Tip Toe spoilers follow.
Tip Toe star Alan Cumming has addressed his character Leo Struthers' 'ferocious' death in the series. The acclaimed Russell T Davies drama concluded its run last night, explaining Leo's shocking killing after being seen hanging from a lamppost in the show's opening.
The Channel 4 series follows the preceding feud between Leo, the owner of a gay bar in Manchester's Canal Street, and his straight neighbour Clive (David Morrissey).
Related: Is Tip Toe based on a true story? The devastating final episode's end credit cards, explained
Opening up about the harrowing conclusion, Cumming told Metro: "[Leo’s] death was the first thing I talked to Russell about before I got the script. I knew he’d die, but the ferociousness of it, I thought, was brilliant."
The star admitted it "affected" him, and despite everyone being "so kind and caring about it", it was "so traumatic to do".
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"Just having something around your neck like that is so traumatic," he elaborated.
The team took a week off after filming the difficult scene, though Cumming shared that something changed when he returned to set, and he was ready to wrap up work.
"I loved doing this," Cumming continued. "I love playing Leo. I love this show. I’ve wanted to work with Russell in this way for so long, and it’s finally happened, and it’s this incredible role for me.
"It’s an incredible part, and for a man of my age and my sexuality and my place in life, everything about it is just the perfect confluence, and yet it was the part that I think I have most wanted to be over. I had such fun. I loved the people, but him, the heaviness of [Leo], what I carried, it was very difficult."
He added: "Inevitably, any character [you play], there’s you in it, your spirit. So I was murdered by a group of people who think I am worthless, and it takes you a while to get over that.
"I really connected with Leo. I’ve got a lot in common with them… it was really, really difficult, and I am very emotional about it."
Tip Toe is available on Channel 4.
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Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.
