EastEnders: Slight Return

LORD Michael Cashman is to reprise his role as EastEnders’ first gay character Colin Russell as he returns to the soap after 30 years.

Cashman, 65, is to make a brief return to Walford in a story line that bosses are staying tight-lipped about – but his visit to Albert Square will involve Dot Cotton.

Cashman starred as Colin Russell from 1986 to 1989 and shortly after making his debut, he found himself in a relationship with Barry Clark, played by Gary Hailes, which saw them have the first gay kiss in a British soap opera – and on primetime television...

“Arguably without EastEnders I would never have gone into politics; I would not have been one of the founders of Stonewall and its founding chair, and I would never have ended up where I am now."

The Sun.  

So now you know who to blame.