Ashley Thomas

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Ashley Thomas
Emmerdale character

Played by	John Middleton
Duration	1996-
Date of Birth	14th November 1961
Date of Death
Marital Status	Married
Occupation	Reverend
Family	Laurel, Gabby, Sandy, Jasmine

Ashley Thomas a fictional character in ITV's Soap Opera Emmerdale. He is played by John Middleton.

[edit] About Ashley

From the moment he set foot in Emmerdale, vicar Ashley was on a roller coaster ride of emotion. He presided over the wedding of Linda Glover and Biff Fowler, only to conduct Linda’s brother Dave’s funeral just weeks later.

Serious in his dedication for the church, Ashley found another passion in life when he began to develop feelings for Woolpack landlady Bernice Blackstock. Because she was engaged to another man, Gavin, Ashley tried to put his own feelings aside, but his resolve was tested as he began to suspect his love rival’s intentions weren’t all that honorable.

Oblivious to his feelings for her, Bernice continued to confide in Ashley and sought comfort from him when she finally discovered Gavin in bed with someone else – Jason Kirk! But when, a few months later, Ashley finally plucked up the courage to tell Bernice how he felt, she rejected him.

However, despite this, Bernice’s feelings for Ashley were growing and they finally got together. Ashley was over the moon when Bernice proposed to him and the couple married in a beautiful Christmas Day ceremony in 2000.

To their joy, Bernice fell pregnant just over a year later and it looked like their vision of a happy family was about to become complete. Tragically, Bernice lost the baby and drifted away from her husband emotionally.

She began having an affair with Woolpack chef Carlos Diaz, her half-sister Nicola’s fiancé, and fell pregnant again – with no clue who was the baby’s father. News of her affair was revealed on Nicola and Carlos’ wedding and the repercussions were devastating.

Determined to keep his family together, Ashley - who was proved to be baby Gabrielle’s father, forgave his wife but things were never the same between them. Unable to cope with motherhood or marriage, Bernice left Emmerdale and her family behind – and poor Ashley was heartbroken.

In 2003 his luck seemed to change when he began a passionate romance with another Woolpack landlady, Louise Appleton. But while they enjoyed each other’s company Louise and Ashley weren’t in love and, after both nearly dying when their car went off the road in the freak storms that New Year, they parted amicably.

Although Ashley had resolved to stay single, romance was brewing again. He’d long been the object of cleaner Laurel Potts’ desires, despite not being interested in her himself. But as their bond deepened, Ashley began to fall for the ditzy local and when she announced she was moving abroad, Ashley chased her to the airport and declared his undying love.

The relationship became serious almost immediately and, as Laurel prepared to spend some time in Tanzania doing volunteer work, Ashley popped the question. However, trouble erupted when the Bishop, Ashley’s boss, refused to give his blessing to the plans and Ashley resigned from his post.

Unable to live without his job, Ashley went back and told Laurel they would have to put their wedding plans on ice. The relationship was tested to breaking point as they struggle to convince the Bishop that their love is true.

Meanwhile, Ashley’s right hand man, Ethan Blake, began getting closer to Laurel. Although they’d initially had a tense relationship, things had improved between Ashley and Ethan and they were firm friends.

But Ethan’s faith was being severely tested – by his love for Laurel! When he finally confessed his feelings, Laurel turned him down but Ethan tried to make out something had been going on between them.

The truth came out, in front of the Bishop, and he finally gave Laurel and Ashley permission to wed.

They could have planned it out over months, but Laurel was desperate to be Mrs Thomas and they married in a deeply romantic, simple ceremony in Emmerdale.

On their wedding night, Ashley is horrified to find his father, Sandy, in their bed. It transpired that the two men were at loggerheads since Sandy committed euthanasia on Ashley's mum who was suffering from cancer.

However, thanks to Laurel’s help, they managed to start to bond again. Another factor that helps the bond is the return of Jasmine to the village. She starts to get close to troubled teen Debbie Dingle and soon they are inseparable.

But trouble is ahead as they and pal Daz Eden have a huge fight in the vicarage and accidentally start a fire! The home is ruined and Ashley and Laurel are completely devastated. Jasmine proves to be even more of a worry when she and Debbie start a lesbian relationship, despite both being completely unsure of their feelings.

Now Jasmine has split with Debbie after being caught out having an affair with her girlfriend’s dad Cain! And Ashley is horrified to think she’s gone so far off the rails under his care. So with his mischievous dad, nightmare niece, wacky wife and adorable daughter, Ashley’s got a lot on his plate!