Coronation Street finally got the coming out story for its black football player.
Back in April, we shared with you that popular British soap opera Coronation Street would be getting its first Black family and gay football player.
When asked why the show, that’s been running for 59-years, took so long to have a prominent Black family, show producer Iain MacLeod said:
“Short answer: I don’t really know. In the past, new families come in one at a time. I find that a harder way to do it, which is why they all turn up and you get the dynamic. Manchester has a large proportion of black residents so it did feel sort of overdue we did this and represented modern Manchester a bit more accurately.”
Within that family is 19-year-old James Bailey who was promised to be a gay professional football player. But, the show is only now getting to the point where James is openly coming out. James revealed his sexuality to his family in a recent episode of Coronation Street.
This revelation comes after James confided in waitress character Bethany Platt, but unfortunately, his brother Michael overheard the conversation. Once confronted on the topic, James confesses that he worried about facing prejudice. But the older brother gave his support and love instead.
Later, James tells his mother Aggie, and is shocked to hear she’s known for years. The mother then wishes for James to come out to his father Ed, but confesses to worrying about how Ed will take it.
If you want to see what happens next on Coronation Street, the show airs Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays on Virgin Media One and ITV at 7:30 pm and 8:30 pm British Summer Time.
