Coronation Street casts its first actor with Down's Syndrome

The long running soap announced Liam Bairstow will play Cathy Matthews' nephew Alex.

Published 12th Aug 2015

Coronation Street has cast its first ever actor with Down's Syndrome, Liam Bairstow, who will play Cathy Matthews' nephew Alex.

Coronation Street announced the news on their official Twitter account, writing: "Cathy’s nephew Alex to be played by Liam Bairstow who was cast during ITV's"

Liam was a member of 'Mind the Gap' theatre group and the 25-year-old actor was discovered after the soap held a workshop for actors with disabilities.

Producer Stuart Blackburn said the actor was a fantastic find, stating: “This isn’t some politically correct thing. We’ve actually discovered a really great actor with a lovely sense of timing and the cast have been loving working with him.”