TV Pick for Tonight: Britain's Gay Footballers

Did you know that out of the 5,000 current professional footballers in Britain, none of them have come out publicly as being gay. With supposedly 1 in 100 Brits being gay (though I wouldn't trust that figure too much!), that is a lot of closeted footballer players.

Tonight's intriguing documentary Britain's Gay Footballers follows Amal Fashanu, niece of Justin Fashanu, the only ever openly gay British professional, as she tries to discover why no gay player has followed her uncle's example in over twenty years.

I'd like to think that one day a person's sexuality won't define who they are. It seems absurd that a gay footballer would be treated any differently to a straight footballer, but as Amal discovers, the world of professional football is a very different ball game to what we would expect. Amal meets Matt Lucas, who has suffered and observed shocking homophobic abuse at football grounds, while Max Clifford reveals that he has helped several Premiership stars keep their homosexuality secret in order to preserve their careers. Just where has this homophobia come from and why is it still present?

It's a sad world that people can't be who they are. Playing football should not provide another reason for gay people to have to live a lie.

Don't miss Britain's Gay Footballers on BBC3 tonight at 9pm.

Emotional Goodbyes this Week in Soap

Coronation Street

As Steve and Tracy prepare to tie the knot, all eyes are on Becky as she leaves behind a trail of destruction before preparing to leave the Street this week in Coronation Street.

As the vicar asks if anyone knows of any lawful impediment Becky stands up. Is this her moment for revenge?

Discovering he's making a huge mistake beliveing Becky over Tracy, Steve rushes to the airport.

Steve tries to stop Becky from leaving but it's too late

Meanwhile, the Frank's private investigator follows Carla and Peter on a secret hotel trip, Sylvia won't let Roy stand in the way of romance, and Jason’s left troubled by Eileen and Paul’s relationship.

You can see exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and cast interviews in the special documentary Farewell Becky which looks back at six action-packed years of one of Corrie's most iconic characters, Becky McDonald, played by Katherine Kelly.

Emmerdale

In Emmerdale this week, Ashley decides to swallow his pride to win Laurel back, Debbie struggles to keep the peace between Cameron and Andy, and Hazel says her final goodbye to the village. Will Aaron decide to go with her?

Aaron watches as Hazel says goodbye to Jackson's grave

Meanwhile, Charity's hen night doesn't quite go as planned but it's Jai who panics on the big day after Charity goes AWOL.

Will Charity make it to the registry office on time?

EastEnders

The Mitchells are left reeling in EastEnders this week after DCI Marsden arrives to inform them that they have now arrested Phil on suspicion of murder. Witnessing the drama engulfing the Mitchell household, Derek seizes every opportunity he can to take control of the Mitchell Empire.

Phil's back inside again, he probably has his own cell by now

Meanwhile, Ian and Tanya try to stop Jane from leaving Walford. Tanya is delighted when she thinks Jane has changed her mind but Masood lets the truth slip out, causing Tanya to resent Jane.

Will the best friends make up before Jane makes her exit?

Elsewhere, Ray returns to Walford determined to be part of Morgan’s life and Lucy is determined to find out what Mandy is up to.

Hollyoaks

Things get awkward for Mercedes in Hollyoaks this week when she starts a cleaning job at the hospital and is mistaken for a prostitute! Meanwhile, Cindy agrees to help Darren with his secret wedding plans but casino temptation calls which threatens to ruin everything.

Darren tries his luck at 'winning' his dream wedding

Elsewhere, Neil has two weeks to learn how to drive after lying to his friends about his driving skills, Lynsey applies for her old nurse's position, and Cheryl sleeps with a surprising suitor...

This week in Soapland: What are Becky and Kylie up to in Corrie, and what are Hazel's plans for Aaron in Emmerdale?

Coronation Street

It's Tracy's hen party this week which is bound to be a messy night but which uninvited guest is lurking in the shadows? Meanwhile, Becky and sidekick Kylie are determined to clear her name at any cost, and Tommy tries to persuade Tina to drop the case against Kirsty.

What are Kylie and Becky up to?

Elsewhere, Owen's actions could cost him his relationship after Faye pushes him too far.

Owen will definitely regret this smack.

Emmerdale

In Emmerdale this week, Debbie blames Alicia when Sarah runs off with Jacob, Rodney turns down Brenda's job offer, and Val doesn't know how to earn Amy's trust back. Meanwhile, Hazel has exciting plans for her and Aaron but Bob's not so sure about them, the Spencers' money troubles escalate, and Zak is unimpressed by the effort Lisa makes for his 60th birthday.

It's sausage rolls all round this week for the Dingles.

EastEnders

Ricky's hoping his romantic gesture to Bianca will win her over, but will it really be enough? Max and Tanya finally wake up to Lauren's drinking and the true extent of her behaviour becomes clear.

Lauren's drinking finally catches up with her

Meanwhile, Jane's fundraising event at The Vic leads to an unexpected offer, Ben is jealous of Phil and Jay's latest venture, and Masood reveals some new revelations to his family about Yusef.

Hollyoaks

Maddie returns from holiday while Jono is on cloud nine after sleeping with Ruby, but is Ruby simply using him to climb the social ladder? Elsewhere, George, Phoebe and Callum come to blows, Darren, convinced he knows everything about Nancy, starts arrangements for a secret wedding, and Lynsey persuades Cheryl to go to university. Meanwhile, Callum finds it difficult to keep George's secret to himself, and Dennis finally takes off for Mumbai.

Bye bye Dennis, bye bye.

Tiptoeing out of the Closet

In the new documentary Coming Out Diaries, shown tomorrow on BBC3, three young people tell their stories of how they came out to their family and friends as gay or transgender.

One of the open and honest individuals sharing their story is 17-year-old Natalie whose mum Arlene find it difficult to accept that the son she gave birth to wants to live her life as a girl. Arlene finds the whole situation so difficult to deal with that she refuses to allow Natalie to dress as a girl in her house and continues to call her by her birth name, 'Kieran'. The film follows Natalie as she battles for acceptance and the opportunity to put her double life to bed.

Also featured in the documentary is 17-year-old Tori who talks about the bullying she faced at school for being a lesbian. Now studying at beauty college, Tori wants to come out to the new friends she has made but she is worried that history will repeat itself, and the girls will no longer want her to practice beauty treatments on them in class.

We also hear from 19-year-old Jamie who hasn't told his university course-mates that he was born a girl. Jamie loves being accepted as one of the lads and is pleased no one has guessed his secret, but he feels the time has come to be honest and stop living a lie.

I think it's fantastic that more programmes dealing with LGBT issues, like the brilliant recent documentary series My Transsexual Summer, are being shown on TV. I spent half of my life worried about coming out, thinking that I could never live my life as an openly gay woman. If any lesbians were shown on telly, such as Beth Jordache in Brookside or Kim in Sugar Rush, I would watch them intently alone in my room with the volume turned down so slow I could hardly hear it.

Growing up, I was determined that no one would find out I was a lesbian but falling in love changed everything. With the help and support of my partner, I was able to learn to accept myself and my sexual orientation and gradually over the last first three years I have begun telling my friends and family about us. Although my mum was initially devastated that her daughter 'is one of those', she is gradually starting to accept me for who I am and hopefully one day my relationship with my partner will be as valid as my sister's is with her boyfriend. For now, I'm just happy I am able to live my life as I had always dreamed I would but never believed I could.

Coming out will never be easy, but people sharing their experiences does in my opinion help gay and transgender people to know that they are not alone and we can all give each other hope that we can live life happy as ourselves.

Coming Out Diaries will be shown tomorrow on BBC 3 at 9pm.

"Playing it Straight"

If it wasn't bad enough that the judgemental dating show 'Take Me Out' is back, the "unique" reality game show 'Playing it Straight' also returns for a new series on Monday...why oh why?

The aim of the game is simple - one beautiful girl must pick her dream man from a group of eleven guys, if she chooses a straight guy they both win 25k but if she chooses a gay guy then he will win 50k and she gets nothing. So, the gay guys just have to 'act straight' to bring home the big bucks if they can charm the girl to make her think he is the one for her. Bizarre if you ask me.

I know the reality show is very tongue-in-cheek but do we really need to stoop so low as to 'play along at home', as E4 suggest, and guess the gay guys? It all seems very stereotypical and kind of goes against all the hard work being done to demand equality, don't you think?

The trailer says it all:

Shame on you Alan Carr!