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Welcome to this week’s edition of Gays of our Lives. The gays are busy on EastEnders as Ben finds out about Abi’s lies and Johnny Carter returns home to a house full of secrets. With all the emotional turmoil, both Ben and Johnny make life changing decisions about their futures. While, in Emmerdale, Aaron’s rape trial begins. It’s a tense and ugly situation — and it has a permanent effect on Aaron and Robert’s relationship. Plus, the usual spoilers and teasers, including some bad news for Iolo on People of the Valley. All this and more!
First though, some casting news…
Actor Marc Elliot
Marc Elliot (left), whom many of you might remember played gay Muslim Syed Masood on EastEnders is joining the UK medical drama Holby City as a love interest for Dr. Dominic Copeland, played by out actor David Ames. Elliot will portray Dr. Issac Mayfield in a romantic saga with Dom that will play out over 6 months starting in June.
Meanwhile, speaking of EastEnders, Elliot’s former co-star John Patridge, who played Syed’s lover Christian is returning to EE later this year in a new storyline involving Christian and his sister Jane. No word on how long Christian will be sticking around.
As for other soap returns, it’s been rumored for months that Freddie Smith would be returning t
o Days of Our Lives in the role of Sonny Kiriakis. Last week Soap Opera Digest finally confirmed the news. Look for Sonny to return to Salem in July. Why Sonny is back and how long he’s going to stay is yet unknown. Our guess it’s a brief stint to wrap up Paul’s storyline as Salem writes out their last gay character.
Finally, Daniel Brockleback (right), who plays gay vicar Billy Mayhew on Coronation Street, like most of the gays on that show, haven’t had much of a storyline.
For Mayhew that’s about to change though. CS is about to introduce a shady figure from Billy’s past that will shed some light on a history that Billy would rather no one know anything about. Who this person is and when they’ll appear remains to be seen.
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I hadn’t even thought about that, Ryan. More proof that Emmerdale drops the ball when it comes to courtroom drama. Gordon’s barrister should have been able to cast so much doubt on all the testimony against him that the jury would reach a verdict before any of them needed a bathroom break.
I wouldn’t call it a personality transplant. His lying/scheming side is mostly in the background at the moment because the show hasn’t done much to put stress on him or tempt him. It still shows up from time to time like when he bribed Ryan or walked away from a dying Lawrence. What I don’t understand is why everyone has a memory of a goldfish. Someone should express some objection or at least ambivalence.
It’s strange how they just dropped the question of Aaron’s fake alibi. Aaron never had to explain why he would go to a pub with Gordon. Having to choose between going to jail and letting his abuser go free would be a compelling dilemma. It would also be interesting for there to be a cost to one of the many fake alibis that get thrown around.
Oh yes! Let’s not forget the delicious Tom Pepper!
I’d be dead chuffed if they didn’t go with the very obvious and very illogical Ben Johnny coupling; I mean why would a young man aspiring to become a lawyer be attracted to a geeky violent, not really proud mechanic? Especially if he can have dreamy Andy with his dreamy eyes and big strong muscular body :D
Speaking about Jonny Labey I heard he’s doing a play in August and that he might take a break from the show, hopefully that doesn’t mean Ben will try to sniff our Johnny, that’ll be wrong!
Exactly and are we supposed to believe Chas welcomes Robert with open arms, even after he “accidentally” murdered Katie her best mate, as she said oh so many times?
I like having a scheming kinda evil gay/bisexual guy but don’t try to give him a personality transplant and expect us to buy it, just don’t. Aaron and Rob are an affair, and Robert was saying Chrissie gets bored easily doesn’t he bore easily as well? What’s so special about Aaron since there were so many before him? I used to like them at first but now I am about to get fed up with this whole charade to please WaaAron and Rob’s fans.
What frustrates me is that Robert hasn’t really shown any evidence that he’s reformed. It was only a few weeks ago when he was bribing witnesses and putting Aaron’s case in danger without his knowledge. The lesson that he seems to have taken from that is that he should be more careful rather than that his habit of lying and scheming to get his way repeatedly escalates beyond his control.
Did Robert ever even apologize for all the things that he did to Aaron and his family or was it one of those fake apologies where an abuser says that they can’t live without them as if it’s the fault of the other person for taking steps to protect themselves?
Let’s hope .. I love both Marc Elliott and David Ames, so am eagerly anticipating their story on Holby.
I’m liking Ted’s version of Johnny as well. He also reads more academic than Strike did, so the law school angle is more believable. And several are speculating about Linford and Andy (the two hot construction guys) – one or both. (Leon Lopez who plays Linford is gay IRL, and was the director of the gay indie film, “Soft Lad,” that Jonny Labey starred in prior to EastEnders.) Glad to see them using Andy in Martin’s predicament.
First of all I just wanna say it’s amazing that you’re still doing this Anthony I love your columns and I find myself agreeing with most of what you write.
I am not and never will be a hardcore fan of a gay (or straight) couple, I do like gay couples getting exposition and all, but I have to admit this whole Robron thing is not to my taste at all, using a rape storyline to get them back together? Not cool… If the show wanted them together they shouldn’t have pushed Robert’s deeds so far, I mean kidnapping and attempted murder are hardly things that can be forgiven or forgotten about so easily. I also agree that since they have gone through so much trouble to put them back together, why bother rocking their relationship with something so stupid as Aaron’s little sister being a pain in the arse?
I’m so falling for Ted’s Johnny, unlike the previous actor who was more of a standard Hollywood pretty boy, this Johnny looks like he could be Lee’s little brother. And I also appreciate how Ted doesn’t look as uncomfortable as Sam, who clearly wasn’t excited to play a gay character… What I loved the most though was that the Carters actually returned to that funny cool atmosphere they had when they first moved in; Johnny really is the glue that holds all the family together. I hope with all my heart that we won’t have a love triangle, maybe a friendship between Paul and Johnny but nothing else… If Johnny and Andy (the hot older builder whose actor actually liked tweets speculating about him and Johnny) could start something, I think it’ll be great to see Lida’s protective side back up as she doesn’t her son dating someone older.
Emmerdale has never been good at courtroom stories, but this one had me wondering why this case was even in court at all. The way it was written, there was no physical evidence and not much more in the way of other evidence. Any mediocre defense lawyer could discredit each witness on Aaron’s behalf with minimal effort. From what we saw, I don’t think I would have convicted Gordon if I was a juror.
And having a teenager like Liv move in with a brother she only met a few months ago instead of with her mother is illogical.
I’m completely charmed by NuJohnny on EastEnders – and I loved Old Johnny. Regardless of the actor, the character is a breath of fresh air and I look forward to seeing what stories he’s involved in.
I had read that Marc Elliott was joining Holby City but didn’t know it was as a love interest for Dom. I’ve felt bad for Dom ever since Lee took advantage of him and hope he finds some happiness.