Hollyoaks stars Kéllé Bryan and Chelsee Healey have opened up about their children's experiences with racism as part of a powerful podcast hosted by the Channel 4 show.
The soap actors – who play Martine Deveraux and Goldie McQueen, respectively – appeared as guests on Don't Filter Feelings recently, for a special instalment entitled Racism and my Children.
The episode, presented by Loose Women's Brenda Edwards, is the second part in an ongoing series that sees cast members and guests delve into issues relevant to the Black Lives Matter movement, which has sparked calls for social change around the world.
Related: Hollyoaks introduces diversity action plan after reports of racism on set
"Unfortunately, my children were exposed to racism from very young," Bryan explained during the candid conversation. "[My son] came home and he was really upset, and at that point I'd raised him to see people as human beings and as people, not as colours….
"I had to have a conversation with [my son] about race and I explained the differences between black and white people and the difficulties that that might have, and the implications of that, which he'd already experienced at five," she continued.
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"I think it's really important that my children understand and have a pride in who they are, an understanding of where they've come from and the sacrifices that have been made for them to have the lifestyle that they live, to have the choices they have."
Related: Loose Women's Kéllé Bryan opens up about the racism Eternal experienced
Healey revealed that she received "the most vile, vile message" about her three-year-old daughter not that long ago. She described the comment as being so hurtful, she couldn't help but "burst out crying" when she read it.
"There's been another time when she came back from nursery, and she said 'Mummy, I have brown skin. My friends say I'm brown.' My reaction was, 'Yeah, but you’re beautiful and brown. Brown is so beautiful.'
"I think she's a little bit too young now to be having the conversation with her, but just so she knows that brown is so beautiful."
Don't Filter Feelings: Racism and my Children is available now across all well-known Podcast platforms, including Spotify, Podfollow, Apple Podcasts and Acast. Hollyoaks continues Mondays through Thursdays with first-look episodes on E4, airing at 7pm.
For more information on how you can support Black Lives Matter, please visit its official website or donate here. Readers can also donate to the UK anti-discrimination group Stand Up To Racism, and the Unite Families & Friends Campaign, which supports those affected by deaths in police, prison and psychiatric custody.
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