Lance Timothy Powell is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera Brookside, played by Mickey Poppins.
This garnered criticism from the audience and Marquess received letters stigmatising Lance as a "betrayal of all gay men".
But Marquess had played Lance as a "reaction" to gay characters from EastEnders who he believed only talked about their sexuality and suffered homophobia.
Lance also strikes up a popular double act with Bev and begins a relationship with Fred Gonzalez (Richard Calkin).
Poppins worked alongside the serial's producer Paul Marquess as writers for fellow soap opera Coronation Street.
[2] Poppins played Lance for a total of three years and he later told Joe Riley from the Liverpool Echo that he was proud to have been a part of Brookside.
Brookside's producer Marquess told Tina Ogle from The Guardian that "I've had a lot of letters saying he is a betrayal of all gay men.
"[6] He explained that when Lance was created, they decided to play him as a "reaction" to the characters of Tony Hills (Mark Homer) and Simon Raymond (Andrew Lynford) from EastEnders.
"[6] The actor later told Marion McMullen from the Coventry Evening Telegraph that Lance is a great character who is not a part of the series to deal with themes of gay issues.
Poppins told the Sunday Mail's Hendry that their "comes from [himself and White] genuinely getting on together" and their friendship shows on-screen.
[2] In one storyline Bev marries Lance's Brazilian boyfriend Fred Gonzalez (Richard Calkin) to keep him in the country.
[2] Poppins named Lance's most memorable moment as being when he moved in with Max Farnham (Steven Pinder) because it was "great" and "tickled" him.
[8] The storyline concluded with Bev changing her mind about the baby leaving Lance and Fred "distraught".
He later clashes with Dave Burns (Simon Chadwick), who suggests that Lance may be lying about his long-distance boyfriend Fred.
For the portrayal of Lance and Bev, Poppins and White received a nomination for "Best On-screen Partnership" at the 2001 British Soap Awards.
[16] Ian Hyland from the Sunday Mirror criticised the scenes in which Bev asked Lance to father a child.
[18][19] Tony Stewart from the Daily Mirror thought that Lance was so camp that he made "Graham Norton look butch".
When Lance is made homeless and Max takes him in, Purnell quipped: "since the lad is as camp as a row of tents I would have thought he would have been more comfortable under canvas.
"[21] After a short absence from the screen in 2001, Rob Driscoll, writing for the Daily Record, said that it was "great" to have Lance back.
[22] A writer from Liverpool Echo said that Poppins is instantly recognisable as "camp Lance Powell, the long-suffering brother of troublemaker Leanne".
Lance has a knack for "bringing any room to life" and the only irritating thing about him is his "constant tales" about "our Leanne".