Best of the Brits: Nine of the Hottest Gay Couples on UK Television

While better than in the U.S., gay characters on UK TV are nonetheless still too few and far between. Although generally reduced to playing in the minor leagues — particular when it comes to secure, loving and stable relationships — there’s still been a few unforgettable (not to mention sexy!) gay TV couples.

1. John Paul McQueen and Craig Dean (Hollyoaks)

Currently one of the most talked about gay couples on British TV, there’s no denying that adorable John Paul (James Sutton) and moody-but-sexy Craig (Guy Burnet) are responsible for putting the hot into Hollyoaks.

2. Captain Jack Harkness and Ianto Jones (Torchwood)

They say opposites attract. Captain Jack (John Barrowman) is charming, confident and drop-dead gorgeous, while Ianto (Gareth David-Lloyd) is quiet and calm, but with hidden depths. Not a couple in the strictest sense, but there’s lots of lingering tension. Oh, and there was that kiss! (Slash art by The Theban Band)

Best friends with added benefits! Rich, gorgeous and the centre of attention, Stuart (Aiden Gillen) thinks he’s pretty much perfection. And so do we! Vince (Craig Kelly) on the other hand is sweet, adorable and funny. And he fancies the pants off his best friend.

From the moment they met at a dinner party there was an instant attraction, and Paul (Matthew Bose) playing hard to get only made Johnny (Richard Grieve) more interested. Johnny is a silver fox (think Richard Gere!) and Paul, with his adorable puppy dog eyes, is far cuter out of drag than in!

With his blond hair, flamboyant clothes, flashy motors and permanent sun tan, Conrad (Ben Price) oozes charisma and sex appeal. Having the body of a Greek God helps too! Bisexual Conrad had an affair with his gay Earl’s Park FC team mate Noah (Marcel McCalla). It didn’t last but it made for some steamy viewing!

6. Warren Jones and Ferdy Garcia (This Life)

With his pinstripe suits, serious demeanour and a propensity to fret, Warren (Jason Hughes) was never going to make a gay icon. Ferdy (Ramon Tikaram) on the other hand was a conflicted biker in black leather that batted for both sides. Their relationship was problematic from the start. But it didn’t stop them “shagging into another dimension for six hours”!

Both tall, dark and handsome, one’s a doctor, the other a writer. Greg (Ben Jones) and Rico (Felix D’Alviella) even made it up the altar. And daytime drama Doctors made history when it became the first soap to stage their on-screen gay wedding.

Cute as a button PC Luke Ashton (Scott Neal) should have married pretty blond colleague Kerry. But on the day he was due to get hitched, he was caught in bed with openly gay Sergeant Craig Gilmore (Hywel Simons).

Colin (Michael Cashman) was an upper class yuppie (remember them?!) and Barry (Gary Hailes) sold fruit and veg! They may not be the sexiest couple in the list, but back in 1987, over 17 million viewers watched as the couple shared the first ever gay kiss in a UK soap. Now that's sexy!