Gary Hailes

Gary Hailes is an actor who played the first homosexual on EastEnders along with Michael Cashman who played Colin Russell his on-screen partner. The two dealt with a lot of aggro from both the audience and the press as EastEnders became the first soap opera to feature a homosexual kiss. However Hailes went on to serve three years on the soap opera as a regular cast member from 1986 to 1988 and for one episode in 1989 as Cashman had decided to leave his role as Colin and Hailes was reintroduced to the show for his exit storyline.

Since leaving EastEnders, Hailes has been involved in productions such as The Killing Zone, The Bill, Horizon and the BBC's production of Pinocchio. As well as juggling his acting career, Hailes has also taken up as a taxi-driver in London.