I had to tell him.
He found it amusing and doesn't seem to care but I feel betrayed and hurt that my close friend is mocking me even after she knew I was embarrassed at lunch.
She's usually so nice and caring but iv seen a nasty side today but my adult daughter said it's just banter and to let it go.
I feel like messaging her and cancelling weekend plans.
IABU?

OP posts:
lulubalu · 07/08/2026 14:32

As a PP said you've just got to own it!

There have been plenty of 'weird celebrity crush' threads on here and we're all loud and proud - we're not all going to think the same way and that's part of the fun.

Here's mine in no particular order:
Jamie Oliver
Piers Morgan
David Walliams
Stanley Tucci
Recent addition to the list is Sir Keir

I do have some others that might be less controversial lol:
Josh Charles
Chris Noth
Gabriel Macht

Rib away! ha ha

Didimum · 07/08/2026 14:22

Personally I think this is really overreacting, but you can't help your feelings. When discussing silly things, I think it's very common for friends to rib each other. I think if you continue to dwell on feelings like this you may end up isolating yourself from your friend groups, so I would try to adapt your mindset if able.

BettyJoanPerske · 07/08/2026 13:23

hoarahloux · 06/08/2026 23:30

You weren't comfortable so blurted out a person who you don't actually fancy that much but who is your age, and so your friends laughed? To be honest, Martin Clunes, really? There are many attractive older men on TV. I really wouldnt have picked him! If you don't fancy any men surely among your friends it's OK to say no one, or how about the women. I'd go Gillian Anderson or Olivia Colman tbh.

You think that Martin Clunes is less attractive to a straight woman than Olivia Colman?

Lentilcakes · 07/08/2026 13:23

@WontStopHowlingNowDennis Waterman was my first crush at about age 8. Used to love a bit of Minder!

Lentilcakes · 07/08/2026 13:19

SchnitzelAgain · 07/08/2026 10:41

Pretty sure I found Dominic Cummings strangely attractive back in the day and got my arse handed to me, and rightly so! But there are women who fancy Jacob Moggy so we’re both fine, OP!

Who fancies the haunted pencil? Now that’s a worry!

Lentilcakes · 07/08/2026 13:17

You’re taking this far too seriously! You should e said who you really liked though, who cares if they’re younger? I’ve certainly appreciated young men on screen - onesyoung enough to be my son 😂 (maybe I’d draw the line at 22 - my son’s actual age!!

Spidey66 · 07/08/2026 12:26

Mine are Keir Starmer and Jarvis Cocker, I’m forever being teased. It’s just banter!

SchnitzelAgain · 07/08/2026 12:18

Mildmanneredmum · 07/08/2026 11:09

Try Daniel Craig's US deep south accent in "Knives Out". My knickers burst into flames.

🤣🤣 I must borrow that expression!

Maray1967 · 07/08/2026 12:14

HumbleHun · 06/08/2026 23:34

I think he's good looking and I love him in doc Martin but I'm not extroverted with personal things like this so I went with a safe option. There are men that make my knees tremble but if be very uncomfortable revealing that as they are decades younger

Don’t let that worry you! One of mine is much younger and gay …

WheresThatCatGoneNow · 07/08/2026 12:09

I love Danny Dyer when he has a sexy moustache and goatee beard.

I've seen a photo of him almost naked, and the hair on his stomach and chest is beautiful.

He's gorgeous, and I definitely wouldn't kick him out of bed.

How's that for controversy?

Sparrowsandbudgies · 07/08/2026 11:29

I think you sound like a lovely person and so I’m saying this with kindness but as others have said you’ve completely overreacted. Your friend is just having a giggle with you. It’s completely harmless.

And for the record, Martin Clunes is HOT 🔥

OnceasillyarseAlwaysasillyarse · 07/08/2026 11:22

Patrick Grant. No shame, he's a grade A hottie 😍

Also have a thing for Little Alex Horne, especially when he breaks character and laughs along on Taskmaster. It's lovely to see and always makes me laugh!

sheisforrealatiger · 07/08/2026 11:16

Mildmanneredmum · 07/08/2026 11:09

Try Daniel Craig's US deep south accent in "Knives Out". My knickers burst into flames.

I’ll have to keep an eye out. It’s not like sometimes an American accent doesn’t do anything for me. I think Idris Elba is better American (the wire). But I just pictured Hugh Laurie as house but English, and doing his lines from maybe baby “we’ll just try, and try, and try…”

Mildmanneredmum · 07/08/2026 11:09

sheisforrealatiger · 07/08/2026 09:55

Nah, it’s the beard and the confidence, and the fact he isn’t making his voice artificially higher like he did in so many comedy roles before that. Imagine him, as house, speaking in an English accent in the same depth and delivery that he does in house. You’re welcome.

Try Daniel Craig's US deep south accent in "Knives Out". My knickers burst into flames.

DontTeaseMyDog · 07/08/2026 10:45

One of my best friends crush is Johnny Vegas, I said, he always looks like he needs a good wash - she clapped back instantly - ''Errrrrrr isn't yours johnny depp in pirates of the carribean?!''

Yes ma'am, well played, let's call it quits 😃

SchnitzelAgain · 07/08/2026 10:41

Pretty sure I found Dominic Cummings strangely attractive back in the day and got my arse handed to me, and rightly so! But there are women who fancy Jacob Moggy so we’re both fine, OP!

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 07/08/2026 10:40

@HumbleHun I lived next door to Martin Clunes for a few weeks, many years ago.

I was looking after an old lady and he and his family had the house and land next to hers.

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 07/08/2026 10:35

HumbleHun · 07/08/2026 00:01

I have learned my lessons and I am listening and respecting the advice of the wonderful people on here. Last time was disastrous and embarrassing but tonight's has helped me immensely. I hope last time I did not offend you personally and if so I'm very sorry.

Oh I promise you that you didn't.
It was a great thread and should have been in Classics.

Idontjetwashthefucker · 07/08/2026 10:28

I ❤️ Clunesey, just not in Doc Martin. I got ribbed for saying Stanley Tucci...those arms, that voice melts

Likeiloveyou · 07/08/2026 09:57

Honestly it’s just banter. Are you British?

It means she likes you. 😊

sheisforrealatiger · 07/08/2026 09:55

CamillaMcCauley · 07/08/2026 01:42

Oooh yes, I have watched far too many episodes of House, which is an objectively terrible show, just because he’s in it.

The weirdest thing is that usually an English accent makes men hotter than an American accent but in my opinion it works the opposite way with Hugh Laurie.

Nah, it’s the beard and the confidence, and the fact he isn’t making his voice artificially higher like he did in so many comedy roles before that. Imagine him, as house, speaking in an English accent in the same depth and delivery that he does in house. You’re welcome.

CallUpMyMamaSaidImInLoveWithTheStripperYo · 07/08/2026 08:48

The Huw Edwards documentary ruined Martin Clunes for me. Now I can’t tell them apart in my head.

CallUpMyMamaSaidImInLoveWithTheStripperYo · 07/08/2026 08:46

EwwStew · 07/08/2026 03:42

When I was a teenager my main crushes were Craig Charles, Chris Barrie, Rowan Atkinson, Steve Irwin and Rik Mayall.

Now I'm an adult it is still them when I watch old reruns, though I have a new apex crush.

The man. The mountain. Greg Davies.

I've had the piss ripped out of me for my crushes forever. Do I care? No. Because they are sexy as hell and I will die on that hill.

To be fair Greg Davies looks exactly like Rik Mayall (only bigger) so this is not surprising.

Jc2001 · 07/08/2026 07:58

HumbleHun · 06/08/2026 23:20

Hi MN, second time trying a thread so I hope it goes better this time. So a close friend has really annoyed me earlier this afternoon. I was with 5 of my friends from my village having lunch with a few glasses of wine. As usual the conversation started to get a bit silly towards the end. Someone started asking the girls who their celebrity crush was. Had the usual Hugh Grant, Benedict Cumber batch but when it came to me I felt awkward and blurted out Martin Clunes. I didn't want to be judged and say someone younger than me or someone out of my league so the first man that came to mind was him.
I think he's reasonably attractive and talented but the friend I feel closest too went into a fit of giggles and kept bringing it up for the rest of the afternoon.
A few hours later she put a picture of Martin in the church group chat and my DH noticed I was upset so I had to tell him.
He found it amusing and doesn't seem to care but I feel betrayed and hurt that my close friend is mocking me even after she knew I was embarrassed at lunch.
She's usually so nice and caring but iv seen a nasty side today but my adult daughter said it's just banter and to let it go.
I feel like messaging her and cancelling weekend plans.
IABU?

Isn't the whole point of talking about celebrity crushes is that you all take the piss out of each other?