Coronation Street star Antony Cotton – who of course plays gay barman and factory worker Sean Tully – has revealed that he believes the Church of England need to “move with the times” and permit same sex marriages.

The issue of same sex marriages has of course long been a contentious one, with right wing opinion being that it should not be permitted by the Church, while others believe that men and women should be able to marry within their own gender in a church if they wish to make that commitment.

The government is currently looking at proposals to allow same sex marriages, however some members of the clergy argue that permitting gay weddings would “dilute the institute of marriage.”

In an interview with the Manchester Evening News, outspoken Antony said, “I’ve heard many comments – from the craziest, most out of touch, lunatic clerics to the most sensible of Church representatives…

“Nothing surprises me any more. My view is simple – equality is equality is equality.

”If the Church is going to move forward and remain relevant, it has to move with the times. Young people, generally, couldn’t give a damn if people are gay…

“They are resilient and accept it. It’s not enough any more to say that the Church is set in its ways.

“They can’t have an appendix where there are stipulations on equality. What’s illegal is determined by the state – not the Church.”

Do you agree with Antony’s view or do you think it would be wrong to allow same sex marriages within the Church of England?