Kelle Bryan has opened up about racism and the effect it has had on her family, revealing that her son, Regan, was traumatically a victim of anti-black prejudice at just five years of age.
She said, "[He] was told by another child that he couldn’t play with a toy because he was brown."
The Loose Women panellist explained that she wanted the matter to be addressed and in response, the child in question was sent home.
Speaking to The Mirror, Kelle, 46, added that she has taught Regan, now nine, about slavery.
She said, "I also took him to the slave museum in Liverpool, I shared some of my experiences from my childhood and what I went through, I experienced a lot of racism growing up.
"Now he handles things really well."
Check out: Hollyoaks spoilers - John Paul McQueen finally faces the truth
Hollyoaks spoilers: John Paul McQueen finally faces the truth
1 of 5Hollyoaks spoilers
There's tension between John Paul and George, and things take a for the worst when John Paul spends the night on Ste's sofa. Following a huge fight and some devastating news, John Paul finally faces the truth about his situation - is this the end for him and George?
2 of 5Hollyoaks spoilers
Fergus installs a hidden camera in Peri's bedroom. Later when it comes to light that he sent Peri a bikini, he backtracks and says he bought it for Maxine instead.
3 of 5Hollyoaks spoilers
Martine confronts Felix about their relationship but she's left stunned when Grace reveals they've moved in together.
4 of 5Hollyoaks spoilers
Juliet Nightingale and Courtney Campbell try to get Sid to see his potential. He later admits he wants to be a police officer and even manages to get a one-to-one meeting with DS Cohen.
.jpg?auto=format&w=1440&q=80)
5 of 5Hollyoaks spoilers
Tony tries to get Darren and Nancy together again by planning a surprise date but things don't go according to plan...
WATCH: Poldark's Kerri McLean on playing Kitty Despard and why Black History Month is so important to her
Kelle, who plays Martine Deveraux in Hollyoaks, has Regan and a daughter, too (Kayori, seven) with husband Jay Gudgeon.
In the past, she has broached the topic of racism with her fellow black Loose Women panellists - Judi Love, Brenda Edwards, Charlene White and Doreen Lawrence - on the show's October Black History Month special.
Commenting on the backlash that the first all-black panel had received, the mum-of-two said, "Suddenly four black women present, it’s an issue?
"You only have to look at the comments to see that unfortunately there are still people with really bigoted views."
Read more
Tom Zanetti's son Deaconn hospitalised in 'upsetting' health scare
Tyne-Lexy Clarson: ‘I’m too scared to have surgery after my mum’s health battle’
In this week's Hollyoaks episode, viewers got to see a day in the life of Martine, shown in stark contrast to Grace Black.
By comparison to Grace (who's white), Martine was subject to several micro-aggressions - for example, being called "aggressive" - and the show shed an important light on modern day racism.
Commenting on her experiences in the episode, character Martine explained, "Being a Black woman means no matter how early you get up in the morning, you never really get a head start because the game is already rigged and it's not in your favour… That place where racism and sexism meet in the middle, that's where Black women live our lives."