TV legend opens up on son’s autism as he fiercely defends EastEnders storyline

Eastenders prima Colin Salmon opened up astir the value of the autism storyline connected the soap.

The George Knight actor, 62, revealed his lad has autism and appreciated the practice successful the soap. 

At this year’s National Television Awards, Colin told The Sun:’It meant a batch to my lad arsenic well, he’s rather excited astir that.

‘I don’t cognize if I’ve enactment much of myself arsenic I thin to springiness everything I’ve got anyway. But due to the fact that of the autism we person to make a harmless environment, we person to support it calm, it’s specified a affirmative happening having him [Dayo Koleosho] connected acceptable and helium ever knows his lines, which is much than I tin accidental for immoderate people.’

This comes aft Colin deed retired astatine Lord Alan Sugar implicit his comments connected a large storyline.

The Apprentice star Alan is an avid watcher of the BBC One soap and his opinions and commentary connected storylines have go talking points connected societal media implicit the years.

But his latest instrumentality has near viewers upset, with the TV property branding George Knight’s member Kojo, who is autistic, a ‘step excessively far’.

‘I recognize that the remit of the BBC is to cater for each walks of life,’ helium wrote connected X, formerly known arsenic Twitter. ‘I personally deliberation the quality Kojo is simply a measurement excessively far.

‘It is bittersweet and hard to ticker and immoderate what disingenuous to those genuine radical who are autistic.’

His comments were met with criticism, with galore fans pointing retired that histrion Dayo Koleosho, who plays Kojo, is autistic successful existent life.

‘Firstly the histrion does person autism successful existent beingness and secondly, what is incorrect with @bbceastenders highlighting the challenges that radical with autism has and however it tin interaction their emotion ones,’ wrote X idiosyncratic Steven.

Colin was speedy to respond to The Apprentice star, writing: ‘Our work arsenic storytellers is to archer stories from each walks of life.

‘Regardless of however hard oregon bittersweet it is for ‘you’ to watch. Many of america locomotion a antithetic way but we are loved, valued members of existent families. Authentic practice successful fashionable civilization helps bring astir & consolidate knowing and empathy. #OutOfOrder #HeAintHeavyHesMyBrother.’

Colin’s effect was praised. ‘Well done!’ said Kate Robbins, a sentiment echoed by galore fans.

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