Gavin and Stacey star recalls being part of UK TV’s first lesbian kiss back in the 70s

Gavin and Stacey star Alison Steadman has recalled being a part of UK TV’s first lesbian kiss back in the 1970s. 

Steadman, who is perhaps best known for her role as Gavin’s (Matthew Horne) doting mother Pam in the BBC sitcom, was one half of the first televised lesbian kiss in Britain in 1974. 

The actress, 78, appeared alongside fellow star Myra Frances, who locked lips in the then-controversial kiss. The pair played military officers in the controversial BBC play Girl by James Robson, which depicted gay women in the army as part of the drama anthology series Second City Firsts.

Steadman, who is now appearing in the BBC sitcom Here We Go, was asked by Radio Times whether her lesbian kiss “felt daring” for 1974. 

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Did you know that Gavin & Stacey’s Alison Steadman, aka Pam Shipman, was part of the first lesbian kiss on British TV in 1974? She appeared opposite Myra Frances depicting a pair of military officers in the then-controversial BBC play about gay women in the army, filmed as part of the drama anthology series Second City Firsts. “I don’t think I realised at the time what a big deal it was,” she told the Radio Times. “It was within the first two or three years of me doing television, but I was most concerned for my parents, really.“ “They were from a small community in Liverpool where everybody knew everybody and suddenly their daughter was on television doing a lesbian kiss! But they were so good about it,” she added. #gavinandstacey #alisonsteadman #pamshipman #lesbian #kiss #lgbtqia

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“I don’t think I realised at the time what a big deal it was,” she told the outlet. “It was within the first two or three years of me doing television, but I was most concerned for my parents, really.“

“They were from a small community in Liverpool where everybody knew everybody, and suddenly their daughter was on television doing a lesbian kiss! But they were so good about it,” she added.

Steadman shared that her parents were always “so proud” of her for pursuing a career in acting.

“My dad made this lovely speech… he was sure I’d succeed, but if it wasn’t working out and I wanted to come back home, I shouldn’t be ashamed because the time at drama school will have enriched my life.

“It was such a progressive, compassionate attitude,” said the star. 

In 1994, the first pre-watershed lesbian kiss was portrayed on Brookside between stars Anna Friel and Nicola Stephenson.

The first gay kiss aired on British TV in 1987 on EastEnders, with Michael Cashman and Gary Hailes sharing a quick kiss as characters Colin Russell and Barry Clark.

Two years later, in 1989, Cashman shared a lip-to-lip with Nicholas Donovan, as characters Colin and Guido Smith. Their kiss was so controversial that Conservative MPs and pundits called for the show to be cancelled. 

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