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# John Partridge reveals BBC's secret rule for gay couples on EastEnders
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/john-partridge-reveals-bbcs-secret-rule-for-gay-couples-on-eastenders/
- Published: 2025-09-24T10:36:28.000Z
- Updated: 2025-09-24T10:36:28.000Z
- Author: Graham Robson
- Tags: Culture

Former *EastEnders* actor **John Partridge** has revealed a surprising behind-the-scenes rule that applied to gay couples during his time on the **BBC** soap. Appearing on *Good Morning Britain*, Partridge shared that during bedroom scenes with co-star **Marc Elliott** \- who played Syed Masood - only one of them was permitted to remove their shirt.

Partridge, who portrayed Christian Clarke from 2008 to 2012 and again between 2014 and 2016, described the restriction as a clear example of unequal standards in LGBTQ+ representation. “Funny thing is, when Marc Elliott and I would do any scenes in the bedroom, only one of us was allowed to have our shirt off,” he said. “Because we were a gay couple. Any other scenes in soaps or TV dramas, heterosexual couples are allowed to show as much skin as they like, but we were not allowed to do that - and that was recently.”

When asked if they ever joked about who would be topless, Partridge quipped, “Needless to say, I was the one who had his top off.” He added, “That just goes to show that \[homophobia\] is alive and well.”

The actor was promoting his new stage production *The Code*, a dark comedy exploring the hidden rules of Hollywood and the challenges faced by gay actors in the 1950s. Partridge plays William “Billy” Haines, a silent film star who chose love over career when pressured to hide his sexuality. The play runs at **Southwark Playhouse Elephant** until **11 October**.