Twitter users slam ‘disgusting’ gay kiss on EastEnders

Twitter users have complained after two male characters locked lips on EastEnders.

The show this week introduced Jonny Labey as Paul Coker  – a new male love interest for existing character Ben Mitchell – and they wasted no time in kissing.

Coker has already locked lips with the notorious character, currently played by Harry Reid – who was previously jailed for murder and has struggled with his sexuality.

After Coker’s arrival the pair began flirting, with Ben Mitchell admitting to fancying Paul. Despite previously dismissing his sexuality as a “phase”.

The pair later shared a passionate kiss – despite Ben still dating Abi Branning.

Huffington Post pointed out a number of viewers said they were “disgusted” with the pre-watershed kiss.

However, fans of the show quickly shut down the detractors:

Mitchell was previously at the heart of a love triangle with Sam Strike’s character Johnny Carter and Abi Branning (Lorna Fitzgerald).

Sam Strike quit the soap earlier this year – claiming: “I didn’t really feel like at the time my character was necessarily needed in EastEnders.”

Reid previously explained to Digital Spy of his character’s sexuality earlier this year: “Ben is a conniving bloke.

“He will come across as though he wants to change, but at the same time as he’s with Abi, he is very interested in Johnny.

“I think he’d quite like a secret gay life in which he can sleep with men, but on the outside, he is this straight guy who is with his girl.

“It’s a ‘better image’ for the Mitchells – that’s all it is. If he was a Beale, it probably wouldn’t be a problem, but because it is the Mitchell family, Ben thinks he needs that image of him with a woman by his side – whereas in the background he can do what he wants.”

“It is a very difficult subject as these sorts of things are sensitive, so it would be nice for people to see that there are people you can talk to.

“I think it’s good that they have incorporated this into the script as it’s something that needs to be covered.”

The soap is also set to introduce its first transgender character.

• Dec 01 2023

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