First lesbian storyline for Coronation Street
Coronation Street is set for its first lesbian storyline with characters Sophie Webster and Sian Power.
The relationship between Sophie (Brooke Vincent) and Sian (Sacha Parkinson) will be “implicit” and “emotional”, Vincent said.
Speaking to the Sun, the actress said: “The story’s quite cleverly done. It’s going to be implicit, not explicit, and we want that to come across. It’s emotional and more about the feelings.”
The storyline will also see Sophie and her sister Rosie put their differences aside over the new relationship.
The warring pair are usually shown bickering but Sophie will find an unlikely source of support in her sister.
Helen Flanagan, who plays Rosie Webster, said: “You’ll be surprised at how she reacts. She will stand by Sophie. When you love your sister, you support her.”
In August, gay Corrie actor Antony Cotton criticised the soap for not having enough gay characters.
The actor, who plays Sean Tully, said:
“The story goes that one in person in ten is gay. We’ve got 70 people in ours [Coronation Street] so there should be seven gay characters at least.
“Especially as Weatherfield is the gayest place on the planet as far as female characters are concerned! It’s the campest show on TV at times.”
Gay charity Stonewall estimates that between six and nine per cent of the population is gay.
Coronation Street did not have any gay activity until 2003, despite its massive gay fanbase.
