Backstage battle over 'H&A' lesbian plot

A backstage battle has erupted between Seven Network executives over Home and Away's controversial lesbian plotline, reports The Australian.

The newspaper's Media Diary blog reports that Seven's drama chief John Holmes had begged the producers of current affairs programme Today Tonight not to air a story about the storyline which gave a platform to anti-gay groups, but was overruled by Seven news executive Peter Meakin.

“We just wanted to tell the story with honesty - there was no attempt to be prurient or sensationalist,” a Home and Away insider told the newspaper.

The much-hyped storyline, which made headlines after conservative groups called for it to be scrapped, will climax tonight in Australia when Charlie (Esther Anderson) and Joey (Kate Bell) share an intimate kiss onboard a boat.