'Coronation Street' will star actor with Down syndrome for the first time

'Coronation Street' bosses have for the very first time cast an actor suffering from Down syndrome.

According to sources, Liam Bairstow, who will play Alex, the nephew of Roy Cropper's new love interest Cathy Matthews, will be joined by 'Phoenix Nights' star Ted Robbins, who had a narrow escape with death earlier this year after collapsing on stage during a performance, the Daily Star reported.

In a statement, producer Stuart Blackburn confirmed that Bairstow was cast from a recent workshop they held for actors with disabilities, adding that while auditioning they found Liam "brilliant."

"We've actually discovered a really great actor with a lovely sense of timing and the cast have been loving working with him", he added.

Liam has also been a part of the Mind The Gap theatre group.