Partridge played gay personal trainer Christian Clarke for almost five years until he left the soap in November with husband Syed Masood (Marc Elliott).
© BBC
© BBC
The actor has spoken of his hopes that the couple's popularity will inspire writers to bring in more homosexual characters.
"We only ever had a positive response from people," he told The Sun.
"It became a love story and the fact that it was two men became immaterial. It really became something that was quite beautiful as opposed to sensational."
He added: "Bring in hot new gays, that's what I say. Everyone needs to be represented - so somebody's got to come flying that pink flag."
John Partridge will appear alongside former EastEnders co-star Nina Wadia in Channel 5's Celebrity Wedding Planner on Friday (January 4).
He will also star in a West End revival of A Chorus Line from early February.
