'Hollyoaks' star: 'Gay bullying must stop'

Hollyoaks star Gerard McCarthy has called for an end to bullying of gay pupils in schools.

The actor, who plays bisexual Kris Fisher in the Channel 4 soap, is backing gay group Stonewall's Education For All programme, which aims to stamp out homophobia in the classroom.

He urged people to sign up to an Equality Walk in Barcelona in July, saying: "I wore the t-shirt in Hollyoaks to help highlight the campaign.

"So many young people have experienced homophobic bullying while at school and it really has to stop."

Stonewall's School Report found that 65% of lesbian, gay and bisexual pupils have been bullied for their sexuality, while 97% hear homophobic insults such as 'poof', 'dyke' and 'queer'.