John Partridge has claimed homophobia is rife in showbiz. The former EastEnders star thinks it’s tougher to get top acting roles if you’re gay. He said: “There aren’t that many roles for gay men in theatre, television or film.

“Unfortunately even today you can’t name me one A-list movie star who is out and queer. People think because we are queer that we can’t play a straight character. They think the audience won’t believe the character. That’s homophobia.”

 

 

John has even experienced anti-gay hate in the industry over the years. He said: “I went for a role and a director told me the producers said they did not want me because I had played a p**** in Albert Square. They were quite open about that. That’s a prime example. That is one story of many. Talk to any gay actor and they will have stories.

 

 

“There is a ceiling and we have got to kick through it. I want it to be an even playing field.”

John is currently starring in a play about homophobia in Hollywood in the 1950s. The Code is running at Southwark Playhouse Elephant in London. He said: “It looks at how Hollywood is a town built by gay people that actively excludes them. We need more shows like this.”

This comes after Eastenders legend Steve McFadden, who plays notorious hard man Phil Mitchell, has said that working on the soap has become “really hard graft” in recent times.

 

 

Steve’s character has had a series of miserable storylines which has made working on set pretty gruelling for him.

He said: “Working on EastEnders is hard work. The past 35 years have been tough. But the past year has been particularly hard.

“It’s not a walk in the park. It’s really hard graft. A lot of it is quite dark. It takes a lot out of you. When I do panto, that’s fun. But EastEnders isn’t.”

Over the past year Steve has been tasked with doing his darkest storyline yet. Troubled Phil started suffering from depression that was so severe he had psychotic episodes. Then in harrowing scenes, he even attempted to take his own life.

 

 

He said: “It’s been tough. But that’s what the producers and directors and writers want. They want us to graft and go to the edge. They got the most they could out of me.”

However, Steve’s performance has been praised by viewers. Many are pleased to see such important issues being explored on screen.

John Partridge has claimed homophobia is rife in showbiz. The former EastEnders star thinks it’s tougher to get top acting roles if you’re gay. He said: “There aren’t that many roles for gay men in theatre, television or film.

“Unfortunately even today you can’t name me one A-list movie star who is out and queer. People think because we are queer that we can’t play a straight character. They think the audience won’t believe the character. That’s homophobia.”

John has even experienced anti-gay hate in the industry over the years. He said: “I went for a role and a director told me the producers said they did not want me because I had played a p**** in Albert Square. They were quite open about that. That’s a prime example. That is one story of many. Talk to any gay actor and they will have stories.

“There is a ceiling and we have got to kick through it. I want it to be an even playing field.”

John is currently starring in a play about homophobia in Hollywood in the 1950s. The Code is running at Southwark Playhouse Elephant in London. He said: “It looks at how Hollywood is a town built by gay people that actively excludes them. We need more shows like this.”

This comes after Eastenders legend Steve McFadden, who plays notorious hard man Phil Mitchell, has said that working on the soap has become “really hard graft” in recent times.

Steve’s character has had a series of miserable storylines which has made working on set pretty gruelling for him.

He said: “Working on EastEnders is hard work. The past 35 years have been tough. But the past year has been particularly hard.

“It’s not a walk in the park. It’s really hard graft. A lot of it is quite dark. It takes a lot out of you. When I do panto, that’s fun. But EastEnders isn’t.”

Over the past year Steve has been tasked with doing his darkest storyline yet. Troubled Phil started suffering from depression that was so severe he had psychotic episodes. Then in harrowing scenes, he even attempted to take his own life.

He said: “It’s been tough. But that’s what the producers and directors and writers want. They want us to graft and go to the edge. They got the most they could out of me.”

However, Steve’s performance has been praised by viewers. Many are pleased to see such important issues being explored on screen.