Bradley Riches talks about his autism on Thursday evening in the upcoming episode of Celebrity Big Brother.
The Heartstopper actor, 22, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of nine, speaks to some housemates about the condition.
He reveals that he has written a book about a boy growing up and diagnosed with autism, which is based on his own personal experiences.
Musical theater star Marisha Wallace asks Bradley how he’s doing and asks about his Big Brother experience: “Isn’t this a lot?”
Bradley responds, “Oh my god, yes.”
Heartstopper’s Bradley Riches opens up about his autism on Thursday night’s episode of Celebrity Big Brother
The 22-year-old actor, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of nine, speaks to some housemates about the condition
Before adding, “It’s a lot, but I have my coping mechanisms, that’s the main reason I wanted to come here, to push myself.”
Speaking about growing up with autism, he says: ‘They’re little things, but sometimes they add up to a lot of pressure.’
Marisha praises Bradley and says, “I think you did such a good job!”
Before adding, “You’re doing everything right and you’re being you and it’s beautiful.”
Bradley is best known for his role as James McEwan in the hit international Netflix show Heartstopper.
Bradley’s role was quite small in the beginning of the great series, but by the second season his storyline grew significantly.
During this time, his character developed a crush on bookworm Isaac Henderson (Tobie Donovan), who struggled to reconcile their relationship with coming to terms with his asexual identity.
Bradley, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of nine, has been entertaining audiences in on-stage productions since 2016.
He reveals that he has written a book about a boy growing up and diagnosed with autism, which is based on his own personal experiences.
Musical theater star Marisha Wallace asks Bradley how he’s doing and asks about his Big Brother experience: “Isn’t this a lot?” Bradley replies: ‘Oh my god, yes’
He added: “It’s a lot, but I have my coping mechanisms, that’s the main reason I wanted to come here, to push myself.”
In shows like Goodnight Mister Tom, A Christmas Story: The Musical and Footloose, the actor said he uses his craft as a form of “escapism.”
He told Subway: ‘Acting is an escapism for me. I feel free and understood when I play characters, while as Bradley I usually felt misunderstood.
‘I’m so happy that I can show autistic people that they are not alone and that they are not invisible – they are beautiful and magical.’
The openly gay and autistic actor wants to ‘raise the flag’ for his respective communities on the mainstream reality TV show, a source said The sun.
They added: ‘He was diagnosed with autism when he was nine and is passionate about being an advocate for his community.
‘He wants to show the world that neurodiversity is not something that holds you back, but a superpower.’
In 2023, the Netflix star also officially became a published author and released his own novel titled A Different Kind Of Superpower.
The book, co-written with James A Lyons, tells the actor’s heartwarming personal story about being ‘gifted’ with his autism diagnosis at the age of nine.
Bradley and James wanted to reframe neurodivergence as a superpower through the lens of the children’s book.
“Everyone is different, so I really wanted to expand my story so that as many people as possible could be part of the character’s journey,” Bradley shared. Fashion in 2023.
“Actually, I originally wrote it as a play, and I hope one day we can actually perform it.”
The actor, who has amassed a whopping 323,000 followers on Instagram, sometimes gives fans a behind-the-scenes glimpse into his personal life.
In February he went all the way to Downing Street to make young people aware of loneliness.
Bradley is best known for his role as James McEwan in the hit international Netflix show Heartstopper
The actor has also appeared in numerous plays such as Footloose and Goodnight Mister Tom
An insider said ahead of the show’s start: “He is keen to show the world that neurodiversity is not something that holds you back, but a superpower.”
Posting a photo of himself on the steps of Number 10, he wrote: ‘I was kindly invited to 10 Downing Street to discuss loneliness among young people.
‘I spoke about my own experiences as a queer autistic person and the loneliness I have felt. I also met some amazing people x.”
Certain famous faces from Big Brother 2023 popped up in his comments section, with Henry Southan joking: ‘You’ve got my vote x’
Ex-Big Brother housemate Kerry Riches also chimed in: “I didn’t think I could love you more than I already have, darling xx.”
CELEBRITY BIG BROTHER 2024: MEET THE LINE-UP
SHARON OSBOURNE
AGE: 71
KNOWN FROM: Being a member of the Osbourne family, married to rock legend Ozzy and a judge on The X Factor.
GARY GOLDSMITH
AGE: 58
KNOWN FROM: Being Kate Middleton’s ‘black sheep’ uncle.
EKIN-SU CULCULOGLU
AGE: 29
FAMOUS FOR: Winning Love Island in 2022
COLSON SMITH
AGE: 25
KNOWN FROM: Playing Craig Tinker in Coronation Street
SAILING BRITTON
AGE: 66
KNOWN FROM: Nineties TV sensation and appearance as Phillip Schofield’s This Morning sidekick.
BRADLEY RICH
AGE: 22
KNOWN FROM: Starring in Netflix’s Heartstopper
MARISHA WALLACE
AGE: 38
KNOWN FROM: Broadway actress and singer, with roles in Dreamgirls and Aladdin
LOUIS WALSH
AGE: 71
KNOWN FROM: His stint as an X Factor judge followed a prestigious career as a music manager with bands such as Westlife and Boyzone.
DAVID POTTEN
AGE: 30
KNOWN FROM: Ibiza Weekender
ZEZE MILLZ
AGE: 35
KNOWN FROM: Social media star
LAUREN SIMON
AGE: 47
KNOWN FROM: The Real Housewives of Cheshire
LEVI ROOTS
AGE: 65
KNOWN FROM: One of Dragons’ Den’s biggest success stories.
NIKITA KUZMIN
AGE: 26
KNOWN FROM: Being a professional on Strictly Come Dancing
