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Neighbours executive producer Susan Bower has revealed that she is "proud" of the way the show handled its first ever male gay kiss.
This week, the long-running soap aired scenes in Australia where Chris Pappas (James Mason) passionately embraced on-screen boyfriend Adan Foster (Bob Morley).
Bower said that she wanted to treat the kiss like any other on the show, telling the Herald Sun: "It's not sensationalist or token - we are very proud of the way we have done this."
In 2004, Neighbours faced a backlash when they televised a lesbian kiss between schoolgirls Sky Mangel and Lana Crawford, but last night's episode only invoked praise on social networking sites.
One fan wrote on Twitter: "Well done to @james_mason15 for showing its ok to be gay. Be proud."
Morley has previously said of the kissing scenes: "The boys are there at the party and just share this intimate moment, as couples do. I take my hat off to the producers of Neighbours for going with it and not sensationalising it. There is still a taboo around the subject, but there shouldn't be at all."
He also said that he and Mason "put a lot of time and effort into getting the physicality" between their characters right, saying that they didn't want to "come across as two straight guys pretending to be gay".
Neighbours airs these scenes in the UK in May.
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Neighbours star Bob Morley has returned to the soap as Aidan Foster.
The actor has been away on a ten-week break, but has returned to Ramsay Street with a new hairstyle.
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© Channel 5
Morley's usual shoulder length hair has been swapped for a shorter cut, due to the actor's role in the film Blinder, according to Channel 5.
The actor's return sees gay nurse Aidan re-encounter love interest Chris Pappas (James Mason).
However, the pair have recently broken up, which Morley feels gives a good reason for his dramatic new haircut.
"I think it works that the character comes back looking a little different after a break-up, it's what you do," said Morley.
On the couple's break-up, he added: "That's Ramsay Street for you, one minute it's on, then it's off. However, I don't think the producers have me back for my nursing skills.
"Lots more to come with those two."
The break-up scenes between the pair are due to air in the UK this week.
Mason and Morley became the actors to film the first ever gay kiss on Neighbours earlier this year.
