Coronation Street Casts Actor With Downs Syndrome After Disability Talent Workshop
This is proof that sometimes, ‘disability talent search’ events actually work.
I don’t watch Coronation Street, but I look forward to following the progress of this actor and his character on Same Difference.
Coronation Street has cast an actor with Down’s syndrome to play the nephew of Cathy Matthews (Melanie Hill).
Producers found Liam Bairstow at a recent workshop they held for actors with disabilities, and the youngster has already started filming on the ITV soap.
Producer Stuart Blackburn said: “We ran a workshop called Breaking Through a while ago, which was for actors with disabilities. It was recognising that they get so few auditions, and actually we found a young guy there called Liam Bairstow, an actor with Down’s syndrome.
“He’s going to be coming in as Cathy’s nephew. It’s not some politically correct thing. We actually found there a really great actor with a wonderful sense of timing. The cast have been really enjoying working with him.”
Blackburn has also confirmed that Cathy’s relationship with Roy will be one of the major storylines in the soap’s upcoming live episode.
It has also been confirmed that Sally Ann Matthews is returning to the role of Jenny Bradley, following her brief comeback earlier in the year.
Same Difference 