Another gay character for Emmerdale
ITV soap Emmerdale is to get another gay character.
Former Hollyoaks actor Marc Silcock is to play new character Jackson Walsh, who will be a potential love interest for Aaron Livesy, played by Danny Miller.
Aaron began to question his sexuality in December after trying to kiss his friend Adam Barton (Adam Thomas). He attempted to escape gossip by beginning a relationship with Adam’s sister Holly (Sophie Powles) but Holly is set to end the brief romance.
Digital Spy reports that after the relationship with Holly ends, Aaron plucks up the courage to visit a gay bar and is surprised to find Jackson takes an interest in him.
Emmerdale series producer Gavin Blyth told the entertainment website: “Like Aaron, Jackson’s a very contemporary gay character – he’s not a stereotype. He’s someone who exists in his own right in the world because of who he is – not what he is in terms of his sexuality. We’ve got to realise that for everything that Aaron’s fighting, if he’s ever going to let anyone in, it’s going to be someone he can relate to.
“I also stated from the outset that I wanted Aaron’s tale to be a very modern story of someone not only wrestling with their sexuality but also loathing himself at times for it and (wrongly) fearing other people judging him. If we’re to play a relationship of any sense as Aaron moves forward, I want it to be a very real one, not based on clichés or stereotypes.”
Silcock, who played Newt’s imaginary alter-ego Eli in Hollyoaks, said he was “thrilled” to be joining the Emmerdale cast.
Yesterday, it was revealed that Coronation Street will feature its first lesbian storyline.
Sophie Webster (Brooke Vincent) and Sian Power (Sacha Parkinson) will embark on an implicit” and “emotional” romance, Vincent told the Sun.
