Christian Institute: Coronation Street’s gay vicar storyline is ‘detached from reality’

The Christian Institute has condemned a gay vicar storyline on Coronation Street as “detached from reality,” asking why there aren’t more stories of “sympathetically portrayed” evangelical ministers instead.

It is claimed that the character ‘Billy’ – played by Daniel Brocklebank – is the first gay vicar character in a UK soap.

Producer Stuart Blackburn has the character’s relationship “very modern.”

However, Simon Calvert of the Christian Institute has called the storyline disappointing but not surprising.

“Coronation Street never seem to put churchmen like those you and I know on the show,” he said. “They go out of their way to squeeze LGBT storylines in, but how often do we have an evangelical minister sympathetically portrayed?

“Sadly this is more evidence of soaps getting ever more detached from reality.”

Previously, the Christian Institute has said there aren’t enough gays in UK to justify giving them equal rights.

In 2008, the organisation attacked an academic conference organised by a group that works to combat homophobic bullying in schools.

Coronation Street has seen over 102 on-screen weddings in its 53 years on air, but Paul Johnston and Andy Daniel from London last month became the first real-life couple to marry at the Rovers Return Inn.

• Dec 31 2024

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