A homosexuaL theatre worker was forced to resign after his boss christened him "gay boy", a tribunal heard.

Fausto Gismondi, 28, said he quit his job as a bookings co-ordinator because his manager Ed Tutty could not accept his sexuality.

Mr Gismondi said Mr Tutty refused to speak to him in a civil manner or even greet him with a "good morning".

The final straw came when Mr Gismondi was told by colleagues that Mr Tutty had dispensed with referring to him by name, simply using the term gay boy.

At a Newcastle employment tribunal, Mr Gismondi is claiming constructive dismissal against the Gala Theatre, Durham, which is run by Durham City Council.

The tribunal heard that Mr Gismondi, of Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside, claims Mr Tutty, who is also Press officer for Durham City Council, was homophobic.

Mr Gismondi, who is now group sales manager at Sunderland Empire Theatre, told the tribunal: "I realised almost immediately Ed appeared to have a problem with me. He moved me from the main office, where he sat, to the smaller box office area. I felt deliberately isolated.

"By the beginning of 2003, the situation was beginning to have a detrimental effect on my health, as I was becoming depressed about it and I was dreading the thought of coming into work.

"It was around this time that Ed began telling me I had not earned my salary for that month, and I wasn't worthy of it as I was rubbish at my job. It was very demoralising."

Gayle Jackson, 24, of Windy Nook, Gateshead, who worked as a marketing assistant at the theatre until July, said: "It was clear to me Ed was very negative towards Fausto. Ed began referring to Fausto as gay boy. He used this term frequently, particularly when he was having a bad day."

Mr Gismondi said: "Gayle also made me aware that whenever he did discuss me with her, he would refer to me as gay boy. I was extremely upset and offended by his use of that term."

Mr Gismondi's live-in partner, Eifion Shaw Swinnerton, a police officer with the Cleveland Police specialising in race and diversity training, said: "When Mr Tutty became Fausto's line manager I began to see changes in Fausto. He would come home annoyed and angry.

"Often during the working day he would call me in a state of distress, sometimes in tears over the way he was being treated."

The case continues next year when Mr Tutty is expected to give evidence.