‘They’ve taken my reputation’: ‘The Full Monty’ star Hugo Speer blames Disney for ruining his life

Photo by Dave M. Benett/Getty Images

The spin-off series to the 1997 hit film The Full Monty is scheduled to come out soon about a group of unemployed guys who form a striptease act. The only thing different in the show is that it is going to have to go on without Hugo Speer because of the inappropriate conduct allegations against him that had Disney firing the actor from the show.

The original lineup included Robert Carlyle, Mark Addy, Paul Barber, Stever Huison, Tom Wilkerson, and of course, Hugo Speer as the six steel workers who find themselves out of a job. Their original idea to tease the crowd in very tiny underwear became a challenge as they promise to take off more and go fully monty. It was a fun film to watch, with social commentary at the end of the day, and earned a solid 96% Rotten Tomatoes score.

The series that is being promised to hit the U.S. market on June 14, 2023, was supposed to bring back Hugo Speer’s “Guy” as well, but he was written off the show after being fired by top execs at Disney last year after a female runner accused the actor of inviting her into his trailer while he was completely naked. Now, almost a year after his firing, Speer has called out the Mouse House and claimed that Disney’s decision to remove him from the show was unjust.

According to Speer’s version, the young female runner was the one to knock on his trailer and seek entry without being told if it was okay. At the sudden intrusion, he hid behind his wardrobe. This was followed by Disney informing him that there have been a few complaints against him for “inappropriate conduct,” which needed to be investigated. Soon, he was told that he was off the show and he hasn’t been able to work since.

In an exclusive interview with Daily Mail, he lamented about being sacked and how it still continues to affect him a year after the incident.

“It was tragi-comic, but they didn’t realize how badly affected I was. I went into massive, deep shock. As you can see, I’m still kind of there.”

He talked about feeling suicidal because he hasn’t worked a day since he was fired and admitted the only reason keeping him alive is his wife and children as Disney has “taken my job. They’ve taken my reputation. They’ve taken my money. They’ve taken my mental health.”

Disney, in its response to Speer’s accusations, has highlighted that the decision to terminate the actor’s contract was taken following an “independent investigation” last year.

If you or someone you know may be considering suicide or is in danger of self-harm, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 or by using the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741. A list of international crisis resources can also be found here.

About the author

Michael Allen

Contributing Writer at WGTC, Michael Allen is the author of ‘The Deeper Dark’ and ‘A River in the Ocean,’ both available on Amazon. At this time, ‘The Deeper Dark’ is also available on Apple Books. Currently under contract to write a full-length feature spy drama for producer/director Anton Jokikunnas.