The news that Channel 4 had recently received some complaints about a gay couple, Kieron and John Paul, kissing on Hollyoaks was clearly as surprising to many fans as it was to the programme makers.
Firstly, I’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone for your comments and support (both in the forums and on the TV show site) for Hollyoaks’ recent storyline featuring Kieron and John Paul. It’s great to see that, despite the few complaints received by Channel 4, in general Hollyoaks fans are supportive of our gay characters and the related storylines.
I was all set to talk about the kiss on The TV Show last week, but I didn’t get to… all because of that pig!
Actually, what I was going to say echoes what has been said in the forums already. Both Channel 4 and the makers of Hollyoaks firmly believe that homosexual and heterosexual relationships should be represented equally. The regulations for what we can show pre-watershed are exactly the same for gay and straight couples in drama or factual programming. Sexuality and how it informs your identity is obviously very important in young people’s lives and as Hollyoaks is aimed at a teenage audience this is not an issue we are going to avoid or water-down unnecessarily.
As viewers of the show will know, Hollyoaks isn’t a children’s programme and has never been marketed as such; we want to provide viewers with relevant, dramatic, and engaging storylines. At the same time, we take the responsibility of deciding what is and what isn’t suitable for broadcast in the Hollyoaks time slot very seriously. This is particularly important for storylines that deal with sex (gay or straight!) as well as violence and drugs. Working this out often proves to be quite a subtle balancing act and there is an ongoing dialogue between the producers of Hollyoaks and Channel 4 to try and make sure we get it right. Please let us know how you think we’re doing..
Now the serious stuff is out the way, I thought I should let you know that we have some juicy storylines coming up to take us through the summer – late June sees Steph and Max’s wedding plans hanging by a thread and we’ll finally find out if Max gets the happy ending he deserves. Some dramatic events for Kieron and John Paul run along side this and it’s a dark and confusing time for Newt.
We know Hollyoaks is great but how could we make it even better? Is there a subject you’d like to see the show tackle? Please do keep the feedback coming in, we really do appreciate it!
Marianne x
Commentsoldest first
Right. Is There Anyway Hollyoaks Can Kill Niall Or Something? Loads Of People Find Him Boring And He Killed Kieron So I HATE him like.
That man Is pure evil. Maybe he should confess to killing Kieron so that JP can Be Happy. If he told Myra She’d go balistic! It’d be great!
Also, JP doesnt Want to be happy now cuz he thought keiron topped himself over him, but he didnt. Just get the truth out! It’s breaking my heart watching everyone so upset!
is kieron return in future? I was upset He is dead! I like him as he is lovely a man and John Paul will be happy if he alive. I hate Niall.
Why kieron leave hollyoak?
I think that its best to be yourself, whether, gay bi or straight.
I think homophobics are afraid of whats different, they cant accept that people like the same sex.
im glad niall is dead, it was cruel that he tried to kill his family and killed kieran
OMG niall is dead. good move people!
ermm storylines i would like to seee… probablly something mager going wrong at Louise and Warrens wedding, but that will probs already happen, weedings are never normal in Hollyoaks. So maybe something more happening on the Sarah Zoe thing that would be funny
I think Hollyoaks is mintt by the way !
I hate that the producers decided to kill Kieron, and that they acted like his death meant nothing. Can we please have a do over with this?
I was SO pleased when the McDean storyline began as it was an honest and moving love story which dealt with all the complexities of teen romance and ‘coming out’. That dealt with, bringing other characters like Kieron and Spike into the story allowed the portrayal of normal, fairly angst-free gay relationships, which is so important for young people dealing with their sexuality. I can’t see what there is to be offended by – just very sweet loving relationships! Hopefully now Kris and Ravi will continue the tradition into the future…
There is absolutly no problem with a gay couple who care for each other kissing.
This is something I find annoying is when people complain about a same-sex couple kissing, but when it come down to the conventional apparently conforming ’straight’ couple no one bats an eyelid.
Why should a same-sex couple only show affection post-water shed, if this is the case it should be for all couples no matter what their sexual orientation.
This is why I congratulate Hollyoaks on it’s portrayal of both gay/bi characters.
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