Hollyoaks star David Ames discusses Carter and John Paul's huge new story

 His motives have been revealed.

Hollyoaks actor David Ames has spoke about Carter Shepherd's upcoming major storyline involving John Paul McQueen.

It was revealed last week that Carter wants to put John Paul through 'conversion therapy', a dangerous practice that attempts to 'turn' gay people straight.

Speaking about his sinister character, the former Holby City star explained why his character is the way he is, and why Carter actually believes what he intends to do to John Paul is coming from a place of friendship.

"It's pretty evident something's happened to Carter in his past to push him into this place, and to take his beliefs to extremes," Ames told Inside Soap magazine.

"He's been triggered in some way, and his self-loathing is bubbling underneath. It's really interesting to play somebody who is incredibly astute and in control of what he puts across. He wants to be seen as a family man, the respectable headmaster, somebody willing to help. But you wouldn't want to cross him.

He genuinely wants to help John Paul. For Carter, the fascination of somebody who lives openly and freely is a morbid curiosity.

"He sees a man who can live honestly, and that's something I don't think Carter has ever felt he can do."

Ames also described playing someone completely different from his Holby role "one of the joys of [acting]", whilst stating how important it was to raise awareness of the harm 'conversion therapy' causes.

"I've spoken to people who have undergone conversion therapy, and it takes a long time to get back from that," he said. "Some people still bear the scars of it emotionally."

Hollyoaks streams first online via Channel 4 each weekday at 7.30pm. Episodes then air on E4 the following day, before getting their YouTube premiere a week after that.