EastEnders star Riley Carter Millington has praised the show's fans for the "overwhelmingly positive" reception they have given him.
The 22-year-old, who has played Kyle Slater since 2015, became the first transgender actor to play a transgender character in the BBC One soap.
Speaking about how his life has changed since signing on for the long-running series, Millington revealed "It's weird to have people following me around in shops!"
The Manchester-born actor also described how his high profile role is increasing understanding about the transgender community.
Millington told The Radio Times how he received a letter from a "trans guy" who had been disowned by his mother, but they are now reconciling because she had seen a similar storyline with Kyle in EastEnders.
In the soap, former Coronation Street star and Loose Women panellist Denise Welch played Alison Slater, Kyle's mother. Kyle was born Sarah Slater, but struggled to live as the person he always felt he was inside.
Kyle has an accepting half-sister in Stacey Fowler, played by Lacey Turner. So far, many of his storylines have revolved around their family connections.
"I'm very happy on EastEnders and Kyle's story has a lot to give," Millington said.
"People think gender is the same as sexuality - they've been asking if Kyle is going to get with Ben Mitchell (played by Harry Reid) - but Kyle's not gay.
"It would be interesting to see him dating girls."
Millington, who now resides in Hertfordshire, said his own family have been "very supportive" to him.
"Obviously, they were surprised - not as much was known about transgender issues six years ago."
