Monday, 29 March 2010

MORE CONTROVERSY FOR GAY 'ENDERS PLOT

Eastenders is to feature yet another controversial gay plot in the coming months...

Christian Clarke - played by Over The Rainbow judge John Partridge - has already set tongues wagging by having an affair with married Muslim Syed Masood, but events are set to take a turn for the worse later this year when the camp caterer is beaten up by an angry Muslim.

"It seems that Christian is going to take the brunt of Syed's problems. Syed and Amira's wedding achieved one of the highest ratings of the year, so we're expecting viewers to again be gripped when this storyline reaches its dramatic climax," a source told the ever-reliable Daily Star. Ahem.

However, the plot has already attracted criticism from various Muslim groups who claim it will show the religion's followers in a negative light.

"EastEnders is known for its gritty and realistic storylines but we cannot condone such violence from a Muslim character," said Tahir Shah from the Muslim Public Affairs Committee.

But not everybody was upset. Infamous gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell called the plot "groundbreaking", adding, "No storyline in any drama will ever reflect the totality of the many diverse gay lifestyles and experiences. Full credit to the BBC for having a gay Muslim character. The lives of gay Muslims are very rarely in the media." Quite right, Tatch!

e-mail this to a friend