Gordon Collins (Brookside)
Encyclopedia
Gordon Collins is a character in Channel 4
soap-opera Brookside, he appeared in it from the first episode in 1982 until 1990. He was portrayed by Nigel Cowley in earlier episodes and later on by Mark Burgess
. Gordon is notable for being the first openly gay character on a British television soap opera.
loses his job. While his elder sister Lucy struggles to fit in on Brookside Close (which she refers to as 'purgatory'), Gordon settles in quicker. Gordon is seen by his parents as having better prospects than his sister and so when they can only afford to allow one to remain at independent school, Gordon stays while Lucy has to attend the sixth-form college at Brookside Comprehensive where she is bullied.
. For sometime he gave his parents little cause for concern, unlike his sister who was having an affair with a married man much to her parents disapproval.
Gordon also provided a contrast to Damon Grant
, who was his counterpart in the Grant family. While Damon was hot-headed, often skipped school and spent his time on the football terraces and getting into scrapes with his friends, Gordon was quiet, studious and appeared to have few friends.
In 1986, Gordon leaves to live in France with his sister Lucy who had been living there with Barry Grant
for some time. He returns with a girl, prompting Paul and Annabelle to assume he is now straight. This however is not the case and it transpires that the girl is the sister of a lover Gordon had in France.
In 1987 Gordon and Chris come into possession of a stolen car with which they run over Lucky, the dog that Paul saved from drowning. Paul however assumes that Terry Sullivan killed the dog and photographs him and Pat Hancock working and sends the evidence to the DSS
.
In 1988 the Collins' house is attacked by 'queer-bashers', who graffiti 'If AIDS don't get you - we will' and 'shirtlifters live here' on the garage door.
who played Annabelle Collins in 1990, the entire Collins family were written out.
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
soap-opera Brookside, he appeared in it from the first episode in 1982 until 1990. He was portrayed by Nigel Cowley in earlier episodes and later on by Mark Burgess
Mark Burgess (playwright)
Mark Burgess is a British playwright. He also appeared in Brookside as Gordon Collins and wrote and performed the one man show The Man With The Golden Pen on the life of Ian Fleming.-Selected works:...
. Gordon is notable for being the first openly gay character on a British television soap opera.
Background
Gordon Collins moved to Brookside Close aged 15 with his family in 1982 after his father, PaulPaul Collins (Brookside)
Paul Collins was a character in Brookside played by Jim Wiggins between 1982 and 1990.-The Collins family:The Collins family moved into Brookside Close during the first episode, having bought Number 8...
loses his job. While his elder sister Lucy struggles to fit in on Brookside Close (which she refers to as 'purgatory'), Gordon settles in quicker. Gordon is seen by his parents as having better prospects than his sister and so when they can only afford to allow one to remain at independent school, Gordon stays while Lucy has to attend the sixth-form college at Brookside Comprehensive where she is bullied.
Arrival
After the Collins' arrival, Gordon begins writing computer software, a hobby shared by neighbour Alan PartridgeAlan Partridge (Brookside)
Alan Partridge was an early character in Channel 4 soap Brookside. He was portrayed by Dicken Ashworth from 1983 until 1984. He was the first resident to live at No. 6 .-Background:...
. For sometime he gave his parents little cause for concern, unlike his sister who was having an affair with a married man much to her parents disapproval.
Gordon also provided a contrast to Damon Grant
Damon Grant
Damon Grant is a fictional character in the defunct British soap opera Brookside, played by Simon O'Brien. The character was part of the initial cast, appearing from episode one in 1982 until 1987...
, who was his counterpart in the Grant family. While Damon was hot-headed, often skipped school and spent his time on the football terraces and getting into scrapes with his friends, Gordon was quiet, studious and appeared to have few friends.
Homosexuality
Later however in 1985, Gordon came out as being gay, after Annabelle found out about the homosexual relationship he had been having with a school-friend, Chris. While his parents accepted his homosexuality, it was a source of embarrassment for them.In 1986, Gordon leaves to live in France with his sister Lucy who had been living there with Barry Grant
Barry Grant
Barry Grant is a fictional character in the defunct Channel 4 soap opera Brookside. He was portrayed by Paul Usher and was in the series from episode one in 1982 until 1995 with several sporadic guest appearances in 1997, 1998 and the final episode in 2003....
for some time. He returns with a girl, prompting Paul and Annabelle to assume he is now straight. This however is not the case and it transpires that the girl is the sister of a lover Gordon had in France.
In 1987 Gordon and Chris come into possession of a stolen car with which they run over Lucky, the dog that Paul saved from drowning. Paul however assumes that Terry Sullivan killed the dog and photographs him and Pat Hancock working and sends the evidence to the DSS
Department of Social Security
The Department of Social Security is the name of a defunct governmental agency in the United Kingdom.The DSS replaced the older Department of Health and Social Security, from 1988 until 2001, when it was itself largely replaced as a department of the Government of the United Kingdom by the...
.
In 1988 the Collins' house is attacked by 'queer-bashers', who graffiti 'If AIDS don't get you - we will' and 'shirtlifters live here' on the garage door.
Departure
Following the death of Doreen SloaneDoreen Sloane
Doreen Sloane was an English actress best known for her roles in the soap operas Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Brookside....
who played Annabelle Collins in 1990, the entire Collins family were written out.