A SOAP star has returned to his former school to give an inspirational talk to its pupils. 

Liam Bairstow, 30, who plays Alex Warner in Coronation Street, visited to St Matthew’s Catholic Primary School, which he attended between 1991 and 1997, to talk to pupils about his career path.

The actor, who has Down’s Syndrome, also held a question and answer session with pupils at the school in Saffron Drive, Allerton, Bradford, during which one asked him if he had a big house. 

Mr Bairstow path to fame started when he 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. 

He impressed the show’s producers so much that he was offered a part and joined the cast as a nephew of Roy Cropper’s friend Cathy Matthews, played by actress Melanie Hill, in 2015. 

Mr Bairstow, of Allerton, revealed that he has signed a 12-month contract extension with the ITV soap earlier this month. 

He said: “It’s nice to give something back and I wanted to come back to my old school. I was mostly talking about how my story came about to the children. 

“I said to them whatever you hope and wish for they should always believe it’s possible. 

“I also said to them that they will always come across negative people with negative comments, but they should always try their best.”

Mr Bairstow added the cast at the popular show have made him feel welcome but he has not forgotten his roots. 

He said: “The school has changed a lot since I was here. 

“All of the cast at Coronation Street have said I have done well. I have done two years on it and the cast are really nice.”

Head teacher Katy Cox paid tribute to her school’s famous former pupil, calling him inspirational.

She said: “Liam is a success of our school’s inclusivity. 

“We have a few pupils at the school with special needs, including three children with Down’s Syndrome. 

“It was wonderful that Liam spoke to our children about his life. He is a real inspiration.”

Teacher Jeannie Louch, who was Mr Bairstow’s support assistant when he was at the school, said: “It’s wonderful to have him back in the school. He is amazing. 

“I get really excited when I watch Coronation Street and Liam comes on the TV. He told us they call him the one take wonder at Coronation Street.”