Emmerdale actor Bradley Riches opened up about his autism diagnosis and how drama classes helped him on ITV’s Loose Women
Bradley Riches said acting saved him
Emmerdale favourite Bradley Riches has opened up about his autism diagnosis and how acting “saved” him.
The star – who portrays Lewis Barton in the ITV soap – received his diagnosis aged nine and did not communicate with words until he turned 10. But during his Friday (November 21) stint on ITV’s Loose Women, he shared how drama classes helped, reports the Mirror.
Reflecting on his journey, the Heartstopper actor told the panel: “So, with me, for example, especially with my childhood, I didn’t use words for formal communication until I was 10.”
When quizzed about his communication methods, Bradley revealed: “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.”
Bradley opened up on Loose Women
Questioned about whether drama lessons had made a difference, he responded: “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’.”
He continued: “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.”
The actor was diagnosed at nine
Bradley added: “So through a character, I’ve kind of embedded, OK, how would Bradley say this? How would I do this?”
He concluded: “Through acting, it was kind of an escapism, and it was kind of changing.”
Bradley, 23, made his debut on ITV’s Emmerdale this year as Lewis Barton and was thrilled to take on the role.
Bradley jumped at the chance to play Lewis in the ITV soap(Image: ITV)
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.
“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,” he 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
