Heartstopper and Emmerdale star Bradley Riches coming to Leeds Waterstones for special event with Lisa Riley
The actor, who found his voice at theatre school after speaking few words until the age of ten, is bringing his mission to celebrate neurodivergence to the city centre
Fans of Bradley Riches are in for a treat this June as the actor and autism advocate brings his brand-new book tour to Leeds.
Bradley, best known for his roles in the Netflix hit Heartstopper and ITV's Emmerdale, will be appearing at Waterstones in Leeds city centre on June 12 at 7pm, taking part in a special live conversation about his empowering new book, Autistically Me!
His new book is described as a unique guide to understanding and celebrating a ‘neurospicy’ life, combining tips, exercises, everyday strategies, and cutting-edge research from the charity Autistica, the book provides a toolkit for readers.
The actor is also set to be joined by a very familiar face to local soap fans - former Emmerdale actress and TV presenter Lisa Riley, who will be chairing the chat.
The evening promises to be an honest, warm, and inspiring discussion about neurodiversity, drawing on Bradley's own life experiences.
Having spoken only a few words until the age of ten, when he finally found his voice at theatre school, Bradley has since blossomed into not just a recognisable on-screen talent, but a passionate spokesperson for autism advocacy and awareness. He is now on a mission to empower others to embrace their neurodivergence and thrive.
During the event, Bradley and Lisa will delve into many of the important topics covered in the book. They will discuss the vital first steps of navigating a diagnosis and understanding how autism presents across different genders, alongside exploring common co-existing conditions.
The conversation will also offer practical, everyday advice for neurodivergent individuals. Attendees can expect to hear valuable insights on managing sensory overload through grounding techniques, reframing negative self-talk with self-acceptance exercises, and developing strategies for executive functioning.
Beyond personal well-being, the pair will explore how to navigate the wider world. This includes tips for understanding social cues, building healthy relationships, and developing crucial self-advocacy skills to set boundaries.
Finally, Bradley will share empowering advice on how to genuinely flourish in both education and the workplace, and how tapping into creative passions can ultimately help you find your community.
Those wishing to attend the event are out of luck, sadly; according to Eventbrite, the event has officially sold out - though that won’t stop you picking up a copy of the book, either by visiting the retailer or ordering a copy online.