Former Emmerdale star Alexander Lincoln addressed his sexuality after receiving a comment from a fan on social media.
The actor rose to fame as Jamie Tate, son of matriarch Kim (Claire King), on the ITV soap, playing the role for two years before going to on to star in other projects including much-loved Indie film In From the Side.
The film, written and directed by Matt Carter, is about a gay rugby club that is put in jeopardy when two of its players begin an affair.
Alexander portrayed one of the two protagonists in the film, which can be streamed on Netflix, and received acclaim for his work, garnering a spot on the British Independent Film Awards longlist for Best Breakthrough Performance.
The actor took to Instagram in January of last year to comment on how ‘huge’ a moment it was for him to be longlisted.
‘There were some astoundingly beautiful performances this year so I don’t feel at all bad about not getting shortlisted,’ he wrote. ‘Though I will of course be watching the ceremony intently from the comfort of me sofa.
‘Infinitely proud of this film and what it continues to do and how it continues to resonate with audiences.’
While fans were quick to congratulate him for his achievement at the time, one raised the age-old debate of heterosexual actors taking on LGBTQ+ roles.
‘‘I loved the movie,’ they said, ‘and its actors are still very handsome but I still think that the actors are posing as gay but they are not. Is it my doubt?’
Alexander, however, responded to the online user with: ‘Thanks so much- really appreciate it!!!! And no, I’m not straight,’ followed by a love heart emoji.
