ON POWERFUL ROLE I was non-verbal until I was 12... now I'm so proud to play someone just like me!

Bradley relishing chance to spread awareness of autism

- BY CHRISTINE SMITH

Emmerdale's Bradley Riches says he is relishing the opportunity to portray the challenges of living with autism, as he shares how he went from being nonverbal until 12 to becoming a rising star of TV at 23.

The actor reveals his uplifting story from being diagnosed with autism at nine and his family being told he would never work, to starring in the ITV soap, in the hope he can reassure others they are not alone, and can flourish too.

Bradley says: "I am so proud to be playing Lewis. There was never anyone like me on TV when I was growing up, and I hope by exploring his character more, we can kill off misconceptions that being autistic is negative. It isn't.

"I didn't go to school until I was nine when I got my diagnosis. Up until then, I was in my own little bubble at home playing with Lego and communicating via cards on the wall. If I wanted a different pair of socks, for instance, I would whack the socks on the wall.

"My way of communicating would be to tap things through sounds, actions or colours. When I look back on how I did not speak, I think I was comfortable in my home setting. I thought the way I communicated was normal."

Since Lewis Barton arrived in the Dales in May, viewers have seen glimpses of his autism, and in recent weeks, he has confided in his colleague Nicola King how he can mask his true feelings in social situations.

However, next week things come to a head when he finds himself struggling at a party, and he flees to seek refuge with Nicola, played by Nicola Wheeler.