Danny Miller, who plays Aaron Livesy on Emmerdale, has responded to recent claims from viewers that his character’s sexuality was determined by his past.
Earlier in the year, fans of the soap were shocked to learn that Aaron was sexually abused by his own father, and has been controlled by Gordon ever since.
Speaking to the Express.co.uk, Danny wanted to shut down claims that his on-screen character’s sexual orientation was premeditated from his tortured past.
“It's easy for people to jump on the bandwagon and presume that Aaron is gay because of his past,” the 25-year-old explained.
“But, the fact is a person is either born gay or born straight and eventually they will find out who they are.
“[The abuse] was more about power and anger and torment, more than it was to do about the sexuality thing.”
Danny went on to praise the LGBTQ community who have been behind his brave character, and revealed how “happy” he was to portray someone that is gay and has found it “difficult to come out in the past and accept who they are”.
“The fact that I'm getting to represent that and almost put that on TV in such a public domain is an honour. But also with survivors of abuse, with the sexual assault storyline I've had big support from them as well, and that's been amazing,” he explained.
“The fact that the LGBT community have backed this character and also the survivors as well, who have been through such a terrible ordeal, got behind it as well is a massive reason for why it's been so special.”
Danny recently won Best Actor in a Soap at the TV Choice Awards for the second year running, beating out Coronation Street’s Jack P. Shephard and EastEnders’ Danny Dyer and Steve McFadden.
Emmerdale also scooped the Best Soap award for the first time in its 44-year history.
Emmerdale continues tonight at 7pm on ITV.