Andrew is famous for appearing in shows such as Byker Grove and Doctor Who (Image: Channel 4)Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxMore Newsletters SubscribePlease enter a valid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.More NewslettersWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More infoThank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow me See OurPrivacy Notice See OurPrivacy Notice×Group 28 Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxInvalid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.Sign UpNo thanks, closeWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info×Group 28Thank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow MeNo thanks, closeSee our
Privacy NoticeAndrew Hayden-Smith is famous for appearing in shows such as Byker Grove and Doctor Who, but and has previously shared quite a story when it comes to his sexuality. The actor was forced to come out as gay back in the early noughties when he was working as a presenter on CBBC, as others threatened to do it for him if not. Recalling the ordeal back in 2018, he explained: “I did a coming out article in Attitude when I was like 21. And I was a presenter on CBBC at the time. We got a call from a newspaper saying they were gonna do a story on it. And my boss was like, ‘We’ve just had this phonecall… do you wanna just do it yourself in Attitude and get it over with?” So I did it, and then nothing more was said about it.”
Andrew admits people were ‘surprised’ when he came out
(Image: Twitter)
Chatting to QX, he added: “Some people were quite surprised when I came out though. I think because I was from Newcastle, and a little bit laddy, and on Byker Grove.” Back in 2016, Andrew joined the cast of Hollyoaks for a short role as policeman DS Armstrong, but is arguably best known for his role in Ant and Dec’s teen drama Byker Grove. Last year, it was announced that the show is coming back to our screens, leaving fans over the moon. The new, revamped series will return under the name Byker and be filmed and produced in and around the North East again. Ant and Dec, who played fun-loving best friend duo PJ and Duncan in the original series, will serve as executive producers and creative consultants of the reboot.
He now defines himself as an ‘actor and voiceover artist’
Ant said: “We owe such a lot to Byker Grove and the North East so we can’t wait to start working with the team to bring this iconic series back to life. Already talking characters and storylines has us all buzzing at the possibilities ahead. The original series was the starting point for a lot of North East talent so we’re excited to see what the new team will bring.” Dec added: “Byker Grove will always be very special to us as the show which gave us our break, so we are beyond excited to be working together on bringing it back. We are looking forward to bringing this fresh incarnation to a whole new generation as well as those who remember it as fondly as we do. “As proud Geordies, we’re looking forward to help shine a spotlight on the North East and the talent the region has to offer both in front of the camera and behind it.”Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnDoctor Who
