CORRIE RUNS 'GAIL'S GAY DAD' STORYLINE

Well, we read it in the currant bun so it must be true. Here's the story as they break it in their Friday edition (11 July 2008).

"CORRIE’s long-suffering Gail Platt is in for a new shock – when she finds out that her long-lost dad is GAY. Veteran actor Michael Byrne (pictured below) is to play her dad Ted Paige – a young soldier Audrey Roberts dumped when she fell pregnant with Gail aged just 18. His arrival on the cobbles will shake things up this summer.

A show source says: “Audrey wanted to settle down with someone so she could claim back son Stephen who she had when she was 16. But the man she fancied wasn’t interested so Audrey went for his best friend, Ted.
“When she discovered she was pregnant by Ted, she fled as she knew he would propose - and she couldn’t spend the rest of her life with him.” But her new fella Bill Webster doesn’t need to worry – because it turns out Ted is now gay."

LONDON PRIDE 2008: BORIS COMES OUT!

London Mayor, Boris Johnson, had a coming out of sorts on Saturday as he led the London Pride Parade on its annual march through London's West End. The event attracted huge crowds and was headlined by a rally and concert in Trafalgar Square.

Mayor Johnson hasn't previously endeared himself to the LGB community but in his new role he seemed keen to give the day his prominent backing, even if he did look a little awkward at times.

Pride revellers enjoyed unexpectedly fine weather and partying continued into the evenings with much of Soho closed to traffic.

Forthcoming Pride events in the South East will include Pride In Brighton & Hove (Sat 02 Aug) Soho Pride (Sun 17 Aug).

PROUD TO SERVE: OUR BOYS & GIRLS STEP OUT!


This year's parade saw the largest participation yet of serving gay personnel of the Army, Air Force and Naval Services along with the Civilian Services, the Met & London Fire Brigade. Civilian staff from all branches also took part.

Bring on the day when we can actually have the Band of the Royal Marines leading. Now that really would be a parade!