Emmerdale star Bradley Riches has officially announced he will be taking a temporary break from all social media platforms mere days before his highly anticipated wedding to partner Scott Johnston. The actor, best known for his role as Lewis Barton on the long-running ITV soap opera, confirmed the digital hiatus through an emotional Instagram post that has since gone viral among fans and followers.
Countdown to the Big Day
With only four days remaining until the ceremony, Riches shared a heartfelt message on his Instagram account, writing: '4 DAYS,' accompanied by emotional symbols. He added: 'And 22 degrees?? sorry but that's definitely my nanny pulling strings up there. Pics pending… lots of them!! Xx see ya on the other side.' This poignant reference to his grandmother comes after the sad revelation earlier this month that his nanny passed away before she could witness his wedding day.
A Star-Studded Guest List
The upcoming nuptials are expected to be a celebrity-filled affair, with Riches previously confirming an impressive roster of guests from across the entertainment industry. In an interview with The Mail last month, the actor detailed the extensive guest list that includes colleagues from his various professional endeavors.
'So obviously we've got my new friends from Emmerdale, a couple of them are coming,' Riches explained. 'Heartstopper, some of them. The Big Brother lot. I think all of the Big Brother lot are actually coming. Like David [Potts], Colson [Smith], Nikita [Kuzmin], Sharon [Osbourne], Levi [Roots], Zeze [Millz], Marisha [Wallace], Ekin-Su [Cülcüloğlu], and other people I've met along the way, like Arlene Phillips, Tasha [Ghouri] from Love Island.'
The actor expressed surprise at the number of famous friends he has accumulated, stating: 'We were kind of like, obviously we will invite our loved ones and all our friends, and then I looked at the list and went: "Oh my god, I've actually got quite a lot of famous friends, I didn't realise". I was like: "Maybe I am embedded in the industry slowly".'
Personal and Professional Journey
Bradley Riches first gained widespread recognition through his role as James McEwan in the critically acclaimed Netflix series Heartstopper, which propelled him to national fame. His participation in Celebrity Big Brother in 2024, where he placed sixth, further expanded his public profile and introduced him to many of the celebrities who will now attend his wedding.
The couple's engagement was announced in early 2024, with Riches sharing an emotional tribute to his partner on social media at the time. He wrote: 'I never thought I'd find someone who gets me and loves me for me. I have always struggled connecting my emotions in relationships and then Scott came. I felt safe and accepted and most importantly loved. I love you endlessly.'
Remembering Family
In a moving tribute to his late grandmother, Riches recently shared a childhood photograph alongside a touching message: 'Never did I think I would be saying goodbye to my Gt. Nanny just days before my wedding. Before she passed, she told me she'd be with me on my big day… and I know she will be. She loved Scott so much- never questioned us, just loved us fully. I will miss you every day.'
The actor's decision to step back from social media comes during this emotionally charged period as he prepares for both the celebration of his marriage and the remembrance of his beloved grandmother. Fans and colleagues have flooded social media with supportive messages, wishing the couple happiness as they approach their wedding day.
While Riches will be absent from digital platforms temporarily, he has promised to share numerous photographs from the wedding upon his return, ensuring that followers will eventually get a glimpse of what promises to be one of the most talked-about celebrity weddings of the year.
