Emmerdale Star Bradley Riches ‘Tried to End His Own Life’ in Heartbreaking Confession
Emmerdale star Bradley Riches has left fans deeply emotional after opening up about one of the darkest periods of his life.
The 24-year-old actor, best known to soap viewers as Lewis Barton, revealed that he tried to end his life in 2020, long before he found fame on television. His deeply personal confession came as September marked Suicide Prevention Month, with Bradley explaining that he wanted to share his experience in the hope that it might help someone else who is struggling.
Bradley admitted that he had been nervous about speaking publicly about what happened. He explained that, at the time, he could not imagine a future beyond the moment he was experiencing and was unsure of who he was or whether his circumstances could ever change.
Those words have made the revelation particularly heartbreaking for fans who now know Bradley as a successful actor with a growing career, a bestselling book and a loving personal life.
But Bradley’s message was ultimately one of hope.
Rather than focusing only on the pain of his past, the Emmerdale star shared a list of experiences he would never have had if he had not survived that difficult period. Among them were graduating, spending more Christmases with his family, joining the cast of Emmerdale — something he described as a dream — entering the Celebrity Big Brother house, writing his book and getting married to his husband, Scott.
For Bradley, those moments became proof that life could change even when it seemed impossible to imagine.
His message to anyone currently experiencing similar thoughts was simple but powerful: stay for the things you have not experienced yet, and tell somebody rather than carrying the pain alone.
The actor also admitted that he was extremely anxious about posting his confession and even worried that he would delete it almost immediately. Instead, fans quickly filled the comments with messages of love, describing Bradley as an inspiration and thanking him for speaking openly about a subject that remains difficult for many people to discuss.
Bradley’s story is especially significant for Emmerdale viewers because Lewis Barton has become an important part of the soap since his arrival. His character is currently involved in a relationship with Vinny Dingle, while Bradley himself has become known for discussing autism and representation alongside his acting work.
This revelation was not a storyline from the soap, but a deeply personal chapter from Bradley’s real life.
And perhaps that is what makes his words so powerful.
Six years ago, Bradley could not see the future. Today, he is an established actor, author, husband and advocate — living through experiences he once could not imagine reaching.
His heartbreaking confession has reminded fans that a person’s darkest moment does not have to be the end of their story.
And as Bradley himself urged: your story is not finished.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out to someone you trust or a professional support service. In the UK, Samaritans can be contacted free, 24/7, on 116 123.
