Emmerdale star Bradley Riches share big Netflix news: ‘Dream come true’

Emmerdale fan favourite and much-loved social media sensation, Bradley Riches, has had a hell of a year.

His on-screen alter ego, Lewis Barton has become one of the brightest and most beloved characters on the show as he’s found himself the centre of his own love story with Vinny Dingle (Bradley Johnson).

Off-screen, Bradley finally became a married man, when he exchanged vows with Scott Johnston after a two year engagement in a beautiful, star-studded ceremony.

Now, he’s spoken out about returning to the role which saw him explode into stardom: James McEwan on the Netflix romantic drama, Heartstopper, the graphic novel-turned-TV phenomenon, focussed on a group of teens as they get to grips with their sexualities, identities and navigating the world in the face of impending adulthood, running for three seasons.

All good things must come to an end, however, with Netflix confiming that a feature-length film will wrap up the story. The film, entitled Heartstopper Forever, will premiere on July 17th this year, and will see Bradley step into James’ shoes for a final time.

Taking to his Instagram to reveal the films release date, Bradley shared a picture of the shows cast, with the caption: ‘Heartstopper Forever – Out July 17th

‘This show means so much to me, from the first season 4 years ago to the last one coming soon, it’s been a dream come true.’

Alice Oseman, who created the original graphic novel and has written every episode of the TV show said of the upcoming film: ‘The movie will be an exploration of time, memory, love, pain, the changing of the seasons, endings and beginnings, and the core element of Heartstopper: the ordinary magic of our everyday lives.’

Bradley’s wedding

Bradley recently married his partner, Scott, with whom he got engaged to in early 2024, shortly after Bradley competed in Celebrity Big Brother, on which he placed 6th.

In a heart breaking turn of events, Bradley’s great nan passed away just weeks before his big day.

Uploading an adorable picture of his younger self with his nanny, he captioned the post: ‘Never did I think I would be saying goodbye to my Gt. Nanny just days before my wedding.

‘Before my she passed, she told me she’d be with me on my big day… and I know she will be. She loved Scott so much – never questioned us, just loved us fully. I will miss you every day.’

Bradley had previously spoken out about his A-list wedding guest roster.

‘So obviously we’ve got my new friends from Emmerdale, a couple of them are coming, Heartstopper, some of them. The Big Brother lot, I think all of the Big Brother lot are actually coming’ he told The Mail.

‘Like David [Potts], Colson [Smith], Nikita [Kuzmin], Sharon [Osbourne], Levi [Roots], Zeze [Millz], Marisha [Wallace], Ekin-Su [Cülcüloğlu], and other people I’ve met along the way, like Arlene Phillips, Tasha [Ghouri] from Love Island.

‘Just lots of people I’ve met through the industry and ones I’ve shared big moments in my career with. It’s going to be really nice.