WHEN Alison and Lee Rogerson looked into the eyes of their baby son after his birth, they were reassured of his perfection. Beautiful skin, piercing eyes, alert, he was everything they had wanted and hoped for.

But as Alison, 43, was preparing to leave hospital, she was asked to wait for a paediatrician. Baby Harvey had several markers for Down’s Syndrome and a few days later the news was confirmed.

But this is not a sad story – far from it. For Harvey is now four and appears regularly in Emmerdale as Leo, son of Rhona, one of the village vets, and Marlon, chef at The Woolpack.

To say that Harvey, who has a brother Freddie, aged three, and sister Ava, 22 months, has enriched the lives of Alison and Lee is an understatement.

The family lives in Walton-le-Dale but Alison and Lee met and lived in Blackburn for many years. Lee, 48, a former professional footballer, played for Accrington Stanley, Wigan, Clitheroe and Chorley. He now has his own joinery business which affords him time to take the budding star of the family for filming on the Emmerdale set.

Says Alison: “We had been told the pregnancy was low risk. I wasn’t offered an amniocentesis. Even when he was born it wasn’t obvious that he was Down’s Syndrome. He was beautiful. But there are several markers - a gap between toes, the wider fontanelle and little folds around the eyes. Some babies have a single palm crease instead of double.”

Not knowing what the future held for their son, the couple were understandably devastated. It wasn’t what they’d planned. They faced a future of unknowns.

Says Lee: “We imagined a life of exclusion and difference. It’s funny looking back at those early days because we feel so different about it all now. We were even worrying about telling our friends in case some would back off from us for having a different child and that we would never be able to go on another holiday.”

In fact, the family has had lots of holidays and friends have been there for them all along the way.

“Old ones are stronger than ever,” says Alison. “They’ve embraced our little boy with more love than we could ever have asked for. One close friend said to me in those dark early days ‘Remember Alison, always focus on what he can and will do, not what he can’t’ – those words have always encouraged me. New friendships have been made through Harvey and, as for laughing – he brings us so much joy - we laugh a lot.”

When Harvey was born, the Emmerdale storyline featured Rhona who was expecting, and subsequently gave birth to a baby boy with Down’s syndrome. The part was originally played by two babies, Theo and Harry, and eventually just Harry.

“I happened to contact the Down’s Syndrome Association to obtain some educational information as Harvey was starting nursery. I got talking to the press officer about the soap storyline and how the character was the same age as Harvey with the same blond hair. She had been acting as an advisor to the story writers and cast to ensure they were able to produce scenes in the most positive, realistic and sensitive way. She asked me if I would be willing for her to pass on Harvey’s details to the casting team as she was aware that they were looking for a second child to share the part.”

Three weeks later they got in touch and arranged for Harvey to be screen tested at the studios in Leeds. He wasn’t at all fazed by the lights, cameras and action, so he got the part.

His first appearance was in May 2012 when he appeared at Leo’s first birthday party as a guest. He then started covering scenes when Harry was unavailable due to holidays or illness.

Tragically, Harry, who was born the day before Harvey, died last year due to related illnesses. After an extended break, Harvey continued to solely play the part.

“Everyone in the Emmerdale team is so welcoming and warm,” says Alison. “Both cast members and crew spend time with Harvey both on and off set. He loves playing with his on screen sister, April, played by Amelia Flanagan and makes himself at home in his dressing room. He high fives all the crew and canteen staff, who always save him sausages for breakfast. Mark Charnock, who plays Marlon, plays football with him.”

Harvey doesn’t yet speak more than a few words, so his role involves riding around on his bike, eating or playing.

Says Lee: “Harvey has proved us wrong in every way. He is a bright, healthy, determined, engaging little boy who lights up every room he enters. He is due to start at Astley Park School in Chorley this September. He walked earlier than expected, says a few words and uses Signalong to communicate. He loves playing with his brother and sister; and his favourite things are his toy drill and building with his magnetic bricks. He loves going down slides, playing in the garden, dancing to Frozen and eating pizza and chocolate.”

But it’s not all fun and games. The couple never expected to be taking their child to continual speech, language and occupational therapies, attending meetings with Special Needs officers or having physiotherapy and paediatric check-ups.

“There was no way I thought I would be someone at a local support group and, shock horror, actually enjoy it – but I do,” says Alison. “Of course, we have bad days when Harvey is feeling stubborn or grumpy - it is a myth that Down syndrome children are always happy and loving - and sometimes we do still worry for the future but without question our family has been enriched beyond measure with Harvey in it.”

The couple have learned never to underestimate their son and fully expect in the future that he will live semi-independently, work and do many of the things people of his age would do.

“If myself and Lee ever worry that we may be subjecting Harvey to negativity or ignorance by allowing him to be seen by a TV audience, we remember the reasons we decided to accept the opportunity.

“We are not seeking to exploit Harvey in any way but we hope that by people hearing his story, sharing in his achievements - albeit slow and steady achievements - and seeing his shining little personality, through the character of Leo, he can portray children with Down Syndrome in a positive way and change some misconceptions about Down Syndrome and what it means.

“People with DS are being given the best chances in life and, far from being a regret or disappointment, Harvey is quite honestly the most amazing little boy to have in our lives.”

For info on Down’s Syndrome: http://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/