Coronation Street actor Dan Brocklebank has responded to the homophobic backlash after some viewers were “disgusted” to see a gay kiss aired on last night’s soap.
Brocklebank’s character of vicar Billy Mahew shared a passionate embrace in a hotel room with Todd Grimshaw (played by Bruno Langley).
Following the airing of the scene, Brocklebank took to Twitter to thank the majority of fans for their support, but acknowledged that he had received “a few” messages from “homophobes”.
Brocklebank later revealed that he had received “many angry tweets” since his initial tweet. “Let’s not hate on the homophobes. We’re bigger than that. Hate breeds more hate. They need love & education,” he added.
Read Brocklebank’s tweets below.
So many lovely, supportive & hilarious tweets about tonight's @itvcorrie!
Plus only a few from the homophobes! Maybe we're winning a little.— Daniel Brocklebank (@Dan_Brocklebank) September 5, 2016
Had many angry tweets saying "I'm disgusted my kids saw men kiss on tv"
I'm disgusted they left it up tv to teach their kids how love works— Daniel Brocklebank (@Dan_Brocklebank) September 5, 2016
Mum: See youve educated/annoyed the bigots again
Me: Itd seem so
Mum: Im proud. How funny they choose the term "gag" or "rammed down throat"— Daniel Brocklebank (@Dan_Brocklebank) September 6, 2016
Thanks for ur AMAZING messages! Let's not hate on the homophobes. We're bigger than that. Hate breeds more hate. They need love & education.
— Daniel Brocklebank (@Dan_Brocklebank) September 6, 2016
The scene in question can be viewed beneath.
Meanwhile, Coronation Street were forced to apologise last week after airing what many deemed as a racist joke.