Former EastEnders actor John Partridge has lifted the lid on a surprising behind-the-scenes restriction that once governed his romantic storyline with Marc Elliott’s character, Syed Masood.

The “One Shirt Off” Rule

Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Partridge explained that during bedroom scenes with Syed, only one actor was allowed to be shirtless at a time. “Funny thing is, when I was in EastEnders, when Marc Elliot and I would do any scenes in the bedroom, only one of us was allowed to have our shirt off because we were a gay couple,” he said.

He compared the restriction to heterosexual storylines in soaps and dramas, noting that straight couples were allowed to show “as much skin as they liked.” With a laugh, Partridge added, “Needless to say, I was the one who had his top off. But that just goes to show that it is alive and well.”

A Storyline That Made History

Partridge’s character Christian Clarke became part of one of EastEnders’ most talked-about relationships when he fell in love with Syed, a man struggling with his sexuality under the weight of a conservative Muslim family. The pairing, nicknamed “Chryed” by fans, broke ground on primetime television but clearly faced behind-the-scenes limitations.

Beyond the Square – Fighting for Representation

Partridge also discussed his latest role in the play The Code, where he portrays interior designer Billy Haines. Haines, once one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars in the 1930s, was forced to choose between his career and his partner. He chose love, sacrificing his place in Hollywood’s golden era.

Partridge connected Haines’ story to the present day, pointing out that openly gay leading men in Hollywood remain rare. “Why is that? What’s the reason for that? I hate to say it but there’s no other word for it – it’s homophobia. You cannot be a leading man in Hollywood if you are gay,” he said.

He added that even now, performers are often encouraged to hide their identity: “Actors, musicians today are actively encouraged to withhold their sexuality, withhold their identity in order to be successful.”

A Conversation Still Relevant

More than a decade after Christian and Syed’s romance first aired, Partridge’s revelations highlight how far television has come—and how far it still has to go. His candid words shed light on the quiet rules that once shaped LGBTQ+ representation and the enduring pressure for stars to conceal who they truly are.