They're few and far between really aren't they? Successful as in working well as a character, not in financial terms of course

Even Family Affairs, who have had loads, their worst two characters this year have been the friggin gay ones.

I can't think of a single decent gay character in Eastenders. Derek was alright but severely underused and may as well not have been gay at all. Tony and Simon, Della and Binnie...lol. I wonder if will break the mould...can't see it myself to be honest, although she's been better recently.

I know people will say I'm biased, but Emmerdale have probably been the most consistent. Zoe and Jason were both decent, and people seem to like Paul.

Corrie have got 2/2 right I suppose, though I can't say I ever liked Todd myself...

I reckon will be a huge success simply because he's already so likeable. And not only that but he'll be the only BI character won't he? Probably the first long-running bisexual character in any of the main soaps, unless he leaves.

I really liked Todd from corrie, I thought he was a good character, it was interesting how the character developed.Bruno langley was actually a good actor.

I can't say the same for sean, he is so annoying.The character is exactly the same as the actor who plays him. But I supose he's popular because people think he's funny.

Agree with the Sean comments... I've never taken to him.. everything i've seen him in he has played exactly the same type of character. My mum loves him, but if I acted like he did she'd be mortified

My mum loves him too but if my brother acted like that she'd die a thousand deaths. I quite like Paul in Emmerdale, not so sure about though. I find Shane in the X Factor competition constantly reminding me of Todd in Coronation Street.

I really like Paul in Emmerdale... the gay thing isn't his whole character like it is with, say, Sean. He is a defined character, with a history, who just so happens to be gay. With Sean, the whole reason for him being in Corrie was as a gay character... there was no backstory to him when he arrived.

I think Todd and Sean are both very successful, in the sense of being believable and very watchable. Sean is one of my favourite characters in Corrie.

I agree about Zoe, she was a great character (although towards the end her sexuality was so submerged she became 'a bit of a derek'). I used to find Paul very woodenly acted but he has got a lot better and I like him now.

I thought Colin was good in Easties, but none of Easties other gay characters, including the future storyline, do anything for me.

One of my favourite gay characters was Sean in FA. I agree Sammi et all are rubbish, but Sean was great. I loved his brief relationship with the supposedly hetero black guy (Brendan?). FA was great in those days.

But if I try to think of good lesbian characters, there really is only one - Zoe. (All the nonsense with Lindsey in Brookie - forget it!)

The best open gay character was Karl in corrie IMO.

Todd was great as a confused teen who developped in an open gay adult.

Sean is great, but he's more in the comedy stuff rather than the drama stuff

Lana in neighbours was quite good - although with it being neighbours it was done with very little controversy.

The only soaps I watch are EE, Corrie, H & A and Neighbours so I can only comment on those.

I think Corrie have got their gay characters exactly right. Todd, Karl and Sean are all completely different but so believeable. It was good to see three different kinds of gay character being used. It's a shame there's only Sean left now. I do love Sean though!

My least favourite gay characters in soap were Tony and Simon- they were just so dull and uninteresting! :yawn:

I like Gino in Neighbours. He's obviously gay but they've never made a big thing out of it, which I really like. I wish he would become a full time character!

Out of the soaps I watch though, I think that Corrie have had the most success with regards to their gay characters.

Laura xx

Me too - he is fan-bloody-tastic!!

I didn't like Sean at first, but he's grown on me and he feels like a more well-rounded character now. Yes the actor may be playing himself, but half the cast of every soap do. They are just given lines to read and that's it. That's not to discredit their acting, because you still need to deliver them convincingly and be able to show a wide range of emotions, facial expressions etc.

Paul is great though, they haven't really milked the Drag Queen thing, though I'd like to see Thelma Louise a little more often If only for those scenes with Shadrach...

Sean is exactly the same away from Corrie. I see him a few times in one of the clubs in London with *yeuch* Brian Dowling. Although, sometimes he brings Fizz and Molly and they're cool. Molly dances like a loon. She funny.

My mum would be the same if I acted like Sean (which to be fair I do sometimes just to get on her wick). But yes, she likes him too. But then she loved him in QAF. He was just the best thing since sliced bread.

God damn that woman!

I do too... drives her nuts!

Doesn't it just. Mind you, she is the woman, who said when I came out her, and I quote:

"Darren, you're aunty Lynn is having a fortieth birthday party and I've been invited, but I don't have anything to wear and I know gay mean have the best taste in clothes so will you come and help me get a new outfit Oh and I need a new bra too."

In one breath.

And she wonders why I wind her up...

Hehe

When I came out one of the first things my mum asked me was about facial products and sh*t like that, as if I'm automatically an expert just because I'm gay, lol. Which wound me up a bit...

a lot of people would say that it was good that they were dull and that there wasnt any trying it on with a straight person/stealing someones lover.
however i do agree!

We are experts though, in the same way as we know exactly how to colour co-ordinate the house, which soft furnishing should never be used, the best hair products to give shine, and whether or not Ricky Martin really is gay..

Yes...silly me. I must get off now, need to dust my Kylie ornaments and memorabilia, not to mention hoover my Madge duvet cover.

I still let my mum buy me clothes... she seems to know exactly what suits me... and i'm 26!! She has this camp mate in work who she adores... yet I called her "love" the other week and she went nuts.

Bye then. Don't forget to shed a tear for the ever wonderful Steps. I do every day you know.

In every way these two were the most BORING people on the earth gay or straight, stealing lovers or not they were as interesting as watching paint dry slowly.

Family Affairs is the most succsesful soap that introduces gay charcters. Not to over the top either.

Don't forget though that Tony was dating Simon's sister Tiffany and she walked in on them kissing each other- but even that couldn't liven them up; they remained boring, as did the storyline!

I thought it was a lot more interesting when Todd tried it on with his girlfriend's brother Nick in Corrie. Even though the kiss wasn't really a kiss. Just a brief touching of lips. It was way too overhyped (I blame the press! ), but I loved the aftermath of it all, especially Nick's reaction. I always thought he protested a bit TOO much lol! It was funny when he was in the Rovers asking Ashley if he comes across "gay" lol!

Laura xx

I really liked Colin on EE, as he was a positive role model to aspire to as a confused teen. I met Michael Cashman (the actor who played Colin) on a tube train once, and he was a lovely bloke.

Wan't Charity bi? She had an affair with Zoe didn't she.
I agree, Emmerdale has (/ has had) the best gay characters.