British soap 'Coronation Street' shuns 'proper bisexual' plotline

June 25, 10:22 AMBisexuality ExaminerMike Szymanski

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Samuel Robertson wanted to play 'proper bisexual'

"Coronation Street" is the longest- running show in the United Kingdom, beginning in 1960, and it takes place in a working-class neighborhood, reflecting the concerns and life of average citizens. Not surprisingly, a few of the past plotlines have had young people experimenting with their sexuality—even coming out and living openly as gay—and again reflecting what was happening in the world around them.

This week, a 23-year-old outspoken handsome actor, Samuel Robertson, told British press that "Coronation Street" scrapped a bisexual plotline for his character Adam Barlow, which would have been a very positive and non-stereotypic portrayal of bisexuality. He said the idea was axed because it was too similar to another character's sexuality struggles around the same time (and then, perhaps, too confusing?)

Robertson tells the Scotland's Daily Record:

"At one point they were going to make Adam bisexual, and I was bang up for that. Playing a guy who was proper bisexual, into guys and girls and as cool as a cucumber with it.

"It would have been great, I was excited about it at the time."
 

Now, Robertson is on another soap "River City" where he plays an art history student named Innes Maitland.

According to reviews, in his first scene, Innes swaggers onto Montego Street and seems rather attracted toward the character played by Johnny Beattie. He takes his guitar off his back and sings "You're Just Too Good To Be True."

Roberston explains: "I thought there was no way the director would let that scene stick, because he's really cool. He loved it, but it felt weird."

Will Innes be bisexual? Robertson isn't sure.

"I've looked at the geezers in 'River City,' " he laughs. "Let's just say I've got over that now."

COMMENTARY: The young star obviously gets it. You can be bisexual and not predatory, or confused, or forced to make up your mind. Thankfully, that is also a reflection of what young people around the world are feeling and thinking, too. What's too bad, is that such a portrayal never made it to the big screen—yet!

See a video of the storyline of the guy with the "confused sexuality" on "Coronation Street" below, and a sexy slide show of Samuel Robertson.