A BRADFORD actor who attended a drama workshop held by Coronation Street producers ended up landing a role in the soap.

Liam Bairstow was one of two actors from Bradford theatre company Mind The Gap selected for a 'breakthrough talent day' in Salford, close to where Coronation Street is filmed.

The 28-year-old from Allerton, who has Down's Syndrome, impressed the casting team so much he was offered the role of Alex, a nephew of Roy Cropper's friend Cathy Matthews, played by actress Melanie Hill.

“It has been an amazing opportunity," said Liam. "I’ve wanted to be a TV actor for years and I’m loving every minute of it. It’s been brilliant to work with the Corrie team.”

Mind the Gap’s Senior Producer Lisa Mallaghan says: “We spotted an opportunity for our actors to apply to an ITV workshop called Breaking Through, aimed at experienced actors with disabilities. We submitted 10 of our resident artists to take part and Liam and fellow actor Anna Gray were selected. Producers were so impressed with Liam, they offered him a role on Corrie.

This is a fantastic shift in the way producers cast disabled actors and we’re delighted to see ITV leading the way.”

Lisa accompanied Liam and Anna to a workshop. "They got lots of advice and met some of the cast, and they learned scripts which they acted to camera. There was no promise of an audition, but it was a great experience for them," she said.

"Two months went by and we got a call from the Coronation Street team asking to see them again. They went along to the set where it's filmed, and Liam was offered the part.

"It's really exciting. He met the writers and the casting directors and they asked him to tell them about his life, and the things he liked to do. When we saw the scripts we realised that Alex, the character he plays, is basically Liam!"

Liam has filmed two episodes so far, to be screened next month. Coronation Street viewers will know that Cathy met Roy, played by David Neilson, through neighbouring allotments and the pair have become friends.

Coronation Street’s Producer Stuart Blackburn said: "It's not some politically correct thing. We actually found there a really great actor with a wonderful sense of timing. The cast have been really enjoying working with him."

Liam joined Mind the Gap’s Making Theatre course in 2009 and has appeared in many professional productions, including a national tour of Treasure Island and international work in Ireland and France.

He is currently rehearsing for Mind the Gap’s new touring production Contained, which will premiere at the theatre company's studios at Lister Mills, Manningham, on October 16 and 17.

Liam is not the only Mind the Gap actor appearing on TV. Fellow resident artist JoAnne Haines recently finished filming for BBC daytime soap Doctors and her episode will be aired in November.