Daniel Brocklebank says homophobic trolls don’t abuse him as much anymore because he “calls them out”.
The Coronation Street actor admits he still receives cruel comments for playing homosexual vicar Billy Mayhew on the ITV soap, and while the abuse “still exists”, he says people “do it less now” since he started pointing out their comments.
When asked if he “gets much grief” on social media for playing the cobbles character, he said: “I do. I choose to highlight it, actually.
“I think it’s important to highlight in 2019 that it still exists.
“People do it less now because I call them out on Twitter, so I think they’ve stopped because they know I’ll highlight it.
“I think it’s important that we can show that religion and homosexuality can go together.
“Because obviously they are two subjects which are often opposing in most religions. It has been good to represent that.”
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Daniel remained coy on speculation Corrie may be set to follow in EastEnders‘ footsteps by getting its very own gay bar, and admitted he hopes Billy will run the establishment if one does pop up in Weatherfield.
He said: “Not as far as I know – if there is I hope Billy is running it.”
The 39-year-old star recently put pen to paper on a new Corrie deal, but admitted he would be open to more stage work in the future after winning All Star Musicals.
Quizzed on whether this could open doors for him, he told Good Morning Britain: “I suppose so.
“I am still in Corrie I have just signed another contract for there. I am absolutely not leaving there.”
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