The actor who played the Blue Ranger in the original series of Power Rangers claims he quit the show because he was subjected to anti-gay bullying on set.
Actor David Yost, who played geek Billy Cranston on the massively successful 90s teen show, reveals in a new interview that he was called repeatedly called a 'faggot' by the show's creators, and was often called into producers' offices to face intense scrutiny over his sexuality, which he describes as "a humiliating experience."
Yost reveals that the harassment he suffered on the show's set and also on the set of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie became so overwhelming he considered taking his own life.
He says: "I felt I was told [...] I couldn't be a superhero."
Subsequent to leaving the show, Yost reveals how he adopted a conversion programme called 'Pray the Gay Away' in an attempt to change his sexuality, before becoming hospitalised after suffering a nervous breakdown.
The interview was conducted for the Power Rangers fan community No Pink Spandex, at this year’s Anime Festival Orlando 2010.
Yost, 41, is now happily working as a producer.