Coronation Street Star Peter Ash Breaks Silence on Gay Actors and Their Roles: ‘My Opinion Hasn’t Changed!

Peter Ash and Daniel Brocklebank recently made history in Coronation Street as the first gay couple to have a successful wedding on the show. The actors, who portray the couple Paul and Billy, have now shared their thoughts on the ongoing debate about whether gay roles should only be played by gay actors.

On Monday (2 October), Coronation Street aired the emotional double wedding of Paul (Ash) and Billy (Brocklebank), with one ceremony held at the Bistro and another in a church, paying homage to Billy’s role as an archdeacon. Despite the joyous occasion, the newlyweds now face challenges with Paul’s Motor Neurone Disease diagnosis and the fallout from homophobic backlash that led to Billy’s suspension from the Church. Speaking with PinkNews, both stars expressed their pride in being part of this groundbreaking storyline on the popular ITV soap.

The wedding of Paul and Billy marks a milestone for LGBTQ+ representation on Coronation Street, succeeding where other queer couples have fallen short. For example, Kate and Rana’s wedding never took place due to Rana’s tragic death just before the ceremony, while Sophie and Sian’s big day ended in heartbreak at the altar.

Peter Ash, who plays Paul Foreman, is straight in real life and has been in a relationship with nurse Amy Shawcross for nearly five years. Despite portraying a gay character, Ash believes that acting is about playing fictional roles, regardless of the actor’s personal identity. In a 2021 tweet, Ash commented on the debate sparked by It’s A Sin and Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies, who argued that queer actors bring a level of authenticity to LGBTQ+ roles. Ash stated that acting is “the art or occupation of performing fictional roles,” a stance that received mixed reactions from fans.

In an exclusive interview with PinkNews, Ash confirmed that his views have not changed. “My opinion stays the same,” Ash remarked. “It’s acting, and as long as you can portray the role authentically, that’s what matters.”

Daniel Brocklebank, who is openly gay and has played Billy Mayhew since 2014, added his perspective: “Our job is to pretend to be people we’re not. If a gay person were rejected for a straight role because of their sexuality, that would be seen as homophobic. It’s about being right for the role, not about what someone does in their personal life.”

The debate remains a hot topic, but both actors are focused on bringing their characters to life, regardless of their off-screen identities.

Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1, except during the Rugby World Cup.