Not Being the "Right Type" of Gay Man with Coronation Street Actor, Antony Cotton | S2 E9

This week we're joined by the brilliant Antony Cotton who's been on Coronation Street for nearly 20 years - he's the longest running gay character on British TV. We chat to him about his journey as an actor and how he's been received by the British public.
Welcome to Season 2 of Happy Healthy Homo hosted by Keegan Hirst and Joel Wood. Please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, it'd really help us out: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast...
Write to us: [e-mail]
Instagram: @happyhealthyhomo
TikTok: @happyhealthyhomo
Twitter: @happyhealthyhomo

[@knockshinnoch1950]

A terrific interview. This is just one aspect where the internet wins over terrestrial TV. The opportunities for long form interviews like this no longer exist on TV- there isn't the time or the bandwidth. All we get now are 5 minute fluff pieces on morning/daytime shows and the chat shows such as Graham Norton and Jonathan Ross which is really a vehicle for the host. This interview had real meat and depth. I had no idea of the real Antony from what I had seen on his tv interviews over the years. This really was an in-depth fascinating insight into him, what makes him tick and his personal opinions on so many aspects of society. I thoroughly enjoyed this.

[@arthurgarcia4424]

Thanks guys 55, life partner passed on. Great to witness some great human beings such as yourselves

[@pppmanly]

This was a super interesting episode. Great guest!👏🏽I used to watch Antony on "Coronation Street" many years ago when I was obsessed with fan-created KZbin channels which would focus on the gay storylines of TV shows from around the world. This was in the 2000s and early 2010s when this was still a novelty. 😀

[@julietarpey4216]

Antony should have a podcast, just like Keegan he’s very well read and informative on the struggles gay men have and have had to face. Fantastic episode boys ❤

[@TomMelton-yf7zr]

Amazing episode. Joel’s questions and comments were spot on. Your podcast is important to my life. Thanks!

[@davewatson7004]

Thanks for doing this guys. It was great to hear more from Antony. I disagree with the people who've commented that Antony over-talked - he has an interesting story to tell and it's good to hear how he feels that he's been perceived.

[@happyhealthyhomo]

It's kind of the point to have the guest talk on a podcast, that is what they are there for! 😂 Thank you for your support!

[@damians6690]

Great guest. A big move forward for the show. Also, nicely done boys , you gave a great character room to tell his story.

[@richarddoran3031]

I so enjoy these broadcasts ❤ and derive so much from them. 😊

[@bdbobbydog]

Antony has expresssd so well about how the attack on trans people (which is undeserved) is about removing our rights and returning to the bad old days of our existence being illegal. Really interesting interview - i dont think Anthony talked too much and would enjoy seeing more of him

[@gregstewart6126]

Excellent show guys! Stellar!!!! It just keeps getting better and better! Lots of love from Tallahassee!

[@iandavidson2635]

great show guys, thank you!!

[@richiej5884]

A really enjoyable podcast and I could have just listened to Antony's stories for hours. Well done guys! Thank you for this! 👏👏

[@michaeljohndennis2231]

5 out of 5 obviously, because both of you are absolutely gorgeous 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@justinwilliams3621]

Hey guys in absolutely loved this interview. Only wish it was longer. Brilliant 👏x

[@stepcots]

Excellent interview…..thank you

[@healthybodz1969]

What a great guest. Thank you x

[@shaun7799]

Loved this x

[@danbrowne7796]

You know alot of gays have an issue with Anthony Cotton and it's not all just because of the stereotype he played it's also because if you aren't a famous fit rugby player he can be very rude and not many gays in Manchester have a good word to say. Also it wasn't just your character that people didn't like it was then that you thought that gave you the right to speak on behalf of the gay community which you don't represent every opinion of.

[@user-nu3ug4pm1t]

Out of interest, do you have any stories or examples?

[@danbrowne7796]

@@user-nu3ug4pm1t yeah like many people I have met him and he was rude and a jumped up diva. Same story I hear from everyone.

[@user-nu3ug4pm1t]

@@danbrowne7796 That's never a good look!

[@stephenhawkins1913]

Great hearing Shawn, And listening to what he has to say

[@candidolopez1131]

One word - fantastic!

[@sueh3649]

Hi I have watched some of your Hhh This was one of the best Seeing Anthony not Sean was great. Great job guys

[@simongoodwin5253]

Great podcast. One criticism, the sound levels are too low. I'm listening on full volume and the adverts blow my ears off!

[@marcoaureliocavalcante]

Great interview and guest. Life is hard for those who do not follow the steretypes. What would people be if we all have to follow one or the most three types. It wouldn't be a gay community, sad though. Congratulation for the podcast. LOVE, LIVE, LEARN n LAUGH MAC

[@joehscott]

Great episode 🤙🏼🤙🏼 I agree with the not the right type of gay comments have experienced that.

[@richardurch446]

I enjoyed this vlog , Anthony was interesting and had a lot more depth to his personality than i rather snobbishly thought a Corry actor would have , so I need not to be so judgemental .

[@Harry-fk5of]

I remember my family calling me 'Shaun' in a derogatory way and it made me deeply uncomfortable to the point that I really disliked the character and wouldn't want to be in the room when the show was on. Obviously, it was my own internalized homophobia and I thought it was embarrassing to be anything like Shaun. My family was homophobic so it was delivered as a veiled insult and it hurt. So I can see why there was a backlash even though it's totally irrational and Antony shouldn't have had to deal with it. Interesting interview!

[@kathleenchild]

Informative as usual. Anthony is such an interesting and heart warming person. Can you explain what MB stands for? I got some weird definitions when I googled it that don’t seem to apply.

[@newketolady1859]

It's MBE not MB. It's an award granted by the British sovereign (the King). From google it says - "'Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire'. It is the third highest ranking after an OBE and is given for an outstanding achievement or service to the community which has had a long-term, significant impact."

[@kathleenchild]

@@newketolady1859 Thanks for taking the time to reply to my question. How wonderful Anthony’s work has been recognized in this way. 👋 from Canada.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Late upload than usual but both of you are forgiven 🔥

[@silverstitch28]

Not Being the Right Type has been me all my life. No one ever wanted to date me or did at first coz they felt sorry for me. Not even most of my friends want to be seen in the gay world with me. Several times i have tried to end my life by different ways. Drugs to knives to ropes etc. If no one wants me then why the hell am i still here? And why do i get treated so badly by other queer men? I can't even make genuine friendships 😪

[@lynnm4664]

We love you antony ❤❤❤

[@balcerzaq]

Best episode :-) - not a big an of Coronation Street

[@calvindavis2054]

I watch KZbin shorts of Coronation Street and know his character. I’m in the US so can’t get full episodes.

[@simongoodwin5253]

Sadly I'm not a fan of Soap Operas, but I did watch "Queer as Folk", the British version, which was fantastic back in the day.

[@baarryparsons2808]

Living in Spain I saw the American version of queer as folk in Spanish, , in those day unless you had a satellite dish you had no other choice.

[@brentdillahunty3314]

This episode was remarkable, specially about politicians voting record.❣️💯 Thanks❤️💋

[@michellecaseygalloway780]

Anthony, you are amazing,loved this episode ❤

[@Jm649]

Appreciate your wisdom and experience Anthony. Need more value put on that in the community, muscles and likes only get you so far hey!

[@sally5983]

I love Antony, he seems like a genuinely nice person with a big heart. Not sure I entirely agree with his thoughts in women's rights and trans issue but that's ok it was still very interesting to hear another point of view.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Nothing like Antony Cotton dragging the set to filth and now I’m thoroughly invested lol

[@RESELLERGEORGE]

The Gay press slagged of James Dreyfuss when he did Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie for being TOO camp a representation . its fkn ridiculous. I met Anthony once in a club in Manchester he's SO genuine and nice

[@DJWhovian]

A great chat. What Antony says about them going after women's and gay rights makes a lot of sense and it is quite worrying to think that people are even thinking of questioning the rights we've gained so far in the UK.

[@dawnevans157]

Those rights need expanding not reducing for women, gay, trans, lesbian etc.

[@DJWhovian]

@@dawnevans157 For sure. We need to maintain the momentum and stop this backlash. Also things are improving in other countries but we're not being told about them because it goes against the narrative of everything going wrong.

[@mattschiavone3383]

What exactly is the “ right type “ of gay men . I must have missed the handout pamphlet when I came out .

[@Kevv554]

Hi guys, I'm not familiar with your guest, but I feel awful about how he was treated by the gay press. It shouldn't be possible. Guys treating each other badly should be unthinkable. Big hugs to all of you!

[@daniellaplume3840]

Disappointed that they weren't both wearing a Mickey Mouse T shirt

[@andiapple1532]

One of the WORST actors on Coronation Street. How he's remained there for so long is a complete and utter mystery.

[@silverstitch28]

Anthony cotton is one of queers i look up to as a gen x'r

[@TimButterbaugh]

Sorry guys, but this episode missed the mark. This was hardly a conversation. And I imagine Antony Cotton is otherwise a very nice person, but he rarely stopped to take a breath, or allow Joel and Keegan to interject with a thought or question. I mean, even whales come up for air occasionally.

[@matt69nice]

What would you have liked them to talk about?

[@baarryparsons2808]

Very interesting to hear Anthony 's story