Gary Lamont reveals pride at being part of hit soap's first civil union

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By Steve Hendry | 4 Nov 2012 00:01

River City actor Gary Lamont reveals pride at being part of hit soap's first civil union

LAMONT plays hairdresser Robbie Fraser in the BBC Scotland soap and is preparing for the programme's first civil partnership as he ties the not with onscreen boyfriend Will.

River City

WHEN River City actor Gary Lamont came out as gay earlier this year, he didn’t realise he would become a role model.

But the actor, who stars as hairdresser Robbie Fraser in the BBC Scotland soap, won an award in August for inspiring others.

He hopes he will continue to do so as he gets set for River City’s first civil partnership to his onscreen boyfriend Will, played by Scott Ryan Vickers, despite the fact he is violent towards him.

Gary, 28, came out in press interviews in June. He has had positive feedback, particularly being given the Inspiration Award by LGBT Youth Scotland.

He said: “I was given the award by these young people who have the strength and courage to stand up for what they believe in. I don’t know if I would have done so young.

“I have never tried to hide it – I just didn’t feel I wanted to talk about it. As the years go on, I have got a bit more mature and thought, ‘What is my place in the world and should I defend it?’

“It was no great political stroke – they got me on a day when I was like, ‘Yes, I am a gay man’. It’s never going to change so there is no point hiding it. I am who I am and that’s okay.”

River City

Gary, who grew up in Castlemilk, Glasgow, added: “I am being given more responsibility. Scott and I are the face of these issues with regards to River City.

“I was nervous going into it, reading it in the script. We have never tackled a gay wedding. It’s a big thing.”

Indeed, the Scottish Government’s plans to legalise same-sex marriage have proved contentious, with the Catholic Church speaking out against it.

The debate led to gay rights group Stonewall branding Cardinal Keith O’Brien as Bigot Of The Year at an awards ceremony last week, before they were accused of being intolerant for doing so.

While River City is not getting involved in politics, Gary hopes his screen partnership can help positive debate.

He said: “It is putting it in people’s minds. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, just as long as it is open for discussion. Times have changed and we have to change with them.”

He knows people will talk because of the feedback he has already had from fans over the domestic abuse Robbie has suffered at the hands of policeman partner Will.

He said: “Public reaction has been amazing. I get people saying to me, ‘When are you going to hit him back?’ I get old grannies saying, ‘He’s not a nice man’. They love Robbie – it’s lovely.”

The wedding plot thickens in River City this week when Robbie is hounded by Will’s dad to take a pay-off and leave his son.

When he turns to drink to try to escape the pressure, Will is less than impressed and they wonder about calling it off.

But things ease when Robbie’s best pal Hayley – played by Pamela Byrne – returns and announces she is pregnant.

Gary, who has a long-term partner, has no plans to follow his screen alter ego. He said: “I know some 28-year-olds are running down the aisle but I’m in no rush.”

- River City is on BBC1 on Tuesday at 8pm.