Stoke Newington actor with learning disability wins TV role on Doctors
Two actors with learning disabilities impressed BBC casting directors so much they will be appearing on a popular daytime TV show next week.
Dayo Koleosho, 27, and 43-year-old Yvonne Swift, travelled to Birmingham to film an episode of Doctors.
It’s not the first time that Mr Koleosho, of Farleigh Road, Stoke Newington, has graced the small screen; last year he played a role in another BBC medical drama, Holby City.
Both actors attend the Access All Areas theatre group in Hoxton Street, which is a charity that runs a theatre project for adults with learning disabilities.
Mr Koleosho and Ms Swift, who lives in Islington, will be playing a couple called Michael and Becky – and they even had to share their very first on-screen kiss.
You may also want to watch:
Mr Koleosho, whose character is a mechanic, told the Gazette: “I had to kiss Yvonne. At first I thought ‘oh no’, but you just have to get on with it.
“I really enjoyed filming, but I’ll be honest – it was hard work. We were filming for two days. I’m absolutely looking forward to watching it on television – I’m going to watch it with my family.”
Most Read
- 1 Hackney tenant who was left 'terrified' for years reaches court settlement
- 2 Police issue fines worth £15,000 after suspected illegal rave in Hackney
- 3 Empty Hoxton car parks and garages to be turned into homes
- 4 Hackney reviewing whether court ruling impacts low-traffic neighbourhoods
- 5 Pictures: Scenes in Islington and Hackney after snowfall blankets London
- 6 Restaurant owner delivers treats to Homerton Hospital
- 7 Investigation launched after Stamford Hill lockdown wedding
- 8 Man sentenced for assault on Homerton Hospital nurse
- 9 Bedroom pop producer 'owes success to Hackney's creative community'
- 10 Prospect of £10K fine after Stamford Hill wedding
The theatre group’s artistic director, Nick Llewellyn, said: “This is an exciting stage in our development for Access All Areas. With recent cuts in funding to the voluntary sector, Hackney needs a thriving arts project to empower those people with learning disabilities to speak up, change, grow and gain employment through the arts.”
Doctors will be screened at 1.40pm on Thursday, July 7. For more information about Access All Areas, call 020 7012 1760.
