Hollyoaks star: I get annoyed when people ask if I’m gay in real life – I’m also not an English teacher
A straight Hollyoaks star appeared to get exasperated at questions about his sexuality because he plays a gay character tweeted to note that unlike his character, he is also not an English teacher.
Responding to a Twitter user who asked if he was gay in real life, James Sutton, who plays John Paul McQueen in Hollyoaks, replied sarcastically to say: “No. And weirdly I’m not an English teacher in Chester either.”
Sutton reprised his role in the soap after a four-year absence from the show in December 2012.
“@fox_isobel: @thejamessutton but you’re gf?? Ur not gay in real life??” No. And weirdly I’m not an English teacher in Chester either.
— James Sutton (@thejamessutton) January 14, 2014
Sutton went on to urge followers not to be mean to the follower who asked the question, but did explain why he responded that way.
He said: “I guess sexuality isnt [sic] really a big deal to me so I sometimes get a bit bored of the whole ‘are you gay in real life’ question.
“NB. the character I play in Hollyoaks isnt defined by his sexuality, nor should anyone be. Its just not, for me, a conversation worth having”
The plot, one of several extra-dramatic storylines to celebrate the soap’s 18th year on air, featured long-time gay character John Paul McQueen, now a teacher.