Coronation Street Blog: Liam Bairstow becomes new Mencap ambassador

Liam Bairstow, who plays Alex in Coronation Street, has become a new ambassador for Mencap.

The 30-year-old, who has Down’s Syndrome, was the first learning disabled actor to land a role in a British soap. He has played Alex Warner in Coronation Street since 2015.

Liam is a member of theatre company Mind the Gap - one of Europe’s largest theatre companies for learning disabled people.

He said: “I'm very excited to be an ambassador for Mencap - I love all the work they do. They do so much for people with a learning disability and I'm very proud to be a part of it. I hope that by being an ambassador for Mencap I can help raise awareness of learning disability and show that people with a learning disability are just ordinary people.

“Down’s Syndrome is not a negative world. It’s a beautiful world. I am proud and happy of who and what I am. Having Down's Syndrome has not held me back, and I believe everyone should be treated the same and be able to achieve their dreams.”

Watch Liam in this short video, below, where he explains all about Down's Syndrome.