I recently caught up with EastEnders star John Partridge - who plays Walford's Christian Clarke - to chat about his ongoing gay screen storyline with wannabe property developer Syed Masood (Marc Elliot). We chatted about Christian's discovery that Lucy Beale (Melissa Suffield) is Syed's blackmailer.

Click here to read all about the exposition in the main part of the interview.

But what were John's initial thoughts to the storyline? What's his take on Christian and Jane's relationship? And will we ever see Lynda Baron again as their mother Linda?

Read on to find out!

Were you initially cautious about the storyline?
"Originally, if I'm honest, no I wasn't. I wasn't bothered in the slightest because it's a television programme, not real life, we're actors and I look at things from that perspective. We did have a meeting - myself and the Masoods - with Diederick [Santer] and we spoke about this storyline at length. Marc [Elliott] was pretty much of the same philosophy as me: we thought it was a brilliant story and great for us to play and we were really looking forward to it. It was only when they started talking that Marc started thinking maybe there's going to be something from this.

"When the story broke, I was on holiday in Cyprus and initially Marc and I didn't want them to announce it before it first unfolded on screen. When Christian had a gay kiss about nine months before, we received [lots of] complaints. Because of that, they thought this would be an extremely contentious issue and wanted to release the story before it happened.

"There were all these headlines about 'the most controversial and shocking story ever' and I think because of that, people were expecting this over-the-top, gratuitous, sensationalist thing. However, it's been so cleverly conceived, written and directed, everybody involved has really taken the time to see where we are in this story and see how it's grown. It's about what you haven't seen rather than what you have seen, it's drawn people in with its tenderness.

"There's no 'shocking' element to put people off. In a way, it's something you wouldn't necessarily expect from EastEnders - you would expect to have seen a bit more!

"It is a gay storyline and that's not going to be everybody's cup of tea. Not everyone's going to want to see that in their living room at 7.30pm but we didn't want that to stop us doing the story. That's why it's been done the way it has and it's gained way more popularity because people have been able to see something tender and beautiful between two men that they haven't found offensive and that hasn't put them off. I'm so proud of everybody here for being clever enough to do that and it's been a great thing for the show."

How much do you enjoy Christian and Jane's relationship?
"It's one of those relationships where I don't need to tell her every single thing or be with her all the time but if something really goes wrong, he knows Jane would be there for him and likewise he's there for her. It's like my own relationship with my sister. In actual fact, Laurie and my real-life sister share the same birthday! Both Aries, born on the same day two years apart. We're actually more like brother and sister than anybody knows! I have a great working relationship and personal relationship with Laurie - I love her to death."

What's Christian's take on Jane's baby predicament?
"To be honest, he wants her to have a baby. You could say that's Christian's selfish trait but I think if you need something for your own personal happiness you must go for that. Jane wants a baby - that's what she wants and what will make her happy. In not having one, she'll probably settle but it's going to make her incredibly unhappy and that's something Christian can't understand. He lives his life thinking if that's what you want you've got to go for it and, in some ways, screw the consequences. People make that out to be selfish but if you need something for your own happiness you have to grab the opportunity. Christian would love nothing more for her than to have a baby no matter what the cost. He would encourage her to go for it."

When's Lynda Baron coming back as Christian and Jane's mum Linda?
"God, I don't know - how fabulous is she? She couldn't be more perfect - an old showgirl hoofer! When she was here it was hilarious. Me, Laurie and Lynda singing showtunes and highkicking - it was all eyes, t*ts and teeth down this corridor. I think the thing was I don't think Lynda ever wanted to stay very long. She was quite happy to come in for a little stint and go away. I don't think it's something where she ever thought she'd be here for a long time. I'd love her to come back and give Christian a good talking to - it's when he'll need his mum. She's an absolute legend."

> Partridge: 'I'm immensely proud'

Additional reporting by Philippa Warr