Hollyoaks boss 'gets told off all the time' for making Channel 4 soap 'too gay'

Bryan Kirkwood admits that storylines can sometimes get too 'preachy' and put people off

Hollyoaks has featured many gay relationships in its storylines (Channel 4)

Hollyoaks’ executive producer has revealed that he “gets told off all the time” for making the Channel 4 soap “too gay”.

The popular TV series has featured many gay relationships and cast its first transgender character played by a trans actress last month, but Bryan Kirkwood often receives complaints from viewers.

“We get told off all the time for being too gay and having too many gay characters,” he told the Daily Star. “I don’t think you can be too gay, frankly. The idea that people object to two boys kissing is really bizarre to me.”

Recent storylines have included a ‘Hollypride’ festival, Ste Hay contracting HIV after a one-night stand and Grace Black seducing Kim Butterfield to try and save herself from blackmail.

Kirkwood, former EasterEnders boss, does admit that Hollyoaks can sometimes become “preachy”.

“Sometimes it has been like we are hitting the audience over the head with a pamphlet,” he said. “We have to keep that lightness of touch, otherwise it becomes a little too worthy for its own good.”

Earlier this year, Kirkwood concluded that the soap “made mistakes” with its storyline about a Nigerian gay asylum seeker who suffered homophobic violence from immigration officers.

“We disappeared so far up our own arse,” he said.