Kieron Richardson: 'I look up to Emmett' (VIDEO)

Kieron Richardson says he looks up to his Hollyoaks co-star Emmett J Scanlan, following a big year for the actor both on- and off-screen.

Kieron, who plays Ste Hay in the Channel 4 soap, and Irish actor Emmett were nominated for Best On-Screen Partnership at the British Soap Awards with Emmett winning awards for Best Newcomer and Villain of the Year.

In the soap, Ste came out as gay and suffered abuse from boyfriend Brendan Brady, played by Emmett.

Kieron said: "Emmett is a lot more advanced than me as an actor so he's been like my teacher. What he's taught me has come across on screen and I've shone a bit more than I did in the past.

And he's pleased with the way viewers responded to both himself and his character coming out as gay.

"It was a big thing for me to do and it could have really backfired. But all round it's been a positive thing to do."

CLICK below to watch an interview with Kieron Richardson