Lewis Bridgeman plays Barney Mitchell on EastEnders, but off the soap, he has an incredibly ‘high IQ’ (Image: BBC)Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxMore Newsletters SubscribePlease enter a valid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.More NewslettersWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More infoThank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow me See OurPrivacy Notice See OurPrivacy Notice×Group 28 Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxInvalid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.Sign UpNo thanks, closeWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info×Group 28Thank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow MeNo thanks, closeSee our
Privacy NoticeLewis Bridgeman, the new face in Albert Square who has taken on the role of Barney Mitchell, isn’t just causing a stir in EastEnders with his compelling storylines. Beyond his acting chops, he’s also known for his remarkable intelligence. Lewis – who is now 17 and recently arrives in EastEnders as Barney – joined the elite ranks of Mensa at the age of 12, proving that his IQ sits in the top 2 percent globally. Members of this high-IQ society are required to have an IQ of at least 132. Incredibly proud, Lewis’ mum Jayne boasted to the Maldon Standard in 2021 about her son’s academic prowess: “His IQ is high but he struggles with social things like making friends. But the Plume [academy] have been brilliant – he’s come on so much.”
Lewis Bridgeman’s character Barney Mitchell has been a big part of the soap’s storyline this week, with the teen being dangled from a railway bridge by Ravi Gulati
(Image: BBC)
Despite the challenges of anxiety, autism and dyspraxia, Lewis thrived academically, defying expectations. “I was told he was going to have a horrible time at secondary school but it’s been quite the opposite – they’ve been amazing,” Jayne added. The recognition from Mensa has significantly boosted Lewis’ confidence, and his mother couldn’t be prouder: “He has found confidence in himself and now getting this from Mensa has been fantastic for his confidence because someone thinks he is clever. I always knew he was clever, but not to that extent,” reports RSVP Live. Showing signs of brilliance early on, Jayne recounted his precocious abilities: “He started talking early and he was very good at maths and figures at a very early age.” Lewis developed a passion for drama at the tender age of six and joined the prestigious National Youth Theatre at just 14 years old. Sign up to OK!’s TV newsletter to get updates sent to your inbox for free
Lewis Bridgeman joined EastEnders as a new member of the Mitchell family along with Roland Manookian (Teddy Mitchell) and Elijah Holloway (Harry Mitchell)
(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
Initially, he had aspirations of becoming an actor or a drama teacher. His mother, Jayne, previously shared: “He is very successful in his drama club and is a different boy when he’s on stage. On Friday he got up in front of 100 people and wasn’t nervous, yet he doesn’t go outside at break time or lunch time.” She also mentioned that he is one of the youngest to be accepted into the National Youth Theatre. “He has huge anxieties in everyday life, but when he’s on the stage, he’s like a different person. He adores everything to do with theatre and film,” Jayne said. The EastEnders star was also honoured with the Young Achiever Of The Year award at the Pride of Maldon Awards in 2020.Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnEastEndersDrama
