Emmerdale actor James Moore is best known for his role as Ryan Stocks in the long-running ITV soap.
James has played Ryan for three years after making his debut back in 2018 as Charity Dingle's long-lost son, who she conceived after being raped at the age of 14.
Ryan, who is also the was was adopted by Irene Stocks, the midwife who delivered him, however, Charity assumed Ryan had died as she had a difficult birth, and later saw nurses give a baby CPR.
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The actor has ataxic cerebral palsy and struggled to find parts after leaving university, but since joining the show he has won the Best Newcomer award at the National Television Awards for his portrayal of Ryan.
29-year-old James, impressed Emmerdale bosses so much when they hired him that they let him have substantial input in the role.
Here's everything we know about James Moore's life away from the cameras from his love life and unusual tattoo to his disability activist role.
Who is Ryan Stocks actor James Moore?
The young actor is from Cheltenham in Gloucestershire and describes himself as an actor, musician and a vegan.
He has ataxic cerebral palsy and is a huge advocate for disability representation in the media, but almost gave up on his acting dream because he believed a lack of disabled roles in the industry would hinder his chances.
In an earlier interview with The Mirror, James said: "In order to have roles there needed to be disabled roles developed, so I was like, that could hold me back a little bit."
James wanted to be an actor from the age of 13 but struggled to find work, he did a degree in photography and studied at the National Youth Theatre which led to him taking part in a number of plays and short films prior to his role on Emmerdale.
Astonishingly, James bagged his role in Emmerdale a mere two weeks after getting himself an agent.
"I just started emailing agents with this film that I’d done saying, ‘Hey. What’s up? I’m looking for representation.’
And then Yafta, actually in the building just over the road, got back to me and they signed me," James explained.
"Two weeks later they called me in and said Emmerdale want to see you. Two weeks."
Emmerdale bosses wanted to hire someone with a ‘disability of some kind’ to play Charity Dingle's son.
"When I was brought in they were very open to learning about me, which I really liked," he said.
"I had a lot of conversations with people at ITV in Leeds and the researcher team, who asked me lots of questions about my disability, what I do – like my background and my early life – they really did a deep dive."
James has faced some tough challenges in his career and has admitted he ‘has issues with self doubt’, but he has loved being able to show disability in a new light with his platform on Emmerdale.
James won the Best Newcomer award at the National Television Awards 2019 for his portrayal of Ryan and his inspirational speech left viewers in tears.
Does James Moore have a girlfriend?
Away from the cameras, James lives with his girlfriend Sophie Edwards and their adorable cat Tonto, who he has tattooed onto his leg.
James celebrated his second anniversary with Sophie in summer, who he praised for helping him to ‘become a better person’ and learn to be more accepting and confident in his own skin.
He posting a loving tribute to his girlfriend in his most recent Instagram post, he wrote: "Two years. I can’t believe it. We’ve had two amazing, happy, incredible years together. We’ve come so far from where we started.
"We live together, we have our own little fur baby, and we are stronger than ever.
"I’m so thankful for your support and encouragement and just pure, absolute love that you give me each and every day, and I can’t wait to make some new memories with you in the years to come. Happy anniversary, I love you."
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James' disability rights advocacy
He has ataxic cerebral palsy and is a huge advocate for disability representation in the media.
James previously explained to Disability Horizons: "So firstly, I have cerebral palsy (CP), but it’s Ataxic CP, which basically means that I struggle with movement and co-ordination.
“I find it difficult to walk long distances and there are certain things I know I can’t do, but I’ve adapted to these challenges in my day-to-day life.
He added: "This is why I love being a part of Emmerdale – it’s showing disability in a new light and letting viewers know that disabled people can be independent and have full, healthy lives. Together, we’re proving that disability isn’t a defining factor.
"It's hard for anyone, but when I was growing up, there weren't many disabled people being represented on film or television.
"But after I signed with an agent, the role came up almost straight away. I really put my all into it.
"The part of Ryan was always intended to be for a disabled actor, but not specifically one with cerebral palsy. It was incredible that they wrote that in later."
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