The National Diversity Awards

Each year a different city across the UK will be chosen to host the annual event. The awards thrived in Manchester for its launch, where diversity is amongst the cities greatest assets. The 2013 ceremony was held in Leeds, representing the brilliant mix of communities in the heart of West Yorkshire and in 2014 the National Diversity Awards were held at the prestigious Hurlingham Club in London. After the glittering success of the 2015 ceremony, which was held at the Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral, the National Diversity Awards are sure to go from strength to strength in 2016. These awards are…Continue reading The National Diversity Awards

Hollyoaks’ John Paul And New Trans Character Sally For Shock Plot Twist

From Attitude.co.uk – 16th March 2016 Hollyoaks’ John Paul (James Sutton) is about to get a big surprise when he learns the true identity of Sally St Claire, the new headteacher at the school where he works. In episodes screened on Monday (March 14), John Paul’s mother Myra McQueen paid a visit to Hollyoaks High and recognised Sally (Annie Wallace). She was previously known as Iain, and was in fact John Paul’s father. Speaking to Inside Soap, Sutton said: “The fact that his father has had a sex change and has taken a job as his boss is just weird – I don’t think anyone…Continue reading Hollyoaks’ John Paul And New Trans Character Sally For Shock Plot Twist

Hollyoaks star Annie Wallace reacts to THAT shock Sally and John Paul twist: ‘It can’t stay secret forever’

From DigitalSpy – 14th March 2016 ​Hollyoaks has just aired one of its biggest revelations of the year on E4 as Sally St Claire’s secret was finally exposed. When Myra McQueen paid a visit to Hollyoaks High to confront the school’s strict new headteacher, she was stunned to recognise Sally from her past life as Iain – Myra’s former lover and John Paul’s father. Sally’s hidden connection to John Paul is the reason that she took up the job at the school in the first place, determined to find a way to be close to him. Fans can now expect…Continue reading Hollyoaks star Annie Wallace reacts to THAT shock Sally and John Paul twist: ‘It can’t stay secret forever’

Is Ms St Claire really John Paul’s father? Hollyoaks’ Annie Wallace reveals all

From the Daily Star website – 15th March 2016 HOLLYOAKS is known for its shock twists and huge cliffhangers, but this revelation will leave you gobsmacked. Sally St Claire has been trying to get close to John Paul ever since she turned up in the village. And although many of us believed she had a crush on the hunky teacher, it turns out she is John Paul’s biological father. Well we weren’t expecting that. Annie Wallace, who plays Sally St Claire, exclusively told Daily Star Online: “Sally has come to Hollyoaks to look for her son. “In her own misunderstood…Continue reading Is Ms St Claire really John Paul’s father? Hollyoaks’ Annie Wallace reveals all

Hollyoaks star Annie Wallace reveals the aftermath as Mrs St Claire is revealed as John Paul McQueen’s dad!

From Metro.co.uk – 14th March 2016 Whoa – did any of you Hollyoaks fans see that stunning twist coming? Mrs St Claire – aka headteacher, Sally – definitely came to the village for a reason and it was to meet her son John Paul McQueen. John Paul has felt uncomfortable by Sally’s favourable treatment of him but put her behaviour down to to a crush or a form of hero worship given the close bond that they have formed. However, the truth is that they are way closer than that – and Myra knows the score too as E4 viewers…Continue reading Hollyoaks star Annie Wallace reveals the aftermath as Mrs St Claire is revealed as John Paul McQueen’s dad!

Hollyoaks EXCLUSIVE: Miss St Claire’s secret exposed – she’s John Paul McQueen’s dad!

From OK! Magazine Online – 14th March 2016 The star, who joined the soap last year, revealed there was “emotionally raw” scenes to come on the soap as her secret is exposed. Annie, who plays school headmistress Sally St. Claire, was the first transgender actress in British soap when she joined last year. Speaking exclusively to OK! Online, Annie revealed how her character reacts when she comes face-to-face with John Paul’s mother Myra McQueen for the first time since their past. She teased: “Sally’s very shocked. You see on her face that ‘Okay, this moment was bound to happen at some point’.”…Continue reading Hollyoaks EXCLUSIVE: Miss St Claire’s secret exposed – she’s John Paul McQueen’s dad!

The Sparkle National Transgender Awards 2016

Sparkle the National Transgender Charity are proud to announce The National Transgender Awards which will recognise those individuals; companies; social groups; support groups and venues that have significantly helped the Trans* community over the last 12 months. Public nominations have now closed and the shortlist can be found here Ntga Shortlist Public voting on Shortlist will be closed in mid-March. Announcements of winners at the National Transgender Awards on Thursday 24th March 2016 Place Your Vote Now It’s really easy to vote – just complete the On Line Voting Form. Annie Wallace and Kellie Maloney will be hosting the ceremony…Continue reading The Sparkle National Transgender Awards 2016

Soap power: 6 life-changing storylines that had an impact

From Digitalspy – 3rd February 2016 Character resurrections, staggering stunts and baby plots aplenty, soaps are often criticised for their improbable scenarios. But as Emmerdale has proved recently, these shows can also deliver groundbreaking storylines that have the ability to change lives. Emotional scenes this week saw Aaron have the most difficult conversation of his life, as he told his mum Chas that he was sexually abused by his father Gordon as a child.  And Aaron is far from the first soap character whose tragic story has raised awareness of an important social issue. Here are six plots which had an impact far beyond the living room.   1. Esther’s suicide attempt in Hollyoaks led…Continue reading Soap power: 6 life-changing storylines that had an impact

Transforming Soaps To Represent Real Life

From Canterbury Post – 19th January 2016 Back in October, the media was abuzz with casting news for two of Britain’s most popular soap operas. Eastenders led the way with the announcement that trans actor Riley Carter Millington would be coming onboard as the mysterious Kyle and shortly afterwards, Hollyoaks announced that trans actress Annie Wallace would be cast as headteacher Sally St Claire. Although by no means the first trans actors to grace the screens, this was a huge step forward – these shows are watched by huge audiences across the country on a weekly basis, which can only…Continue reading Transforming Soaps To Represent Real Life

Annie Wallace praises Hollyoaks plot: “Hopefully stories like Mrs St Claire’s will inspire confidence”

From Digitalspy – 15th January 2016 Hollyoaks star Annie Wallace has said that she hopes her character Mrs St Claire’s story will inspire confidence and raise awareness. Wallace is  ​the first ever transgender character on Hollyoaks to be played by a trans actress, but her alter-ego will be left distraught next week, when Peri Lomax spitefully exposes her past next week, prompting her to subsequently resign. It remains to be seen if Mrs St Claire can weather the storm or not, but Wallace is glad that the transgender community is receiving a wider representation on TV. Riley Carter Millington recently joined EastEnders as the first transgender…Continue reading Annie Wallace praises Hollyoaks plot: “Hopefully stories like Mrs St Claire’s will inspire confidence”