“Everyone has got a gift inside of them” Actor with Down's Syndrome aims to inspire people with learning disabilities in new role as Mencap ambassador

Image Credit: Tommy Jessop via Twitter

Actor Tommy Jessop has been recently named an ambassador of Mencap, the UK's leading charity for people with learning disabilities, and hopes to use this new role to inspire people with learning disabilities to achieve their dreams and ambitions.

Tommy Jessop has Down's Syndrome and best is known for his role as Terry Boyle in the hit series “Line of Duty”. The 36 year old is the first actor with Down's syndrome to star in a prime-time BBC drama.

Jessop also founded Blue Apple Theatre, which is dedicated to helping actors with learning disabilities progress in their acting career, and has recently been named a new ambassador for the UK's leading charity for people with learning disabilities, Mencap. He hopes to use this new role to help inspire other people with learning disabilities into acting.

Speaking to OK! Tommy urged people to "not to hold those with Down syndrome back", saying that he hopes “that through my acting I can help people to start dreaming and believing in themselves.”

"I reckon we should all have dreams and ambitions in life. Everyone has got a gift inside of them so people need to help us discover our talents and skills and please don't hold us back by saying we can't do things,” he continued. "Enjoy the differences we bring to the world, and let us show that we truly are capable of doing things."

When asked if people had thanked him for his inspiration, he said, "I think I've inspired people. The support too has been overwhelming. I feel very honoured and proud about all of this."

Jessop said that he enjoys helping at local charities, and has said he is both “excited” and “overwhelmed” at his new role as ambassador for Mencap. He believes that those with learning disabilities should be given opportunities to take on a variety of acting roles, and that, in order to provide them with these opportunities, any preconceptions directors may have towards anyone with a disability, needs to be broken down.

"There are millions of people in the UK with learning disabilities. I hope to use my role to stop people saying that we can't do certain things. Instead people should all be saying 'yes, you can.' We need to show we really are capable of different things," he said.