Same-sex soap couples now – sex symbol, Hollywood fame and debilitating illness

LGBTQ+ storylines in soaps may be quite a common idea nowadays, but in previous years, many proved to be true pioneers.

Soaps have long been used to discuss potentially touchy subjects, ranging from abortion, rape, murder, immigration and same-sex relationships. But as time marched on into the 21st century, society as a whole welcomed people from the LGBTQ+ community with open arms.

These storylines with intriguing characters have helped the actors playing them breach new territory in acting. For some, the story has been able to bring their careers to new heights never seen before.

READ MORE: Important LGBTQ+ moments in British soap history – first gay kiss to domestic abuse

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So, as another year of soaps comes to a tense end, Daily Star looks at where the stars of some of the most iconic same-sex relationships are now.

EastEnders – Syed and Christian

EastEnders took on the ground-breaking story for the Square when Syed Masood and Christian Clarke began a secret affair behind Syed’s wife Zainab’s back. The plot, acclaimed for its sensitivity, ended when Syed and Masood left Walford to start a new life together in 2012.

Since then, John Partridge and Marc Elliot have gone from strength to strength in their respective careers. Elliot, who played Syed on the BBC soap, has gone on to become a star of the theatre, taking on roles in well-known plays including Othello and City of Angels in his time away from the soap.

John, however, has seen his career skyrocket since leaving the Square over a decade ago. After a brief stint on Celebrity Big Brother in 2016, Partridge’s acting career began to take off landing roles on shows made by Netflix and the BBC, before returning to Walford later that year.

This added to his already well-known profile, having reached Hollywood in the late 1990s. In 1998, Partridge bagged the role of Rum Tum Tugger in the film adaptation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Cats, to critical acclaim.

Coronation Street – Sophie and Sian

Coronation Street broke the mould when it aired the first ever lesbian relationship between Sophie Webster, played by Brooke Vincent, and Sian Powers, played by Sacha Parkinson. The pair’s relationship blossomed well, but eventually never worked as Sian left Sophie at the altar.

Both Brooke and Sacha have kept their profile in the public eye, with Brooke continuing to portray Sophie on the well-loved ITV soap. Sacha, however, showed a more vulnerable side when in 2018 she opened up on her “debilitating” illness of endometriosis.

Parkinson explained in an Instagram post that she “had excruciating period pains growing up, often resulting in me taking days of school.” She eventually resorted to surgery in 2017 to remove cysts from her ovaries to help alleviate the pain.

Since the operation, Sascha beamed that she was a “completely new person”. Writing in another Instagram post, she said: “You don’t realise at the time how much the constant aches and feeling drained can strip elements of your personality.”

Hollyoaks – John-Paul and Craig

Hollyoaks has long been at the forefront of inclusion and diversity, which is reflected in John Paul and Craig’s blossoming relationship after both initially denying it. John Paul McQueen, played by James Sutton, and Craig Dean, played by Guy Burnet, were cemented in the soap world as a “supercouple” thanks to their huge fanbase.

The storylines were noted for their positive portrayal of queer relationships, and James specifically was nominated for a slew of awards for his portrayal. He also was nominated for a number of awards for his good looks, including the “Sexiest Male” award at the Inside Soap Awards.

Since then, the pair have continued to work in the business. Guy left the Channel 4 soap in 2008, but has gone on to achieve Hollywood fame, appearing in box office smashes Oppenheimer and Pitch Perfect 3. James continues to star in Hollyoaks, having rejoined the cast in 2019.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk