UK soap star Kieron Richardson came out
gay on Wednesday, gay entertainment website AfterElton.com reported.
Richardson made his announcement during
an appearance on UK chat show This Morning.
The 24-year-old Richardson is best
known for playing the role of bad boy Ste Hay on the long-running
Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks.
During his television appearance to
discuss the upcoming gay storyline of his character, Richardson
confirmed rumors that he's gay.
“I feel that … the storyline is
relevant to some situations in my life,” he said.
“I am gay in real life and at
20-years-old I kind of accepted it myself and now I can finally
relate to my character Ste, that he's 20 and he's going through
things I went through in my past,” he added. “All the viewers
know that Ste is now exploring his sexuality and turning gay.”
On the show, Richardson's character,
who has an abusive past, will become involved with drug dealer
Brendan Brady (played by Emmett J. Scanlan).
In a Twitter post, the actor said his
announcement has been received positively.
“Big thanks to everyone at This
Morning! Thanks for all your messages glad u support me I was
worried but now can breathe x.”
And later, he tweeted: “thanks read
all messages and means a lot … the only negative 2 people are
bizzarly gay, but like I said its naturally normal, not a joke.”