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Emmerdale announced this week that Heartstopper actor and Celebrity Big Brother star Bradley Riches would be joining the ITV soap for a regular role – but refused to say who he was and how he’d be connected to the village
Bradley Riches is joining the cast of Emmerdale – but not much has been revealed about his new role. The Heartstopper and Celebrity Big Brother star was announced to be joining the show as a regular just yesterday.
However, within the announcement, bosses of the ITV soap refused to confirm what character he would be playing and who he could be connected to. Even Bradley didn’t let slip any details about his character’s connection, sharing: «I’m beyond excited to be joining Emmerdale! It’s a real bucket list moment for me, especially since it was my grandad’s favourite soap, I just know he’d be over the moon. Everyone has been so lovely and welcoming, and the village is even more amazing in real life.
Teasing what’s to come, he added: «I absolutely love my character (though I can’t spill too much just yet!), and I’m just so grateful for this opportunity. I can’t wait for everyone to see what’s in store.»
Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw also refused to give anything away or drop any hints about his connection to the village, sharing: «We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Bradley to the Emmerdale family. Bradley brings a wealth of talent and his warmth, wit and charisma makes him perfect for this new Emmerdale role. We have some wonderful stories for him to play and we can’t wait for the audience to see Bradley bring his new character bursting into life on screen.»
Here, The Mirror takes a look at who might end up being connected to Bradley’s mysterious new character.
John Sugden connection
One of the biggest theories is that Bradley could end up playing the mysterious Aidan Moore. We don’t know anything about Aidan, only that John had said his friend was killed when a bomb went off whilst they enjoyed a football kickabout in the army.
Aidan Moore was the name on a dog tag that Victoria found in his van, with John recalling of the loss of his friend: «I tried my best to save him. I told him I could but I was lying, I had to. I could see the fear in his eyes. I held his hand as he slowly slipped away. Aidan thought I could save him and I let him down. I can never forgive myself for that.»
However, since then, theories have swirled that John is a serial killer and had murdered his friend Aidan, whilst others have speculated Aidan was a former lover of John’s. Whatever happens, this could be a huge twist in John’s story!
A new love interest
Some fans are convinced Bradley’s new character could be a new love interest for young Arthur. The son of Laurel Thomas, Arthur has been a bit unlucky in love after Marshall moved away – but could this be a new romance?
«I bet it’s a new romance for Arthur! He was lovely on heartstopper! Exciting to see him on the dates!» one fan pondered, whilst another added: «Definitely going to end up with Arthur!»
Surprise recast
One viewer pointed out that Bradley could be a recast of a very popular character after Lewis Cope’s exit.
«It was very unlikely but I was hoping for him to be a Nicky recast- I’d rather have Lewis C back, but I’d choose a recast over not having him at all. He said his character is called Lewis , before being shut down, so he won’t be TJ Woods,» one shared.
Lewis Cope played Nicky on the show for over a year in the midst of some big drama for Caleb and his family. With his wife Ruby and daughter Steph now also in the village, could Nicky make a comeback?
Family connection
Bradley has let slip one piece of information about his character – he has some connection with one of the villagers. Sharing their own theory, one fan wrote on Reddit: «In the video posted he hints that his character is called Lewis and is related to someone already on the show. Another long lost child? Anyway he seems really fun and I’m looking forward to seeing him on screen.»
Lisa Riley – who plays Mandy Dingle – also fuelled speculation further when she commented about him «fitting in», with some viewers convinced that must mean he’s a Dingle too. She wrote: «He’s an absolute dream…..welcome to our farm, you fit in perfectly.»
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