Gerard McCarthy

'Whoever said bisexuality increased your chances of a date was obviously not a resident of Chester'

Plays Kris Fisher

Born on March 31 1981, Gerard was brought up in West Belfast in Northern Ireland. He attended St Mary's Grammar School and was a member of the Ulster Youth Theatre.

A talented actor and dancer, Gerard was given a scholarship to study Musical Theatre and Dance at the Laine Theatre Arts School in Epsom, Surrey. After graduating he starred in West End stage shows Mamma Mia! and Saturday Night Fever.

As well as acting, Gerard has turned his hand to presenting and hosted BBC1's local news show Inside Out. He has also interviewed the likes of Kym Ryder, David Hasselhoff and Dermot O'Leary for Virgin Mobile and hosted backstage coverage of the 2007 V Festival for Virgin Media.

Gerard has appeared in Panto in Belfast in Jack and the Beanstalk, although he had a slight mishap when he fell off the beanstalk and had to be checked out in hospital!

Hollyoaks is Gerard's first major TV acting role and he auditioned for several parts on the soap before being asked to play Kris.

One of Gerard's best mates is Corrie star Kym Ryder and the friends met when they starred in Saturday Night Fever. Gerard is an ambassador for the Northern Ireland Children’s Hospice and the NSPCC.