7 things you never knew about Emmerdale star Thomas Atkinson, aka Lachlan White

7 things you never knew about Emmerdale star Thomas Atkinson, aka Lachlan White

Lachlan White could be on for a shock exit this autumn - how much do you know about the actor who plays him?

What was Thomas's first TV role? Are the rumours true he is leaving Emmerdale? Check out our fun facts about the guy who plays village killer Lachlan White...

1. Lachlan arrived wearing his infamous beanie hat

Thomas made his first on screen appearance as Chrissie White's teenage son, Lachlan White on 10 November 2014. His first scenes were with Belle Dingle, who became his on-screen girlfriend. Thomas was 15 years old when he started filming Emmerdale. "Being that young, I got attached to John Bowe and Louise Marwood, who played Lawrence and Chrissie," said Thomas. "Now they've gone and it's just me and Emily Head, who plays Rebecca."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Pu20WJHY2A

2. Thomas has been singing and dancing since he was three!

The now 19-year-old actor started attending The Dance Place in Blackpool when he was three years old. The studio space has around 150 pupils, and many of them have gone on to perform in West End shows and land TV roles. A while back, Thomas attended the grand re-opening of The Dance Place after it was damaged by an out-of-control car smash.

3. He played a young version of famous funnyman Eric Wise

His first TV role was as Little Eric in the BBC drama, Eric and Ernie (2011), which told the true story of comedy duo Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise. He also played a thief in Sky Living's comedy-drama Trying Again, which starred ex-EastEnders star Jo Joyner and Chris Addison.

4. Thomas was involved in one of Emmerdale's most controversial storylines

Aside from being the village's latest serial killer, Thomas reckons a stand-out Emmerdale moment is the controversial storyline in which Lachlan sexually assualts David Metcalfe's wife, Alicia, mistaking her friendliness for flirting.

"It was quite challenging to be thrown in at the deep end with that almost as soon as I arrived," said Thomas. "But Natalie is such a fab actress, and so welcoming and lovely, that she made me feel at home. It wasn’t awkward or anything."

5. Thomas is NOT as super-serious as the character he plays!

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Lachlan doesn't smile much, does he? Murder is a serious business! But the good news is, Thomas isn't a big misery like his character. Check out this fun behind-the-scenes snap (above) of Thomas filming with Emmerdale co-star Matthew Wolfenden.

6. Thomas's friends don't care if he's a soap star

Thomas's real-life buddies aren't too fussed to see him on the telly or popping up on the red carpet at glam awards shows. "They don’t care - they really don’t!" he says. "Which I think is good, as it keeps me grounded. They still take the mickey out of me. As much as I love Emmerdale, it’s nice to have an escape."

7. Thomas isn't leaving Emmerdale just yet!

Now that Lachlan's aunt Rebecca knows all his killer secrets, could he soon be stopped in his tracks by the police and sent to prison? And could this mean Thomas will be leaving Emmerdale? "The best possible outcome for him would be that he gets away with the killings and lives happily ever after with Belle – but that is unlikely!" teases Thomas in an interview with TVTimes. "In the autumn, the story moves towards a shocking climax, and there'll be some surprises along the way."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UQtGcFG4_s

Emmerdale continues weeknights at 7:00pm on ITV

Simon Timblick
Writer

Simon has long been a fan of soap operas, and especially loves OVER-THE-TOP plots involving evil twins, hair-pulling catfights and natural disasters.

Anyone remember the Sunset Beach earthquake/tidal wave?

Or when Krystle Carrington got locked in the attic and replaced by look-a-like Rita in Dynasty?!


Simon has written for a variety of TV and childrens’ magazines/websites including Inside Soap, Nickelodeon, What’s On TV, Radio Times, Metro, Girl Talk, Disney Girl, Toxic! and Digital Spy.

He has reported LIVE from the red carpet at The British Soap Awards interviewing glammed-up stars from soapland, and hosted a Facebook LIVE session for Metro with Home and Away legend Ray Meagher (Alf "Stone the flamin' crows!" Stewart) to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Aussie soap.


Simon is also co-author of The Treasures Of Coronation Street (Carlton Books)


And the writer and director of (very!) low budget fright flick, Midsummer Night's EVIL and the sequel webisodes series, The Hatchet Woods HORROR.