Gay characters are expressing themselves like never before in Western soap operas

At last, they did it - not once, but three times! And it was worth the wait.

After 211 days 14 hours 45 minutes and 45 seconds, last week Noah and Luke (aka "Nuke") were finally allowed to kiss onscreen in America's two-decades-running daytime soap "As the World Turns".

This year's Valentine's Day episode caused uproar when, in the middle of this romantic drought, all the other (straight) couples on the show got their kisses and all our favourite couple got was a hug.

An outraged fan used his website - LukeAndNoahFans. com - to post a clock counting how much time had passed since they last locked lips. Petitions were signed for the show's producer - and consumer products manufacturer - Procter & Gamble to stand up to the usual protests from Middle America and respect their LGBT audience.

Thanks to YouTube, it's become easy to follow these developments: go to www.

 YouTube.com/user/LukeVan Fan for Nuke episodes. And it's even better than the real thing, as parts of the shows not related to our cuties are edited out, so you don't waste time watching twisted straight relationships.

But with the Nuke storyline getting weird lately, my attention has turned elsewhere. Across the Atlantic, people are much less uptight about same-sex smooches and there's often much more skin displayed. Again on YouTube, you can watch several European shows at the same time and - believe it or not - they are even English-subtitled!

Of particular note are the German dramas, which tend               to have much more realistic story lines. Try the tormented relationship of ice hockey          player Deniz and figure skater Roman at www.YouTube.com/ user/AllAboutStrength. Even saucier is the love triangle                between Oliver, hottie Christian and his girlfriend Coco - see www.YouTube. com/user/ichglotzutube.

Now if someone would           make subtitles for John Paul and Craig on Britain's "Hollyoaks", my life would                  be perfect. (But don't even ask me when Thai television will catch up.)

xtra

Hottest soap smoochers

>> Noah and Luke on "As the World Turns"

>> Deniz and Roman on "All About Strength"

>> John Paul and Craig

on "Hollyoaks"