Bradley Riches: Autism Advocacy, Career & Latest News

You might know Bradley Riches from his standout roles in Heartstopper or Emmerdale, but this 22-year-old actor is using his growing fame to do something bigger. Diagnosed with autism at nine, he has become one of Britain’s most vocal advocates for neurodiversity, both on screen and off.

Age: 22 (born 11 December 2001) ·
Condition: Autistic ·
Known For: Emmerdale, Heartstopper, Sunday Times Bestseller ‘Autistically Me’ ·
Partner: Scott Johnston (married 2024) ·
Social Media: 1.1M followers across TikTok and Instagram

Eight key facts that paint the full picture of Bradley Riches’s background and public profile.

What condition does Bradley Riches have?

What is autism?

Bradley Riches was diagnosed with autism at age nine, according to Autistica (UK autism research charity). He has described feeling “like an alien” before understanding his neurotype – a sentiment familiar to many autistic individuals. Attitude magazine reported that he was non-verbal until age 12, using limited spoken communication during childhood. Joining a local performing arts group helped him build confidence and eventually accept his identity.

How does Bradley Riches advocate for autism?

In May 2024 Autistica appointed him an official ambassador. Autistica highlighted his goal of helping double employment rates for neurodiverse people by 2030. In an interview with PinkNews, Riches said: “I never saw an openly autistic actor when I was younger,” and stressed that representation is “more truthful” when autistic roles are played by actors with lived experience. His Instagram bio calls himself an “Award Winning Autistic Actor | Author | Advocate.”

The implication: Riches isn’t just talking about change – he’s using every platform he has to model it, from prime-time soaps to a bestselling memoir.

Is Bradley Riches in a relationship?

Who is Bradley Riches’s partner?

Riches married Scott Johnston in 2024. Attitude covered the wedding, noting that the couple had been together before the marriage. Johnston is not a public figure, but Riches occasionally shares glimpses of their life together on social media.

When did they get married?

The exact date was not widely reported, but multiple sources confirm the marriage took place in 2024. The wedding was a small, private ceremony.

What is Bradley Riches famous for?

Emmerdale role (James McEwan / Lewis Barton)

Riches first appeared on Emmerdale in 2019–2020 playing James McEwan. Some sources also refer to the character as Lewis Barton; the discrepancy remains unresolved. Attitude reported that the character was written as the soap’s first neurodivergent resident, and that Riches worked closely with writers to ensure authentic dialogue. “They were really open to hearing how I would say things,” he told the magazine.

Heartstopper role (James)

In 2022 Riches joined the cast of Netflix’s Heartstopper as James, a minor character in season 1. The show, adapted from Alice Oseman’s graphic novels, became a cultural phenomenon for its tender portrayal of queer teen romance. Autistica lists the role as one of his most recognized credits.

Book ‘Autistically Me’

Riches published his memoir, Autistically Me, in 2024. It immediately became a Sunday Times bestseller, according to Wikipedia. The book chronicles his childhood, diagnosis, acting career, and his vision for a more inclusive entertainment industry.

Advocacy work

Beyond acting, Riches regularly speaks at events, participates in campaigns, and uses his combined TikTok + Instagram audience of 1.1 million to normalize conversations about autism. He was nominated for the National Diversity Awards in 2023, as noted in the Wikipedia summary of his honors.

The pattern: Riches’s fame isn’t just about his roles – it’s about what he represents. He is one of the few openly autistic actors in British television who actively shapes the narrative around his own identity.

What is Bradley Riches doing now?

Book release

Autistically Me launched in 2024 and has been widely featured in media. The memoir is part of his broader strategy to “leave a door open” for the next generation of neurodivergent talent, as he told PinkNews.

Marriage

Riches married Scott Johnston in 2024, solidifying a personal milestone that he occasionally references in interviews.

Recent media appearances

In early 2024 he appeared on Celebrity Big Brother (Autistica confirmed his participation) and later reunited with Sharon Osbourne on her podcast, where he declared his affection for the television personality. The moment went viral, adding another layer to his public presence.

What this means: Riches is strategically mixing high-reality TV exposure with serious advocacy work – a dual track that keeps him visible while advancing a cause that affects millions.

Who is Bradley Riches to Sharon Osbourne?

Sharon Osbourne reunion

Riches appeared on Sharon Osbourne’s podcast or talk platform in 2024. During the conversation, he expressed his admiration for Osbourne, leading to a warm exchange that fans dubbed a “reunion” – though the two had no prior professional relationship. BBC News (YouTube) covered the clip, and it quickly circulated on social media.

How they met

The exact backstory is unclear, but the encounter appears to have been arranged through Celebrity Big Brother connections. The moment itself was spontaneous and became a talking point for its sheer unexpectedness.

The catch: While the Osbourne moment feels like tabloid fluff, it demonstrates how Riches can turn even a lighthearted celebrity interaction into a platform – millions who might not watch Heartstopper saw him being openly autistic and unapologetically affectionate.

“I never saw an openly autistic actor when I was younger. Representation is more truthful when autistic roles are played by actors with lived experience.”

Bradley Riches, in an interview with PinkNews

“Award Winning Autistic Actor | Author | Advocate Sunday Times Bestseller ✍ Autistically Me.”

Bradley Riches’s Instagram bio, as cited in the content plan

“They were really open to hearing how I would say things for the Emmerdale role.”

Bradley Riches, speaking to Attitude magazine

“I want to see more neurodivergent actors on television. There should be space for different stories.”

Bradley Riches, reported by PinkNews

For British television, the choice is no longer whether to include neurodivergent talent – it’s whether to let autistic actors like Bradley Riches lead the conversation. The audience is ready; the industry needs to catch up, or risk telling stories that feel hollow beside the real thing.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading: Hamza Yassin – another UK TV figure open about neurodivergence · Katie Leung – young British actor career trajectory.