Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks have taken action following a wave of transphobic comments targeted at actress Annie Wallace.
The star, 58, first began her role as Sally St. Claire in 2015, and was later revealed to be the estranged parent of John Paul McQueen (James Sutton).
However, Annie’s soap connections go way back to the late 90s when she was a trailblazer for trans representation in continuing dramas – working as a research assistant for the introduction of Hayley Cropper (Julie Hesmondhalgh) in Coronation Street.
After a number of roles on the Manchester theatre scene, and even a spot in comedy drama Shameless, she was then later cast as the first regular trans woman playing a trans character in British soap.
Her most recent story has seen Sally struggle with being diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Determined to keep living life to the full, she enjoyed a day drinking down at The Love Boat and spent the rest of the evening with friend Tom Cunningham (Ellis Hollins), but upon returning to work the following day she had a tense confrontation with headmaster turned conversation therapist Carter Shepherd (David Ames).
The row resulted in Sally collapsing in the school hall, and after being hospitalised, doctor Misbah Maalik (Harvey Virdi) urged her to come clean to her family.
Returning home to the village, she recieved some much-needed support and TLC from the McQueen clan.
In a since deleted X/Twitter post, Hollyoaks shared a GIF of Sally, John Paul, Mercedes (Jennifer Metcalfe) and Hunter (Theo Graham), writing: ‘We’re all Team Sally right now #Hollyoaks.’
Shockingly, the update was met with transphobic comments from users who seemingly have never watched the show, or followed Sally or Annie’s personal journey.
A number of fans called for it to be removed for fears that Annie would see the comments – but it was too late.
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Addressing the situation this morning (22nd April), she wrote on her personal account: ‘Here’s where we are… Hollyoaks posted a nice clip of Sally being supported by her family after coming out of hospital, but the post had so many disgusting, vicious, abusive anti-trans comments, they had to take it down.’
A number of supportive comments have since flooded in.
‘Hope you’re ok, sending love!’ said a viewer.
‘[The] comments were so disgusting Annie! please remember, we all love you’ added another.
One fan commented: ‘I am so sorry. It saddens me that we have gone backwards when we should be moving forwards. I hope you have all the support you need from Hollyoaks.’
Two years ago, Annie wrote a first person piece for Metro.co.uk for Pride Month.
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In her article, she spoke about the continued importance of Pride celebrations and protests: ‘The trans community are currently fighting just to KEEP the hard-won rights we fought for in the 90s. It’s an ongoing, and exhausting task, but a necessary one.’
Commenting on her character, she continued: ‘She’s had her ups and downs over the years (as every soap character has) but her most important attribute is that she’s not defined by being trans.
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It’s a part of her, but not something which impacts her daily life. Much like my own situation.’
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