Latest news with #LewisBarton
The Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Emmerdale newcomer Bradley Riches reveals soap bosses allowed him to re-write his scripts for new role as Lewis Barton
EMMERDALE newcomer Bradley Riches has admitted soap bosses allowed him to re-write parts of the script after joining the programme as Lewis Barton. The Netflix actor was unveiled as the ITV soap's new star signing earlier this year and has already become a fan favourite among the viewers of the show. 4 4 Like Bradley, Lewis is autistic and the actor has worked with show bosses in order to carve out the best ways of accurately portraying a character such as Lewis. Speaking to The Sun alongside co-star Natalie J. Robb at this year's British Soap Awards, he revealed how he had been allowed to make changes to the script and dialogue for his character. Heartstopper actor Bradley told us: "I think when they first said he was a neurodivergent character, an autistic character - they were like we really want to use the language that Bradley would use. "They were very open with that. "When I got the first script, for me personally, I don't say 'I have autism', because it feels like an extension - I just say 'I'm autistic' because it is part of me. "So little lines like that I changed and they were very open to that and understanding." He continued: "A lot of the things that people don't understand about Lewis are probably because he is an autistic character. "Him hyperfixating on what the hell happened to his mum and Moira is like 'she was a crazy woman' but he is hyperfixating on what happened to his mum. "He is tunnel vision until he knows the truth." His character Lewis has already begun to cause chaos in the Dales after discovering the true secrets of his biological family. Emmerdale's Amy Walsh admits she took mass soap axing 'personally' Despite initially bonding with his brother Ross Barton, he soon began to fall out with his family as the truth behind his mother Emma's murder came to light. It saw Lewis vow to run to the cops and tell them that it was in fact Moira who killed Emma and not her son, Adam, like they believe. Fans will remember that Adam covered for his mum and took the blame for the killing and went on the run as a result. The incident has largely been forgotten about until Lewis' shock appearance in the village. Bradley first rose to fame in Netflix's smash hit drama, Heartstopper. He then appeared as a housemate in the first revival series of Celebrity Big Brother on ITV last year and was cruelly evicted through the back door just days before the show's final. 4 4
The Sun
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Emmerdale fans ‘work out' shock paternity twist for Ross Barton's new brother Lewis – and it's bad news for Moira Dingle
EMMERDALE fans think they have worked out a shocking paternity twist after Lewis Barton made his soap debut. Netflix actor Bradley Riches made his first appearance on the ITV programme last night as the long-lost brother of Ross Barton. 4 4 Ross and his aunt Moira were left shocked to discover that there was another member of the family in Lewis. Lewis' mum is Emma Barton - meaning he is the half-brother of Ross, Pete and the dead Finn. It appeared to transpire that Emma gave birth to Lewis during time apart from husband James Barton when they split and soon had him adopted. The rest of the Barton clan had no clue about Lewis' existence until he sent a letter to the family at Butler's Farm. Ross and Lewis later agreed to meet but soon, Ross decided that he wasn't interested in building a connection and left Lewis hanging. However, fans think there is another twist in the tale still to come. In a mind-blowing DNA twist, some Emmerdale viewers have speculated that Cain Dingle could be the father of Lewis. As fans passed their theories on who it could be, one suggested: "Cain I bet." Someone else echoed this, as they wrote: "He could pass as Cain's son." Suspicion continued as another wrote: "I suspect there might be a twist so maybe." Actor Bradley - who also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother last year - recently revealed how he got the role on Emmerdale. He bumped into a producer from the soap at the National Television Awards and got chatting. And while originally he auditioned for the role of Dylan, April Windsor's homeless pal, instead he was offered the role of Lewis. 4
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Emmerdale's Bradley Riches breaks down in tears as he opens up about his late granddad and his link to the ITV soap
Emmerdale 's Bradley Riches broke down in tears as he opened up about his late granddad and his link to the ITV soap on Friday's installment of Lorraine. The 23-year-old, who has recently taken on the role of Lewis Barton on the show, spoke to step-in host Christine Lampard, 46, about his time in The Dales. While many know Bradley for his stint on Heartstopper, he also took part in Celebrity Big Brother last year and became a huge hit. Shortly after leaving the iconic house, Bradley revealed that his grandfather died while he was on the show as he shared a heartbreaking tribute post in March 2024. While on Lorraine, Christine pointed out that Emmerdale was his grandad's favourite soap and he got very emotional when they started talking about him. Fighting back the tears, Bradley said: 'he passed away while I was going on Big Brother. 'A whole year. I didn't get a full goodbye, maybe this is him saying I'm doing great.' Bradley wrote on Instagram at the time of his grandad's death: 'I just heard the sad news of my Grandad passing while in the BB house. 'He was strong, kind and funny. I love you so much x.' Back in March it was revealed that Bradley had joined Emmerdale in a 'beyond exciting' soap shake-up. At the time of the announcement, Bradley has said of his new role: 'I'm beyond excited to be joining Emmerdale! 'It's a real bucket list moment for me, especially since it was my grandad's favourite soap, I just know he'd be over the moon. 'Everyone has been so lovely and welcoming, and the village is even more amazing in real life. 'I absolutely love my character (though I can't spill too much just yet!), and I'm just so grateful for this opportunity. 'I can't wait for everyone to see what's in store.' He later confirmed the news on Instagram with a playful post alongside Mike Parr – who played Ross. Emmerdale took to social media with a promotion shot and penned: 'Admired actor, Bradley Riches, has joined the cast of Emmerdale as a new regular character! 'Known for his role in Heartstopper and for appearing in the last series of Celebrity Big Brother, Bradley who started filming in the Dales this week, will arrive onscreen in May.' Bradley showed his face for the first time on Emmerdale on Thursday night. Celebrating the huge milestone, he wrote on Instagram: 'FIRST EP AIRED! Directed by the incredible @ashgadhvi. 'What did we all think of Lewis? What's next for him? Will him and Ross see eye to eye? 'Wow what an exciting journey! Thank you to Laura, Faye and the team for allowing me to play Lewis. Also thank you to the wonderful cast and crew who have been so welcoming. Special mention to my onscreen half brother @mikeparr226 who is just the best! Dream come true x.' Since shooting to fame in 2016, Bradley has landed himself some roles in some incredible stage shows, programmes and films. He played a soldier in 1917 back in 2019, which was followed by his most well-known role of James McEwvan in Heartstopper. The actor also played Freddie in Wreck last year. He's also starred in a number of stage shows such as Diaster! Goodnight Mister Tom, A Christmas Story: The Musical and Babies.
The Sun
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
First look as CBB star Bradley Riches joins Emmerdale as Lewis Barton – leaving Ross' life in turmoil
CELEBRITY Big Brother star Bradley Riches is preparing to make his Emmerdale debut. The TV favourite, who rose to fame for playing James McEwan in Netflix hit series Heartstopper, has been snapped up by ITV bosses in a genius move to join the cast of Emmerdale. 4 His first scenes will air next week and it will cause chaos for Ross Barton. Bradley will be joining the cast as Lewis Barton - and it will have huge ramifications for Ross. Before Lewis makes his presence in the Dales known, the Barton clan will fear that something is amiss. In upcoming scenes, Moira is left feeling uneasy after discovering a letter addressed to the family of Emma Barton. Emma is the deceased mother of Ross who killed her husband James as well as causing the death of her own son, Finn. Moira wrestles with her own conscious about whether to share it with Ross. Upon opening the letter, Ross is left shocked to discover the existence of a half-brother who he knew nothing about. Moira's concerned to see Ross wants to bury his head in the sand over it. Eventually, Matty talks to Ross about the revelation and suggests that meeting up with his sibling could do no harm and could in fact change his life for the better. Ross agrees and schedules a meeting with Lewis in the woods but Moira is still left uneasy about the encounter. CBB star Bradley Riches reveals major eviction blunder Ross comes face to face with Lewis and struggles to navigate Lewis' many questions about their family without revealing the many dark secrets he needs to keep. Despite keeping cordial, it becomes difficult for both Ross and Lewis to talk whilst navigating the past. Ultimately, Ross decides to walk away and leave Lewis behind for good and equally as hurt in the process. Ross goes on to tell Moira that they mutually agreed to part ways and leave each other in the past. But will Lewis decide to find Ross again and could they form the brotherly bond Ross is missing following Finn's death and Pete's decision to quit the villa? 4 4
Daily Mirror
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Emmerdale star's shock marriage U-turn as they're told 'you can't do that
Bradley Riches, who has joined the cast of Emmerdale as Lewis Barton, opens up about his role on the ITV soap and how he is counting down the days until he marries Scott Johnston Heartstopper actor Bradley Riches is about to embark on a new chapter of his career – by joining one of the biggest soaps in Britain. Making his Emmerdale debut on Monday as Lewis Barton, Bradley will be introduced to a whole new audience and, as he exclusively tells OK!, he cannot wait. The 23-year-old is set to marry fiancé Scott Johnston next year, after a romantic proposal from Scott in Sorrento in Italy last April. Here, Bradley opens up about why they've had to change their original wedding plans - and how 'surreal' it is hanging out with the telly icons he grew up with while watching the soap with his grandad… Hi, Bradley! How are wedding plans with Scott going? We've got the venue – a lovely English manor house for next April. Fun fact – we were considering getting married in Italy, as that's where we got engaged last year and we'd found a beautiful location. But we looked into it and discovered same-sex couples can't get married in Italy, which I wasn't aware of. So those plans were quickly discarded. You'll have lots of famous faces you need to invite… Oh I know – my Heartstopper crew, my friends from Celebrity Big Brother and I'll probably end up inviting the whole Emmerdale cast. I'll have been filming for over a year by then. So, yes, we'll definitely need to expand the guest list. Why do you and Scott work so well together? We're both creative, determined – but personality-wise, so different. He's to the point, with a brilliantly dry sense of humour. He'll say something important in five minutes, whereas I could waffle on about total garbage for an hour. Congratulations on joining the cast of Emmerdale! It's such an 'Oh my God!' moment. It was my grandad Peter's favourite soap. I've always had a special connection with Emmerdale. Maybe it was his parting gift. He'd have been buzzing. I went to a performing arts college called Emil Dale and when my parents told him I'd got into Emil Dale, he was like, 'What? When will he be on TV?' It feels like it was meant to happen. Tell us about your character… I'm playing Lewis Barton – I'm a Barton boy. My mum was Emma Barton. Ross and I share the same mum. Emma was killed some years ago by Moira Dingle, who is like a second mum to Ross. I reach out to him to say I'd love to meet him and know more about my mum. But when we meet, we don't see eye to eye. I'm very to-the-point and have a thousand questions I want answered, which scares Ross. So they really don't create that brotherly bond and I leave. Obviously, I return! For Lewis, expect the unexpected – he's got a few secrets up his sleeve. Have the other cast members been welcoming? Oh, they really have, it feels like a nice family. There are so many icons on this show. To bump into them on set is just surreal. I've got a special bond with Mike [Michael Parr, who plays Ross]. My first five weeks were just us two together. We're like brothers – he's very protective of me. He says, 'You're under my wing now!' which is so sweet. When my role was announced, some people were a bit negative and he was like, 'Nah, this is not happening.' As time goes on I've met others, like Lisa Riley. We haven't filmed together yet but we're always in make-up together. She plays the best music and she's such a fun, happy person to be around. How do you feel about the negative reactions there have been to your casting? In this industry, you've always got to expect that, which is sad to say. Me being my true and authentic self, some people aren't going to like that. I knew it was going to happen – a happy, gay, autistic person being delighted about getting a new job. Of course, someone will find the negative within that. But it was drowned out by loads of positivity. I'm having a bloody amazing time. Nobody's going to dampen this experience for me. Were you nervous walking on to such a famous set? I was so nervous. My first day was filming in the Dingles' house. To be on that iconic set that I've seen for years, it really hit home. It was also strange filming things out of synch at first – I wish I'd filmed Lewis and Ross's first meeting [on the first day]. Lewis and Bradley's nerves could have blended into one. We were in a car to take us to the location for our first scene and as soon as the driver set off, I spilt my coffee down my costume. I thought the costume people were going to be mad and they were so lovely. That dispelled the nerves. You won't be able to buy milk soon without someone asking for a selfie… Ha, I think it's great that I'll be introduced to a whole new demographic following Heartstopper, who have probably not seen me on-screen before. That is weird. After Celebrity Big Brother, I remember a builder stopped and said, 'Ah you're Bradley – I really wanted you to win.' Reaching new audiences is nerve-wracking but exciting too. How different was this year's series to your time on Celebrity Big Brother last year? Very different. Maybe we were having too much fun – there wasn't that same level of drama. Our series, there were obvious, great friendships – this season I couldn't work out who were good friends or not. Chris [Hughes] and JoJo [Siwa] had that bond, but none of the others were so obvious. It was very entertaining though. How did you feel about Mickey Rourke? Seeing his conversation with JoJo, the homophobia, I was thinking, how has this man not been thrown out? Horrid. But I do think, if he hadn't left, he'd have embarked on quite a learning curve. He was even asking what pronouns he needed to use for Danny Beard. It could have opened his eyes. But he let himself down. Do you have any burning ambitions? I'm learning so much on Emmerdale and it's so fast-paced, I'm happy to be doing this. I'd love to do Strictly one day, though!
