British toddler with Down’s Syndrome will model in Times Square

An adorable toddler who has already won plaudits as an actor and model will soon be seen beaming out from giant screens in New York’s dazzling Times Square as the face of a Down’s syndrome charity.

With his irresistible smile, 22-month-old Nate Court, from Solihull, West Midlands, won hearts in millions of homes when he appeared in BBC drama Call The Midwife at just three-months-old, then going on to model for brands like Primark and Mothercare.

But, for his accountant mum Charlotte Court, 34, data manager dad Matthew Court, 36, and his big brother Zac, six, the ultimate accolade will be seeing his face unveiled next month in the Big Apple, as part of a video presentation shown on giant screens, promoting the National Down’s Syndrome Society. 

The picture of Nate Court, 22 months, that will appear on a giant screen in Times Square, New York for  Down’s Syndrome charity The National Down’s Syndrome Society

Matt spotted an advert for the National Down's Syndrome Society - looking for people to send in pictures for a video to be displayed in Times Square - they applied again on a whim and Nate got the job!

Matt spotted an advert for the National Down’s Syndrome Society – looking for people to send in pictures for a video to be displayed in Times Square – they applied again on a whim and Nate got the job!

Nate appeared in a moving episode of Call The Midwife (pictured) as baby Tom, whose biological mother was going to put him  up for adoption, but fell in love with him

Nate appeared in a moving episode of Call The Midwife (pictured) as baby Tom, whose biological mother was going to put him  up for adoption, but fell in love with him 

 Charlotte said: ‘When Nate was born, we had no idea what Down’s Syndrome meant and everything felt so negative – there was nothing positive.

‘But we are so incredibly proud of him and how far he has come.

‘To think that his cheeky grin will be live in New York’s Times Square is spectacular and crazy.

‘It is wonderful to think he will be a part of something dedicated to inclusion and acceptance and promoting a charity that has helped our family so much.’

After a smooth pregnancy, when Nate was born on 23 October 2020, Matthew and Charlotte were shocked by his diagnosis of Down’s syndrome – which results from being born with an extra chromosome and can cause learning disabilities and other health complications.

Nate as a baby: Diagnosed with Hirschsprung's - a rare condition that causes waste to become stuck in the bowels - for the first three months of Nate's life, he was very poorly, needing rectal washouts every day.

Nate as a baby: Diagnosed with Hirschsprung’s – a rare condition that causes waste to become stuck in the bowels – for the first three months of Nate’s life, he was very poorly, needing rectal washouts every day.

Nate as a baby with his older brother Zac, now six - Charlotte said : 'We didn't know anything about Down's Syndrome or what it meant - we just crumbled.'

Nate as a baby with his older brother Zac, now six – Charlotte said : ‘We didn’t know anything about Down’s Syndrome or what it meant – we just crumbled.’

Charlotte said: ‘We just crumbled because we didn’t know anything about it or what it meant.

‘We had a very old-fashioned idea of what Down’s syndrome was. We were heartbroken.

‘We were worried how independent Nate would be, what needs he would have and what responsibility Zac might have looking after him.

‘We just had a complete lack of knowledge.

‘No one said that he would be okay and that it would all be okay.’

With Nate immediately whisked away to the neonatal unit for checks on his heart and bowel – which was not fully functioning – it took a few days for the couple to come to terms with his diagnosis.

Charlotte said: ‘For the first two days, I was in this state of shock and in a daze.

‘But as I was holding him and cuddling him mummy-mode just kicked in and I thought, ‘I’m his mum and he is my boy, what do I need to do now?”

Nate with his father Matthew Court, 36, have a sweet moment at home together. Matthew said: 'Seeing Nate's smile on that big screen will be incredible. I think my face will hurt from how much I will be smiling. 'It would have helped me so much to see something like this when Nate was born, to show the positive story and help educate people.'

Nate with his father Matthew Court, 36, have a sweet moment at home together. Matthew said: ‘Seeing Nate’s smile on that big screen will be incredible. I think my face will hurt from how much I will be smiling. ‘It would have helped me so much to see something like this when Nate was born, to show the positive story and help educate people.’

Zac and Nate on a train together, the two brothers from Solihull, West Midlands are messing around enjoying themselves Zac is 'so proud' of his brother according to his parents.

Zac and Nate on a train together, the two brothers from Solihull, West Midlands are messing around enjoying themselves Zac is ‘so proud’ of his brother according to his parents.

Diagnosed with Hirschsprung’s – a rare condition that causes waste to become stuck in the bowels – for the first three months of Nate’s life, he was very poorly, needing rectal washouts every day.

Charlotte said: ‘Twice a day for about an hour-and-half each time, we would set up the house with apparatus to empty his belly.

‘It was hard because he was so small and looked so unwell, as he wasn’t really eating properly.’

The operation to repair Nate’s bowel was a success and immediately gave the tot a new lease of life.’

Charlotte said: ‘He was so much better and started smiling and rolling around almost immediately.’

Viewers were move to tear after Blanche Dellow,  played by Madeleine Worrall, (pictured) welcomed a baby boy with Down's syndrome

Viewers were move to tear after Blanche Dellow,  played by Madeleine Worrall, (pictured) welcomed a baby boy with Down’s syndrome 

Immersing themselves in Down’s syndrome forums and groups online to learn everything they could within the community, the couple realised how far attitudes still need to change.

Charlotte said: ‘Everyone always says how strong the Down’s syndrome community is and they are right.

‘It made such a difference being able to talk to other parents and see people living their lives, happy and working with Down’s syndrome children.

‘But I did start to notice going to certain classes or activities that we would mention Nate had Down’s syndrome and people would just look at him and say, ‘Oh!’ Then they wouldn’t know what else to say.

‘There is still so much misunderstanding about it.’

Nate’s big break came in January 2021 when Charlotte stumbled on an advert from a Down’s syndrome charity looking for a baby of his age and weight for a TV show.

To the couple’s disbelief, Nate was selected to appear on the show – revealed to be Call The Midwife.

Charlotte said: ‘I couldn’t believe it. It is one of my favourite shows and I’ve never missed an episode.’

Matthew with Nate when he was born - Immersing themselves in Down's syndrome forums and groups online to learn everything they could within the community, the couple realised how far attitudes still need to change.

Matthew with Nate when he was born – Immersing themselves in Down’s syndrome forums and groups online to learn everything they could within the community, the couple realised how far attitudes still need to change.

Nate in his appearance on BBC's Call the Midwife, which indcidentally, happens to be one of Charlotte's favorite shows!

Nate in his appearance on BBC’s Call the Midwife, which indcidentally, happens to be one of Charlotte’s favorite shows!

Featuring in the final episode of series 10 aired in May 2021, Nate’s parents saw their baby boy being ‘born again’ in the episode.

‘It was everything we could have wanted,’ said Charlotte.

‘It was really emotional and cathartic to watch Nate being “born”.

‘They matched every emotion we had felt about Down’s syndrome in all the characters and it was so well done. Every feeling shown was valid.

‘Nate’s little brother watched and said he didn’t know why he was crying and I explained they were happy tears, because he was proud of his brother!’

Nate’s starring role quickly saw him join the books of an agency representing children with disabilities and the modelling gigs started to line up.

Nate with proud Mum Charlotte having a cuddle: She said her toddler 'loves the camera' and 'can't believe how far he's come'

Nate with proud Mum Charlotte having a cuddle: She said her toddler ‘loves the camera’ and ‘can’t believe how far he’s come’

Working with the likes of Mothercare, Primark and different children’s salons and boutiques, he has become a seasoned model.

Charlotte said: ‘Nate absolutely loves it. As soon as he gets to the photoshoots, he thinks it is play time!

‘They have all these toys and ribbons and baby sharks and he just rolls around and plays with everything.’

It is undoubtedly Nate’s cheeky personality that makes him such a natural in front of the camera, according to his mum.

She said: ‘He loves the camera.

‘He will give them one cheeky shot and then crawl off to the back of the room – he is such a rascal!

‘If he goes to do something mischievous and we tell him off, he will wag his finger at us with this really coy face.

Nate's starring role in BBC's Call the Midwife quickly saw him join the books of an agency representing children with disabilities and the modelling gigs started to line up.

Nate’s starring role in BBC’s Call the Midwife quickly saw him join the books of an agency representing children with disabilities and the modelling gigs started to line up.

Matthew said: 'It would be so incredible if Nate's familiarity with the camera grew into something more and became a love or career for him. 'But even if it all ended tomorrow, we will have this amazing capsule of memories to treasure.'

Matthew said: ‘It would be so incredible if Nate’s familiarity with the camera grew into something more and became a love or career for him. ‘But even if it all ended tomorrow, we will have this amazing capsule of memories to treasure.’

‘We can’t go shopping without someone stopping us because he is so cute. He draws a crowd wherever we go.’

Then in July, after Matt spotted an advert for the National Down’s Syndrome Society – looking for people to send in pictures for a video to be displayed in Times Square – they applied again on a whim.

Charlotte said: ‘When Matt told me Nate had been accepted, I actually had to research again what it was because I couldn’t remember!

‘I couldn’t believe it at first – but it is just spectacular and wonderful.

‘When Nate was first born, I was scared. I want and need future families to know they shouldn’t be scared, because it is going to be okay.

‘Down’s Syndrome is just part of life and a different way of learning and growing.

Nate with his mother Charlotte Court,34, said at first her and her partner had 'really old fashioned' views about Down's Syndrome but now they say Nate wouldn't 'be where he is today' without his condition and ate incredibly proud of him.

Nate with his mother Charlotte Court,34, said at first her and her partner had ‘really old fashioned’ views about Down’s Syndrome but now they say Nate wouldn’t ‘be where he is today’ without his condition and ate incredibly proud of him.

‘I love that Nate does things in his own time, in his own way and always with this determined smile.’

And it means the world to Matt that his son will be helping to make a difference.

Father Matthew said: ‘Seeing Nate’s smile on that big screen will be incredible.

‘I think my face will hurt from how much I will be smiling.

‘It would have helped me so much to see something like this when Nate was born, to show the positive story and help educate people.

Nate playing with father Matthew - the  family are eagerly awaiting the unveiling of Nate's picture on the giant screen in Times Square on September 17

Nate playing with father Matthew – the  family are eagerly awaiting the unveiling of Nate’s picture on the giant screen in Times Square on September 17

Cheeky Nate, shows his adorable smile to the camera whilst wrapped in a towel - the nation fell in love with him last year as Robert in Call The Midwife, when he appeared in the popular drama he was just three months old

Cheeky Nate, shows his adorable smile to the camera whilst wrapped in a towel – the nation fell in love with him last year as Robert in Call The Midwife, when he appeared in the popular drama he was just three months old

‘We are so proud of Nate, what he has achieved and who he is.

‘Ultimately, Nate wouldn’t be who he is without Down’s Syndrome.’

While the family are eagerly awaiting Nate’s Times Square debut on September 17, they are also excited for what else the future will bring.

Matthew said: ‘It would be so incredible if Nate’s familiarity with the camera grew into something more and became a love or career for him.

‘But even if it all ended tomorrow, we will have this amazing capsule of memories to treasure.

‘We just can’t wait to see what more he achieves.’