Cape Town - Soli Philander has publicly denied the rumours that he’s a “bisexual, drug abuser” that has been “in an open marriage”.
Last week the comedian and radio show presenter confirmed that he was leaving his wife of 30 years, Toni Philander.
He refused to divulge details of his split, but after the Daily Voice broke the news of his impending divorce, he has been tweeting up a storm and has written on his blog.
On Thursday, in an essay titled Media Madness, the dreadlocked comic took potshots at news agencies who have approached him for comment.
One journalist apparently asked him to comment on rumours that he was divorcing Toni because he is bisexual and using drugs.
Philander wrote on his blog: “Let me be clear though, my leaving my wife had nothing to do with me being a bisexual drug abuser in an open marriage.
“And no, I’m still not discussing the reason for my decision with you.”
The Cape Town entertainer, who has four grown-up kids with his estranged wife, was also harassed while shopping for a bed with a male friend.
Philander said he and a male colleague from Taxi Radio were walking in the street when a photographer pulled a paparazzi move on them.
He says after posing for some pictures for the freelance photographer, who apparently knew his children, he and his friend walked on.
He writes: “Justin and I pop into Cash Converters to check the prices of sleeper-couches, something I promised my brother I’d do for him as he is in the market for one, and I notice the young photographer is still taking pictures all along.
“I ask him to stop, which he refuses, and when I confront him, he runs away shouting ‘Headline tomorrow: Soli Philander and his boyfriend’.”
Philander ends his writing (which is typed all in capital letters on the blog), saying: “For the record: I know we live in a bare-your-bosom-in-public culture, but I am not discussing the demise of my relationship of more than thirty years with anybody other than those affected. Or those I choose to share with.
“I don’t need you to like it, that’s just how it is.”
And he says people don’t have to worry about Toni, who is now living in Belhar.
“For the record she is staying with dear family friends in a rather nice part of the suburb,” Philander wrote.
Daily Voice