Hollyoaks’ Kieron Richardson quit Twitter after trolls targeted his kids following harrowing soap storyline
HOLLYOAKS star Kieron Richardson quit Twitter after trolls targeted his kids following his harrowing racism soap storyline.
The 33-year-old actor made the decision to come off the social media site in March.
Kieron, who shares two-year-old twins Phoebe and Chase with husband Carl Hyland, 36, told OK! magazine: "I had people saying things like: ‘You’re teaching your kid to be racist. You’re an irresponsible parent.’
“I just couldn’t deal with people saying things about my kids.”
Carl added: "When I see those comments, I want to retaliate but then I’m becoming a keyboard warrior myself and I don’t want to do that."
Kieron's Hollyoaks character Ste Hay has been at the centre of one of the soap's most controversial storyline's after he was groomed by Jonny Baxter (Ray Quinn), resulting in him joining a right wing extremist group.
The shocking scenes have seen Ste pulled further into the far-right extremist ways of Jonny - who has played on Ste's grudge against the Maaliks.
Ste’s radicalisation storyline first started when Ste wrongly accused Dr Misbah Maalik for the death of his sister Tegan.
And Kieron has even previously admitted that the backlash he received online caused him to try and "water down" the role for fear of offending.
MOST READ IN TV & SHOWBIZ
He told Daily Star Online: "It is so hard to watch and it is very controversial but it has to be like that as that is real life.
"I deleted my Twitter because people were hating on me and then I was trying to water down my performance as I didn't want to offend people, but that is the wrong way to do it.
Got a story? email digishowbiz@the-sun.co.uk or call us direct on 02077824220.
We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.