Emmerdale newcomer Bradley Riches, who plays Lewis Barton, appeared on Friday’s episode of Lorraine

Emmerdale’s newcomer Bradley Riches became tearful during Friday’s Lorraine when fill-in presenter Christine Lampard addressed a touching detail.

The 23-year-old Heartstopper actor, who has just entered the ITV soap as Ross Barton’s long-lost half-brother Lewis Barton, received a heartwarming acknowledgement from guest host Christine, 46.

She highlighted: “This [joining Emmerdale] is particularly special because it was your late grandad Peter’s favourite soap.”

As an image of his grandad Peter momentarily graced the screen, Christine remarked: “This was the one, he used to talk about it all the time and here you are starring in something that was so special to him.”

Visibly moved, Bradley struggled to maintain composure, confessing: “I don’t want to get emotional!” which prompted Christine’s warm response: “No, no, I understand. It’s such a lovely lovely thing, it means so much to all of you then.”

In reply, Bradley shared: “I feel like it was one of those things he passed away obviously when I was in Big Brother and it was like a whole year of, I feel like I didn’t get a full goodbye, so when this came up I was like: ‘Maybe this is him saying you’re doing great.'”, reports Leicestershire Live.

Christine responded with words of encouragement: “This is it and I’ve got your back. I’m supporting every single thing that you’re doing.”

Moving on, Christine also noted: “You took your mum and dad on set too. How did that go?”

Bradley confessed: “It was one of those things that was like I thought I would really enjoy it while I was filming but I was doing the rehearsal and I just looked around the corner.

“My mum and dad were like this, I was like get away, they obviously saw the set and it was great for them as well to be there.”

This week’s drama in Emmerdale saw Moira Dingle stumble upon a letter addressed to ‘The Family of Emma Barton. ‘ She later handed it to Ross, who discovered he had an unknown brother named Lewis.

When Ross met Lewis, he found himself tiptoeing around their family history, careful not to spill the dark secrets surrounding their mother Emma.

The meet-up turned tense as both brothers struggled to discuss their past without causing distress. Ultimately, Ross chose to leave, upsetting Lewis in the process.

Ross later told Moira they mutually agreed to forego any attempt at rekindling family ties… but could there be more to Lewis’ story?

Emmerdale continues every weeknight at 7:30pm on ITV and ITV X with hour-long specials on Thursday.