Bryan Kirkwood defends EastEnders gay bed scene

Christian and SyedBryan Kirkwood, the executive producer of EastEnders, has defended a scene which showed gay couple Christian Clarke and Syed Masood in bed together. The scene has prompted over 100 complains but the BBC has already defended the scene and Kirkwood has stated he stands by the decision to air the scene.

Media reports claim that 125 viewers complained about the scene which showed Christian (John Partridge) and Syed (Marc Elliot) in bed together and hugging. The BBC has already defended the scene releasing a statement in which the corporation states it has a legal requirement to portray homosexual and heterosexual relationships in the same way.  Balancing the handful of complaints are over 70 messages the BBC has received praising the scene.  In an interview with This Morning executive producer Bryan Kirkwood defended the scene.  

“I think EastEnders was the first soap to broadcast a gay kiss about 24, 25 years ago so it’s only taken them 25 years to get into the bedroom from the living room…I think that we showed a heterosexual kiss on Monday night between Max and Vanessa that had no complaints, so I think we’re right to show a loving, tender relationship within the context of the timeslot…..I think Christian and Syed are the most established gay, loving relationship on TV. It wasn’t crude, it wasn’t over-sexual. It was something that you see every day within a heterosexual relationship and I stand by the decision to do it. [Syed] had just accepted his marriage proposal, so it was a beautiful moment.”” – Bryan Kirkwood on This Morning

The relationship between Syed and Christian has prompted complaints from viewers before. However, not all of the complaints have been opposing the story; a scene in which Zeinab (Nina Wadia) was homophobic to Christian was also the subject of complaints from some viewers who felt the character’s comments should have been challenged. The homophobic attack on Christian, as a result of his affair with Syed, was complained about as well.