From a Non-Verbal Childhood to Confidently Playing Lewis Barton, Riches Shares the Emotional Journey That Touched Thousands – “It Gave Me a Voice When I Had None”

LEEDS – November 26, 2025 – Bradley Riches, the 24-year-old Emmerdale actor who has won hearts as cheeky newcomer Lewis Barton, has broken his silence in a deeply moving interview, revealing how acting became his lifeline after receiving an autism diagnosis at age nine. In a candid conversation with Inside Soap, Riches opened up about growing up non-verbal, struggling to communicate, and finding salvation through performance. “Acting saved me,” he said, voice trembling with emotion. “It gave me a voice when I literally had none.” His honesty about struggle, resilience, and finally finding his place has touched thousands, with fans flooding social media to praise his bravery and call his story “life-changing.”

Riches, born in Surrey, was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at nine after years of being “selectively mute” at school. “I could speak at home, but outside I just… couldn’t,” he recalled. “I’d freeze. Words wouldn’t come. I felt trapped inside my own head.” Bullying followed, with classmates mocking his silence and teachers misunderstanding his needs. Drama club became his sanctuary. “On stage, I could be someone else – the words were written for me, the reactions were scripted. It was safe.” By 15, he landed his first professional role in a West End workshop, and the path to acting became clear.

Joining Emmerdale in 2024 as Lewis Barton – the charming, quick-witted nephew of established character Vanessa Woodfield – marked a full-circle moment. “Lewis is confident, funny, a bit cheeky – everything I wasn’t as a kid,” Riches said. “Playing him feels like proof I made it.” Off-screen, he’s become a quiet advocate, working with the National Autistic Society and visiting schools to speak about neurodiversity. “I want kids who feel like I did to know they’re not broken – they’re just different, and that’s powerful.”

The response has been overwhelming. #BradleyRiches topped UK trends with 1.2 million posts, viewers sharing tearful messages: “You’ve just described my son – thank you for giving him hope.” Co-star Lisa Riley (Mandy Dingle) posted: “Our Bradley is magic on and off screen – so proud.” Emmerdale bosses praised his openness, confirming upcoming storylines will explore autism through a new character.

Riches, who came out as gay in 2023 and now lives with his fiancé in Leeds, says sharing his journey has lifted a weight. “I spent years hiding parts of myself. Now I’m whole.” His memoir, A Different Kind of Superpower, is set for release in 2026.

From a silent child to one of British TV’s brightest young talents, Bradley Riches proves that sometimes the greatest roles aren’t written – they’re lived.