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Australian soap Home And Away will feature first gay character in 12 years

Darius Williams will play the first LGBT character in the show since Australia legalised same-sex marriage

By Fabio Crispim

Australian soap Home And Away will be introducing its first gay character in 12 years. 

Actor Darius Williams announced the news on Instagram, revealing that he was joining the show in a guest role as Ty, the first LGBT character starring in the soap since same-sex marriage was made legal in the country last year. 

The actor wrote on Instagram: “After months of hard work and secrecy. I can announce I will be on Home And Away as of May 7th. 

“To all those that supported me along the way and kept this secret hidden since last October, thank you. To all those that I may have had to tell a few cheeky lies to, I’m sorry. I hope you’re all there to tune in when I hit the Bay next Monday.” 

According to reports, however, Williams has only been contracted for six weeks. 

The show’s last same-sex storyline dates back to 2009 when the soap featured a same-sex romance between characters Charlie Buckton (Esther Anderson) and Joey Collins (Kate Bell). 

The couple sparked outrage among some viewers, causing producers to cut scenes of the characters kissing.