Cathy Matthews´s nephew (original thread does not open)

[Perdita]

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.

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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.


Read more: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s3/coronation-street/news/a662921/coronation-street-casts-actor-with-downs-syndrome-after-disability-workshop.html#ixzz3iaLK7600

[Perdita]

Liam Bairstow has opened up about being Coronation Street's first actor with Down's syndrome.

Bairstow joined the cobbles as Alex Warner, the cheeky nephew of Cathy Matthews, last September after impressing the show's bosses at a workshop that they held for actors with disabilities.

To mark Down's Syndrome Awareness Week, BBC Radio 5 Live sent Corrie fan Grace Stockdale, who also has Down's syndrome, to interview the rising star.

It's been a huge honour to work with everyone on here," Bairstow said. "I feel a great honour to speak up [for other young people with Down's syndrome] and it's been amazing."

His advice to other aspiring actors with the condition is to not be nervous as "it takes guts to be on TV", and he knows exactly what role he wants once he leaves the soap.

"I'd be James Bond because I am the man of action," Bairstow said.

The full interview will be played tonight (March 21) on the Phil Williams show on 5 Live from 10.30pm to 1am.

Digital Spy

[Perdita]

Coronation Street spoiler – New romance?
Could Coronation Street be about to see the start of a new romance next week?
It looks that way as Alex Warner and Gemma Winter appear to hit it off in one of the most unlikely pairings the Street has seen in ages.
The couple strike up a close bond after Gemma admits to him that she’s secretly sleeping in the kebab shop as she daren’t return to the estate because she fears for her life after standing up to Kylie Platt’s killer in court last week.
Alex soon proves to be her knight in shining armour, but Roy Cropper and Cathy Matthews are left wondering exactly what’s going on when they return home to find Gemma coming out of the shower and Alex looking sheepish.
As a love struck Alex covers for what’s really been going on, he later shocks Cathy and Roy when he tells them he wants to take her as his guest to their wedding.
Speaking of weddings, Cathy is left a little downcast when she suggests a church wedding but Roy’s not keen and she begrudgingly settles on a civil service instead.
Later, after a change of heart, Roy tells Cathy he’d be more than happy to have a church wedding but is it too little too late?

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