Ray Quinn has been branded a racist after playing far-right extremist Jonny Baxter in 'Hollyoaks'.
Ray Quinn as Jonny Baxter
The 30-year-old actor admitted he has been abused by people in the street who have confused him with his character and he was once almost refused service in a coffee shop after being confused for a racist.
Speaking to 'Good Morning Britain' hosts Adil Ray and Charlotte Hawkins, Ray explained: "I've had a couple of [abusive comments] from people in the street.
"I was in a coffee shop one time and I was asking for a coffee and the lady said, 'Oh don't serve him he's racist'. And I had to sort of elaborate on the story to tell the geezer who was serving me, 'I'm not, I'm playing one in 'Hollyoaks'!' I had to reassure him and he was like, 'Sorry mate, don't watch it'."
Although the role has led to some real-life abuse, Ray admitted he has loved the challenge of playing such a vile character.
He said: "As an actor, it's more of a challenge for anyone to be in such a storyline like this, but the challenge to be the nasty guy, for me playing Jonny, there's so much more choice as far as acting is concerned. Tackling the storyline that's very challenging, very controversial."
The current 'Hollyoaks' storyline sees Ste Hay (Kieron Richardson) being groomed by Baxter's far-right organisation and co-star Rishi Nair, whose character Sami Maalik is targeted by the thugs, admitted he has been the subject of racism in his own life.
He said: "Luckily I grew up in London where I haven't had a lot of racism, having said that growing up as a brown person in this country I have. Mostly when I was younger growing up in London and on the football pitch mainly. Sunday league football. So when I started this, I could kind of use that... when you start experiencing racism as a kid, it's that thing where when someone says something to you on the street, you second guess yourself like, 'did that happen? Maybe I'm overthinking it and it's not happening'."
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