Tag: EastEnders
All the latest breaking news on EastEnders. Browse The THEGAYUK’s complete collection of features and commentary on EastEnders.
-
EastEnders Introduces Its First Trans Character Played By Trans Actor
Riley Carter Millington, 21, will be joining the cast of EastEnders as Kyle, a transgender character.
Riley’s casting is the first time a UK television soap opera has ever had a transgender actor playing a transgender character in a continuing role.
Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Executive Producer,announced earlier this year that he was creating a transgender character and he was determined to have a transgender actor in the role. Following that announcement, a number of transgender actors put themselves forward for the role and, as well as working alongside groups within the transgender community, EastEnders undertook workshops to find an actor. As soon as they found Riley, the character of Kyle was developed and created.
EastEnders is Riley’s first television role. Riley’s first appearance as Kyle will be on screen this month (October 2015) but little will be known about his mysterious character for quite some time. Following this brief appearance, Riley will return permanently at the end of the year.
Speaking of joining EastEnders, Riley said “I am extremely excited to be joining EastEnders. I can honestly say that I have now fulfilled my two biggest dreams – to be living my life as a man and to be an actor. I cannot wait to really get stuck in with filming and I look forward to seeing what is in store for my character.”
Dominic Treadwell- Collins, Executive Producer adds “From Mark Fowler’s HIV to Colin and Barry’s first gay kiss, EastEnders has always led the way in changing audience’s perceptions about ‘difference’ – and ultimately making the world a better place. It has been my intention for a long time to cast a trans actor playing a trans role – and we have been so careful to ensure that we cast the right actor for the part. I’ve sat in many acting workshops over the years with our Casting Executive Julia Crampsie and her team – but never have we been so moved by the incredible life stories and wealth of talent that we experienced over our several weeks of workshops with transgender actors. The people we met showed us a strength and bravery that took our breath away – and to go through as much as they have while maintaining humour and a positive view on the world is testament to what special people we met.
In Riley, we have found not just a talented actor but also an inspirational young man whose warmth immediately comes through the screen. And this isn’t about tokenism. Alex Lamb and his story team have worked with Riley to create an EastEnders character who is fresh and relatable – but also comes with his own stock of secrets and is going to be thrown right into one of our biggest stories for the end of the year. I hope that the audience will take Riley and his character to their hearts as quickly as everyone here at EastEnders has done.”
-
Ben Mitchell And Paul Coker Get Caught In The Act
Major awks ahead for Ben Mitchell in Eastenders as he and Paul Coker are caught in the act by his pa Phil.
It seems the pair have a thing for risky places to make whoopie, the last time they were at it, the frisky pair were in a room with a corpse, in a funeral parlour. The amorous scene landed the Beeb in trouble when concerned members of the public made official complaints.This time Phil Mitchell catches Ben and Paul in the middle of the act. Up until now Ben’s sexuality has been kept under wraps from his family. Fair to say, Phil is stunned to have stumbled in on the pair.A shocked Phil takes in the scene as the love birds sheepishly put their clothes back on.. But we’ll have to wait to see how Walford’s hard man reacts to the revelation that his son is gay. -
EastEnders Newcomer Victim Of Online Homophobic Abuse
EastEnders’ newcomer Jonny Labey has spoken out about the homophobic threats he’s received online.
The star whose character, Paul Coker had an on-screen romp with Ben Micthell, which attracted 48 official complaints to OFCom has also been a target for abuse on social media.
Speaking to GT in their new issue, Jonny said that feedback on the scene and his character was:
“…all very positive, I thought, but it wasn’t until I got curious and started nosing around that I found the negative ones.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s gay or not, there’s people that don’t agree or aren’t comfortable watching. It’s 2015, you need to move on from this stupid discrimination against gay men!
“People would’ve been fine if it was a guy and a girl kissing.”
-
Top Stories: Enrique, Harry’s Foreskin, Essential Gay Films and My First Porn
From Enrique Inglesias’s penis selfie to the BBC defending an implied gay sex scene, here are the top 6 stories you read on TheGayUK this week.
First off when pop star hunk Enrique took a selfie of his penis on a fan’s camera, the world went wild for it, despite not actually seeing the “hero”. We’ve been searching for the camera on which he took the picture ever since.
Then a Canadian penis activist made news when he wanted every teenage fan to know that Harry Styles has a foreskin. He is on a crusade to get people, especially in the US, to know that foreskins are beautiful and natural… okay.
Our very own Greg Mitchell made a splash with his column on his very first porn shoot. Greg shared his experience of working for a top US porn producer.
The BBC found itself having to defend an “implied” sex scene between Ben Mitchell and Paul Coker after 48 complaints were made to OfCom.
Openly gay Conservative candidate for London Mayor Ivan Massow released an interesting campaign in which he said he wanted to stay overnight with a new Londoner every night for 30 nights.
and finally…
Also the Scottish Pride event, Free Pride, came under intense criticism this week after it decided to ban all non-trans drag queen from performing at its event. It later reversed it’s policy after becoming the focus of international headlines.
-
EastEnders Defends Ben Mitchell Gay Sex Scene
EastEnders producers have defended the gay sex scene between the characters Ben Mitchell and Paul Coker saying the sex was implied rather than explicit.
The scene which attracted 48 complaints to OfCom has been defended by the BBC with a spokesperson saying,
“The millions of regular ‘EastEnders’ fans who tune in each week know and expect dramatic storylines.”
“We are always mindful of our time slot in which we are shown and the scenes in question were implied and not explicit.”
This isn’t the first time the BBC has had to defend gay storylines on EastEnders, in 1987 the BBC received a record number of complaints when Colin kissed a then under age Barry.
The fallout from the kiss raised questions in the House of Commons.
-
Ben Mitchell Gay Sex Scene On EastEnders Attracts 48 Complaints
An implied gay sex scene could land the BBC in trouble with OfCom after 48 complaints were made to the regulatory body.
A scene between the characters Ben Mitchell (Harry Reid) and Paul Coker saw the pair getting topless and kissing in front of an open coffin in a funeral parlour.
Speaking to Digital Spy, a spokesperson for the BBC said,
“The millions of regular ‘EastEnders’ fans who tune in each week know and expect dramatic storylines.
“We are always mindful of our time slot in which we are shown and the scenes in question were implied and not explicit.”
OfCom commented that it would access the complaints before deciding whether it needs to investigate or not.
-
EastEnders: Kat And Alfie Get Their Own Show
EastEnders’ favourites, Kat and Alfie, will be taking a break from Walford later this year but even though they are leaving Albert Square they will not be leaving BBC One as they will star in their very own drama series.
BBC Life has been a rollercoaster for the on/off lovers over the past few months but Kat and Alfie soon reunite and have the opportunity to put their past behind them. Only this time viewers can follow, when the episodes air in 2016 them as they head out of Walford to start a new life in six hour long episodes for BBC1
The six part drama series has been created by Dominic Treadwell-Collins, EastEnders Executive Producer and it will be written and produced by the EastEnders team.
Speaking about the new drama, Dominic said “In the next few weeks on EastEnders, viewers will witness several huge twists for Kat and Alfie Moon that will change their lives forever. Now is the perfect time to take two of EastEnders’ most beloved and enduring characters out of their comfort zone as they head to Ireland to search for answers to some very big questions… My team here are very excited about creating a whole new drama that stands apart from EastEnders while taking our style of storytelling to a place of stories, myth, secrets and immeasurable beauty.”
Charlotte Moore, Controller BBC One added “Life is anything but dull for favourite EastEnders couple Kat and Alfie as they embark on a new life in Ireland in this exciting drama series. Rest assured, their rollercoaster isn’t set to end any time soon.”
Speaking of their new drama Shane said “Both Jessie and I are absolutely thrilled to be given this amazing opportunity. To have a whole drama focussed around Kat and Alfie is a huge honour for us both and we just can’t wait to start filming.”
Jessie Wallace added “I have always loved working on EastEnders so when I heard of this new drama to take Kat and Alfie outside of Walford, I couldn’t believe our luck. To be exploring the next chapter for Kat as well as working alongside my best mate, Shane, is a dream come true and a huge compliment.”
-
EastEnders To Make History By Introducing a Trans Character
Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Executive Producer of Eastenders, revealed at National Student Pride this afternoon that he is set to create a trans character for the iconic British soap.
-
EastEnders: Top 10 Gayest Moments Of EastEnders
To celebrate the fact that Eastenders has been one of the beacons of LGBT storylines, we’ve decided to discover the gayest moments of the landmark soap, which has been at the forefront of gay storylines.
In date order….
10) Underage At The Time 1987
In 1987 Colin Russel (Michael Cashman) And Barry Clark (Gary Hailes) labelled by the Sun, as “two yuppie poofters” were the first gay couple on EastEnders. Their first kiss received a record number of complaints, even more than a Celebrity Big Brother with Perez… At the time, the age of sexual consent for gay people was 21. The police were more concerned with the pairs’ relationship rather than a break-in at their home. Barry ends his relationship when the police tell his parents.
9) Dot Starts AIDS Rumours 1988
9) Dot Cotton (June Brown) spreads rumours that Colin has AIDS when she discovers Colin and Barry share the same bed. This was at the height of the AIDS epidemic and the storyline help frame the nation’s discussion towards the issue. Her rumours cause some of Walford to shun Colin. Despite this, Dot and Colin forge a strong relationship.
8) The Most Watched Gay Kiss 1989
Colin and Guido Smith (Nicholas Donovan), had a cheeky snog in 1989 in front of an audience of 17-million viewers – the world’s most watched gay kiss in a soap.
7) When The Curious Guy And The Bi Guy Get It Together 1996
Tony Hills (Mark Homer) And Simon Raymond (Andrew Lynford), Tony was a bit of bisexual lothario, having numerous relationships with men and women, most notably with Tiffany (Martine McCutcheon) – however after confiding with Simon, her brother, that he was confused about his sexuality, the pair get together. Tony and Simon drew some criticism for not being “gay” enough. Their first kissed caused controversy in the UK. Seeing a pattern here?
First Civil Partnership 2005
Christian Clarke (John Partridge) and Syed Masood (Marc Elliott) caused near hysteria with Daily Mail readers with their pre-watershed romantic moments. Hurrah we say. They were the first gay couple to celebrate a civil partnership.
5) Curious Steven Beale 2008
4) Steven Beale (Aaron Sidwell) A confused Steven tries to get together with Stacey, however, can’t, forcing him to question his sexuality, leading to kissing Christian Clarke. Speaking about the kiss, Aaron, who identifies as straight said it was a ‘cracking scene.’
4) Youngest Coming Out 2011
A 15-year-old Ben Mitchell(Joshua Pascoe) tells Christian Clarke that he gay, being the youngest character to come out on EastEnders.
3) When Johnny Kissed Gary 2013
3) When Johnny Carter (Sam Strike) and bisexual Danny Pennant (Gary Lucy) shared a kiss the BBC received just two complaints, however, comments on social media weren’t so kind.
2) When Johnny Came Out 2014
Johnny Carter coming out to his pa, Mick Carter was a landmark moment for EastEnders, so well judged and superbly acted – it brought a tear to our eye.
1) The death of Paul Coker
Beaten in a tragic anti-gay attack, Ben Mitchell’s boyfriend dies in hospital. Many people took to social media to say how important the storyline was to highlighting violence against LGBT people.
-
Here It Is: The Johnny Carter And Ben Mitchell Kiss
After weeks of will they? won’t they?, is he?, isn’t he?, Ben Mitchell and Johnny Carter finally share a smooch.
CREDIT: (C) BBC – Photographer: Kieron McCarron
