Hollyoaks’ Kelle Bryan reveals how her son was racially abused by another child aged 5

Trigger warning: mention of anti-black racism

kelle bryan son racist abuse

by Lucy Smith |
Updated on

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."

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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."

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hollyoaks addresses racial micro-aggresions
Viewers got to see a day in the life of Martine. ©Lime Pictures

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."

If you have been subject to racial abuse and would like support, or if you would like to learn more about discrimination and how you can help, please head to the Stop Hate UK website, or call 0800 138 1625 to speak to the 24-hour helpline.

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