THE proud mum of a six-year-old boy with Down's Syndrome and a congenital heart defect who has appeared of M&S Little Shop adverts says his story should encourage other families that "disability is not a barrier".

Stephen Lundon from Bold was just eight days old when his life hung in the balance as his parents Stephen Lundon Snr and Simone Blount were told he had a congenital heart defect and had to undergo five operations where he nearly died.

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Stephen in the advert

Since then he has gone from strength to strength and showed a great love of acting and drama, so his doting mum Simone Blount put him into acting classes with an inclusive arts school based in Widnes called ELLA Together.

She said: "I really want to celebrate how far Stephen has come, after such a shaky start in life, Stephen started an amazing, inclusive drama school and through his drama lessons my usually quiet and timid boy began to flourish.

"He couldn't walk when he first started and had a special walker, but seeing the other children performing and dancing really motivated Stephen, and in April last year he took his first steps.

"We put a microphone in his hand and he became a different child so confident and happy and last year he did his first solo performance as 'Mauwi' from Moana on stage in front of hundreds of people and has since performed a few times at The Brindley Theatre on stage.

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Stephen is a little performer

"Seeing how happy Stephen is in front of the camera, and how much his self esteem and confidence has grown, I signed him up to children's talent agency Bonnie and Betty at Christmas and since then Stephen has gone from strength to strength."

After appearing in a few brochures, Stephen auditioned alongside other children for the new Marks and Spencer 'My Little Shop campaign' and Simone, 40, was "amazed and proud" when she learned he not only got the part but was "first choice".

She added: "Stephen did so well to get this part, he went into the audition room alone both times. I don't know exactly what he did, but he obviously did something right.

"After filming, the director, Kevin Thomas even emailed me to say that Stephen was his first choice for the commercial, he was the star.

"There are about six different versions of the commercial, and my cheeky boy has managed to sneak into all of them.

"He loves seeing himself on the TV and whenever it comes on we have to keep rewinding it, but I don't mind, I am so proud of my amazing boy and I could watch it all day.

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Stephen only learned how to walk last year

"For me it's important to share Stephen's story to help others who have children with special needs see that having a disability is not a barrier.

"The entertainment industry has really opened in the last couple of years, and is much more accepting, encouraging and inclusive than ever before.

"When Stephen was born he was very sick, he needed emergency heart surgery at just eight days old and spent the next seven months in Alder Hey.

"There were times I didn't even know what the next day would bring, I never dared think too far ahead.

"Now I look at Stephen and I can't believe he is the same child and that he has found something he's not only good at but is allowed to share his talents with the whole country."

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Stephen in one of the six adverts shot for M&S' Little Shop

Stephen will also be appearing in a future Disney Channel show to be announced in the future.

Sharry Cramond, Food Marketing Director at M&S added: “Stephen’s a true little superstar and it’s lovely to see the local community excited about his appearance in the campaign.

"We had great fun on set filming with Stephen and the rest of our funny and mischievous Little Shop stars.”