Joe Locke wants to get "hate-tweeted" by Donald Trump.
The 21-year-old actor is best known for playing Charlie Spring in 'Heartstopper' and he admitted he is surprised the Netflix drama - which is centred on the romance between his character and Kit Connor's Nick Nelson - hasn't attracted more vocal criticism from certain areas.
He told The Guardian's Saturday magazine: “This world is a very scary place sometimes, and it feels a bit weird that 'Heartstopper' has almost been immune to that – a lot of queer shows get a lot of hate from rightwing groups, and 'Heartstopper' doesn’t, and I don’t really understand why.
"You’ll often hear Trump supporters talking about queer people and queer shows.
“I want to get hate-tweeted by Donald Trump!”
Joe came out as gay to his mum when he was 12 years old and his friends not long afterwards, but he doesn't feel actors need to share their characters' sexuality.
He said: “I wouldn’t want to not be able to play a straight character, so I don’t think it’s fair to stop someone straight – who can do all the research – from playing a gay character.
“As long as you’re playing a part authentically and with the best intentions – you’re not just playing a stereotype – then go for it.”
And while he thinks "representation is really important", the 'Agatha All Along' actor is keen to take on a wide range of roles.
He said: “I get a lot of auditions for more gay teenage characters, very similar parts, and, while they’re great, I’ve played two gay characters now.
“Not that I would not want to play another gay character, but I want to be a versatile actor, not get stamped.”
Joe feels "very lucky" he wasn't bullied at school because of his sexuality.
He said: "I wasn’t bullied, but I was also in a very lucky position. There are a lot more issues in schools than people might think, to do with that.
"Teenagers can be horrible people. Really mean. I don’t know if that will ever change.
"But the things they’re being mean about might have changed.
"Definitely, people still do get bullied for their sexuality; but you might not be bullied for that, and still get bullied for wearing the wrong shoes.
"I was very lucky that I didn’t, but then I was also very quick with my tongue at school.”
