Emmerdale’s Bradley Riches – who stars as Lewis Barton in the ITV soap – revealed that acting classes had on big impact on him
Bradley Riches appeared on Loose Women
Emmerdale star Bradley Riches revealed that acting “saved” him as he opened up about being on the autistic spectrum.
The actor – who plays Lewis Barton in the ITV soap – was diagnosed at nine and did not use words to communicate until he was 10.
However, during an appearance on ITV’s Loose Women on Friday (November 21) he told how drama classes had helped him.
Discussing his experience, the Heartstopper star told the panel: “So, with me, for example, especially with my childhood, I didn’t use words for formal communication until I was 10.”
Asked how he communicated, Bradley explained: “Through, like, sound, movement, communication cards. For example, if my shoes weren’t feeling right, I would have a card and slap it to communicate with my parents.”
The actor appeared on ITV’s Loose Women
Asked if drama classes had helped, he said: “Yeah, I feel like acting definitely saved me in a lot of ways. It’s like, obviously, growing up, not speaking, and then my nan being like, ‘Oh, let’s just throw him into a drama class for confidence.’
“I was like, OK, that’s bonkers. But I went in there and then I would start listening to you know, like you’re watching TV, like these American accents, and slowly over time, I was putting these accents on, and through characters, I kind of learn via myself.
“So through a character, I’ve kind of embedded, OK, how would Bradley say this? How would I do this?
The actor is on the autistic spectrum
“Through acting, it was kind of an escapism, and it was kind of changing.”
Bradley, 23, joined ITV’s Emmerdale this year as Lewis Barton and revealed that he jumped at the opportunity.
He told the panel: “When I found out Lewis was an autistic character, it was, everything I do, every job I take, I’ve always wanted to kind of fly the flag for the community I’m a part of, like, be it the queer community or the autistic community.
The actor joined Emmerdale this year(Image: ITV)
“So, when I found out, you know, Lewis was a double, gay and autistic, I was like, get in there!”
“I mean, I have always wanted to tell stories, autistic stories, especially positive ones,” the actor added.
Loose Women airs at 12.30pm on ITV on weekdays and Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 at 7.30pm and available to stream from 7am on ITVX
