Emmerdale star John Middleton and Charlotte Bellamy were being cautious on the Soap Awards red carpet. But they needn't have been because they dominated the awards in Manchester

Emmerdale stars John Middleton and Charlotte Bellamy reunited at the British Soap Awards and marched off with the Best Actor and Actress awards.

The stars who played Ashley and Laurel Thomas until Ashley's recent death from Alzheimer's related illness have been universally praised for their performances in the ITV soap.

But speaking on the red carpet before they won, the pair were being cautious.

John said: "I've got a rough sketch of what I might say, but I'm not going to predict anything by saying I'm definitely going to say it because I might not!"

He added: "It was 20 years of my life, so it's great to come back. It's like coming back for a nice, lovely party, it really is."

John and Charlotte were both hoping the other would receive an award because they mutually agreed each other deserved it. So the feeling at winning must have been elation and validation.

Charlotte said: "It would be amazing to win [Best Soap] but as a team we don't take anything for granted. We've all got our fingers crossed."

Ultimately, Emmerdale won Best Soap, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Storyline, Best Single Episode and Best Male Dramatic Performance.

John Middleton, who leaves his role of Ashley Thomas in Emmerdale on Friday night, wants to play a completely different role next...

Departing Emmerdale star John Middleton hopes his next acting role is an 'evil' one.

The actor plays vicar Ashley Thomas in the soap, who will die in Friday night’s episode after a long storyline about his stroke-related early onset vascular dementia.

During an appearance on ITV's This Morning, John spoke of his career prospects and shared his ambition to take on a completely different role.

He told hosts Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes: “As I often say, I haven’t got plans. I’m an actor – I’ve got hopes.

“I’d love to play someone totally evil.”

Appearing on the ITV programme alongside his long-running co-star and on-screen wife Charlotte Bellamy, he said it has not fully sunk in that he has left the soap after 20 years.

He said: “I don’t actually feel as if I’ve left yet. I think I might feel that tonight.”

Charlotte, who plays Ashley’s wife Laurel, said she feels the same, adding: “He’s still on screen, we film six weeks in advance, so not really.”

The actor added that he will not be watching the episode when it airs because he does not want to watch himself 'die again'.

John said he will miss working with Charlotte, and that filming his final scene was particularly hard because it means he loses his colleague as well as his character.

When asked about the two-fold impact of the scenes, he said: “There was that aspect of it, it can’t be denied. For me, for losing the show, and leaving the show after 20 years, but also this working relationship.

“Charlotte and I will stay friends, we live in the same town, there are lots of places to have coffee and we both have dogs to walk.

“But I really love working with Charlotte and I won’t be doing that any more.”

Viewers will see John’s final scenes as Ashley – who first appeared in Emmerdale in 1996 – as he bows out of the series.

The episode is also expected to include a look back at some happier moments from Ashley’s life as the villagers say their goodbyes to him.

Ashley’s final Emmerdale episode will screen on April 7 at 7pm on ITV.

Emmerdale fans knew it was coming but, still, watching Ashley Thomas die is going to be hard. 'It is a beautiful death, though,' Charlotte Bellamy promises

Knowing that her husband, dementia sufferer Ashley Thomas, doesn’t have long left to live, Laurel brings him home and attempts to make his final days as loving and comfortable as possible.

“It is a beautiful ending,” Charlotte Bellamy tells Soaplife. “It is a good death that will make your heart swell.”

When does Laurel find out that Ashley has only days left? “Ashley has pneumonia and Laurel is hoping that he will make a recovery, but is told by the doctor that he won’t get better – this is the end. Laurel doesn’t want him to die in hospital; she wants him at home, surrounded by his family and his children, where there are pictures of him throughout his life. She doesn’t know how long he has got, but knows it is only days.”

What can you tell us about Ashley’s death? “I can’t say what happens, but I will tell you that it was really hard to film. We wanted to get it right, so the end was very important for everyone. It’s not what you think might happen. I’ve been wondering how they are going to end it and what they’ve done is kind of life affirming. Laurel invites Ashley’s friends over to say goodbye and, finally, she has a tender moment with him alone before he dies.”

Have you enjoyed the dementia storyline? “It has been a long journey. This story came about two years ago and it seems to have become very topical in the last year. Every week there is something being written about it. In soap terms it has been a really massive story that has kept twisting and turning. Everyone is on board with it now. A woman came up to me in the supermarket recently with tears in her eyes and said, ‘Thank you, you’ve told the story of my husband and that helps me so much’.”

How will Laurel cope? “She is devastated, but has the family to look after. She has got Sandy, the children and little Dotty, so she has to be brave and carry on. She has to pick herself up and go into survival mode.”

And how will you cope with Ashley actor John Middleton’s departure? “I will be bereft. We have worked so closely as a soap couple and, suddenly, it stops. I loved every minute of working with John and it is going to be quite hard being at work without him. What I love about John is that he doesn’t have an ego. He always plays the truth.”

Emmerdale, ITV

As Emmerdale's former Vicar, Ashley Thomas, reaches the end of the road, actor John Middleton talks about his character's moving dementia storyline and shares his thoughts on leaving the soap after 20 years...

It's the end of an era in Emmerdale next week. In an episode to be screened on Friday, April 7th, former village vicar, Ashley Thomas, will pass away at home, following a battle with dementia and a recent diagnosis of pneumonia.

We caught up with actor John Middleton to talk about his portrayal of Ashley's condition, and to find out what's in store for him as he waves goodbye to the popular ITV1 soap.

Ashley is about to bow out on screen – is this going to be a tearjerker for soap fans? "I think it’s a tearjerker for everyone! When we filmed Ashley’s death, the atmosphere on set was extraordinary. We were getting ready for a take, and what we call the 'checks' came on – where people check your costume and your make-up. One woman was leaning over me and her tears were dripping on to my cheek! The medical advisor was crying, too!"

How does it feel to be saying goodbye to the show when you’ve been in it for so long? 'It’s weird, to tell you the truth. I’ve been in Emmerdale for over 20 years – that’s half my career. I think I’ll only appreciate how odd it is when I’ve properly gone, because after 20 years, you’re sort of institutionalised. My mother said to me: ‘You’re going to experience something akin to grief.’ I was like ‘Yeah, right’ but actually, I think she’s right.'

Why do you think the dementia storyline has resonated so much with the public? "Well, it’s a really good story. But the main reason is that most people have some experience of this disease. I’ve found it really quite astonishing, the number of people who’ve come up to me and said: 'Thank you for doing that; my Dad had this’ or ‘My Mum died a few years ago and she had this.’ And it keeps happening. I’m a football fan and I go to the match up in Newcastle every other Saturday, and I regularly have people coming up me and talking about their own experiences."

How much of your performance has been based on your research of dementia, and how much has been instinctive? "I’m the sort of actor who likes to do research, but after a while, you’ve just got to think 'Right, that’s in the background; now I’ve got to let my instinct deal with it.' Freddie Jones, who plays Sandy, said to me once: 'John, dear boy, you can do as much research as you like, but after a while, you have to let your imagination fly!' And it’s very true; you just have to think 'This feels right.I don’t know why it feels right, but this feels right.'

"There are some general things that I discovered, for example, it’s very common for people with dementia to shuffle, because you have limited spatial awareness. It a bit like when you get out of bed to go to the loo and don’t want to put the light on, and you shuffle because you don’t want to bang your feet."

Has the storyline made you fear dementia? "I don’t fear it as much as acknowledge that it’s a possibility; I fear it like I might fear death. If I was given a diagnosis of a form of dementia, I wouldn’t regard it as a death sentence. I know that you can live well with it, and that there are strategies you can adopt to help with it, and certain drugs that can help.

"But prior to all that happening, what I would fiercely like to campaign for is that more research goes into finding a cure for this disease, because it’s a huge, huge problem. The Alzheimers Society told me that currently 850,000 people in this country alone are diagnosed with dementia and that figure is likely to rise to about two million by about 2050."

Will you continue to watch Emmerdale after your exit? "At the risk of offending Charlotte (co-star Charlotte Bellamy, who plays Laurel), probably not. I might dip in every now and again and go 'That’s who Laurel’s with now!' but you have to make a clean break. I don’t believe in looking back; I’ve got to look forward, and actually it’s very exciting looking forward at the moment because there’s such a lot of amazing work being done on television for writers and actors."

How do you feel about not working with Charlotte any more? "It’s a small tragedy. Well, a big tragedy! One of our colleagues, Sam Giles, who plays Bernice, said to me 'You’ll have to do something life affirming after this.' And I thought, 'You know, you’re right.' The nice thing is that Charlotte and I live around the corner from each other in Harrogate, and there are lots of life-affirming walks to be had. We both have dogs and we both like walking."

What’s next for you? "I’ve had very good conversations with people very high up within ITV. I think it’s more likely than anywhere that that’s where the work is going to come, if it comes. I’ve had great conversation with someone called Jane Hudson, who’s in charge of ongoing and continuity drama. But we’ll just have to see."

It won’t be too long before the British Soap Awards are upon us. Are you hoping Ashley’s dementia storyline will be recognised? "It is amazing to have people share their stories, and you couldn’t ask for an award as rich as that. Honestly, with any drama you want to make a connection. That’s what drama’s for; it’s for holding out a hand to people and saying, ‘You’re not alone.’ And if we can do that, then that’s fantastic – at the risk of sounding pretentious, you’ve smuggled art into a popular show. What we want to do is celebrate and honour the people who’ve lived with this, and I hope we’ve achieved that."

Laurel brings Ashley home to spend his last days at home as she's told her husband has days to live.

With Ashley having been diagnosed with pneumonia, Laurel is desperately hoping her husband will make a recovery. But the devoted wife is sent reeling when a doctor informs her that Ashley has just days to live. After being told to prepare for the worst, Laurel brings Ashley home to Mulberry Cottage to make his last few days as comfortable and as soothing as possible.

As Ashley's friends visit to say goodbye to their dear friend, his daughter Gabby resents not being able to spend time along with her father. All too soon, Ashley passes away with his devastated wife by his side...

Laurel is by Ashley's side, at home, when her husband passes away.

Laurel is by Ashley's side, at home, when her husband passes away.

Earlier on, with Ashley having been diagnosed with pneumonia, Laurel's hoping he'll recover. But a medic tells her her husband has just days to live.

Gabby turns to her friend Jacob for support.

Laurel has decided Ashley should spend his last days at home with his loved ones.

But Gabby just wants time alone with his dad and resents all the visitors. Will she get her chance to say goodbye?Watch Emmerdale on ITV from Monday 3 April.

Laurel struggles with her stepdaughter Gabby who's upset about her dad Ashley and his worsening dementia. She bunks off school, gets drunk and takes a boy upstairs to the bedroom at Mulberry.

Laurel and Arthur visit Ashley in the care home. But he shows little interest in his family and, instead, is more concerned about sneaking sandwiches away for his new friend Maggie. It's hard for Laurel to watch her husband, who has dementia, ebb away from her - but for the kids, it's agony.

The situation is hitting Ashley's teenage daughter Gabby especially hard. Acting out her pain, she bunks off school with Liv and gets drunk with a couple of lads, Josh and Jamie. Before long, Gabby and Josh are kissing and heading upstairs… When Laurel returns home there's hell to pay. But can the Thomases find a way through this painful journey? And can Doug get Ashley's so-called mates, Bob and Jimmy, to help ease the load on Laurel?

Laurel flips when she finds Gabby at home with a boy called Josh. They've bunked off school and are drunk.

Laurel flips when she finds Gabby at home with a boy called Josh. They've bunked off school and are drunk.

Laurel and Arthur visit Ashley in the care home. The vicar has dementia and barely registers or realises they're his family.

Arthur's particularly upset when his dad starts squirrelling sandwiches away which they're supposed to be enjoying together as a family.

Gabby, upset about her dad's dementia, is going off the rails. Laurel catches her bunking off school, drinking at home with Liv and some lads from school.

Jimmy and Bob visit Laurel having been given a telling off by her dad Doug for not visiting Ashley.

Having planned a family trip away, it's a weight off Laurel's mind when Jimmy and Bob tell her they'll visit Ashley while they're gone.Watch Emmerdale from Mon 13 March on ITV.

It's a sad day as Laurel says goodbye to her beloved hubby Ashley as he goes into full-time care in Emmerdale

It's the moment she's been dreading: unable to cope with dementia-sufferer Ashley's care any longer, Laurel braces herself as her other half leaves the family home and goes into a home in Emmerdale.

Poor Laurel is beside herself and racked with guilt even though she knows it's the only viable option and is best for everyone concerned.

How will Ashley fare in his new surroundings and how will the family cope with him no longer living under their roof?

It's a sad day as Ashley finally leaves home to move into residential care...

It's a sad day as Ashley finally leaves home to move into residential care...

Earlier, a heavy-hearted Laurel finds it tough as she sets to work, packing up the belongings that Ashley will need.

To make matters worse, her hubby has no memory of where he's going or why he's moving out.

When the family arrive at the home, Gabby and Sandy are feeling emotional and Laurel's struggling.

She feels terrible and is wracked with guilt even though deep down she knows it's the best thing.

The former vicar looks around and takes in his new surroundings.

A forlorn Laurel is hit hard with the enormity of the situation. Her beloved Ashley is never coming back.

What will he make of his new environment?

He seems to be completely unfazed, but what's really going on inside his head?

As Ashley prepares to spend his first night in the residential home, back at Mulberry Cottage, Laurel is beside herself. Has she made the right decision? Is Ashley going to be OK? And how will the family cope with their beloved husband, dad and son no longer living under their roof? Watch Emmerdale on ITV from Monday, February 6

Laurel can’t look after Ashley any more - he needs full-time care in a home. But will such a move send recovering alcoholic Laurel back to the booze in Emmerdale?

Unable to care for Ashley at home any longer, Laurel moves him to a care home in Emmerdale.

“Laurel feels as if she is giving up on Ashley,” Charlotte Bellamy tells Soaplife. “She is torn, but looking after Ashley has become unbearable and she just can’t do it any more. She has got to prioritise herself and her children. Her dad has been gently trying to push her to do this and she realises that Ashley is now a danger to himself, her and the children. It is obvious now that he needs professional care.”

Has she talked about this with? “She has, but he goes round in circles and can’t remember. She has gone over it again and again, almost for herself really. It’s no use as he doesn’t remember any of it. He doesn’t understand and it’s awful. Packing up his stuff reminds her of the old Ashley who was so capable and caring. It’s hard to believe that he has become this person who is almost like a child.”

What happens on Ashley’s last day at home? “It is such a big day for the family as they know that Ashley won’t be coming home – there is only one direction this is heading in. They want to make it a bit of an occasion for their own sakes as Ashley isn’t really aware of what is going on. At one point, he gets confused, thinks he is being thrown out of his home and lashes out.”

How does Laurel cope with that? “It is so tough. It makes you realise how hard it is for carers. After dinner, you see Ashley and Laurel go to bed and you realise what she has had to deal with every night. They are sleeping together for the last time in their bed and he turns the light back on and thinks he is going back to work.”

What is it like when she drops him off at the home? “The staff are very good at helping them and Ashley himself is unaware of the enormity of the situation. It is harder for Laurel who has to leave him there.”

Were these scenes tough to film? “Yes, it gets harder as Ashley gets worse. John [Middleton, who plays Ashley] is now playing someone who is not making sense any more. The character of Ashley is diminishing before our eyes. It is tough because I know he is going to be leaving soon.”

Where does Laurel go from here? “There is a lot to come that is quite shocking. Hopefully, her survival instincts will get her through this.”

Emmerdale, ITV

At Mulberry, it's getting increasingly difficult for Laurel to juggle all the balls: earning a living, keeping the house, raising the kids and looking after husband Ashley who has dementia

Laurel Thomas has done her best in Emmerdale. She's tried to do it all. But looking after the children and the family home and earning a living is one thing, but caring for her husband Ashley, who has dementia, on top of that is another.

The struggling mum is about to come unstuck when Ashley's carer calls in sick while she's out. With teenager Gabby at home minding Dotty, the poor girl is soon having to look after her poorly dad, too. The situation spirals out of control as young Gabby, understandably, fails to cope with it all, leaving Laurel forced to make a decision about what's best for Ashley and the family.

After Ashley's carer calls in sick, Laurel returns home to pandemonium.

After Ashley's carer calls in sick, Laurel returns home to pandemonium.

As the situation unfolds, Diane is worried for Laurel, who simply can't carry on like this.

Laurel panics when she learns Pollard found Ashley, who has dementia, roaming the village.

It's clear that something needs to be done to help the Thomases cope. But can Laurel let go?

Having had a go at looking after Ashley, and struggled, Doug knows the amount of stress his daughter is under. But with none of them wanting to see Ashley move into a care home, what will the family do?Watch Emmerdale on ITV from January 23 at 7pm

Emmerdale fans have called Tuesday's episode based around dementia sufferer Ashley Thomas an award-winner

Viewers have been lavishly praising both Emmerdale and actor John Middleton for the portrayal of dementia in a special one-off episode.

Tuesday night’s emotional programme followed a day in the life of long-running character Ashley Thomas, who has been battling with stroke-related early onset vascular dementia.

As viewers watched him struggle to understand his surroundings and recognise the people and places around him, they took to Twitter to show their appreciation of how the condition was shown.

Sadly, different forms of dementia are not uncommon, and viewers who have experience of dealing with its effects were first to congratulate the programme.

Another stroke makes Ashley’s dementia worse – and he finds himself alone on the streets. John Middleton tells Soaplife about some very different Emmerdale scenes…

Following another mini-stroke, Ashley Thomas is in hospital and his dementia worsens this Christmas. His memory is fragmented and, dazed, he wanders out of  hospital. What follows is a special episode to give viewers an idea of what it is like to be stricken with dementia. ‘He’s lost in his own world,’ actor John Middleton tells Soaplife. How bad is Ashley’s condition now? “He has moments that make sense, but they disappear. He has these times of absolute lucidity, which is torturous because he can then comprehend what is happening to him.” Has this story affected your opinion of dementia? “My awareness of it has grown tremendously. It’s a huge, huge problem. Nobody is sure why early onset Alzheimer’s is on the increase, although some cutting edge research suggests it could be to do with what we’re eating.” What can you tell us about this special episode? “It’s very experimental, but what we are trying to do is get into Ashley’s head and see how the world is for him. He is in an advanced state of confusion and keeps jumping in terms of where he thinks he is. It was a challenge to play.” The story will lead to your departure – how do you feel about that? “When our producer first came up with the idea, I said, ‘Let’s be brave about this, let’s tell the story and show its nastier aspects, its uglier and more embarrassing aspects’. I think the show is being very brave and, as an actor, this storyline is a gift.” How have viewers reacted to the story so far? “Hardly a day goes by when someone doesn’t come up to me and say, ‘Oh my auntie/uncle/grandmother etc has this condition’. It’s then that you realise the duty and responsibility we have to get the story right. It would be insulting if we didn’t.” Will Ashley die in 2017? “I can’t tell you. We are reaching a crisis point for Ashley and that could be it. Part of the intrigue of this story is that you don’t know what is going to happen.”

The confused vicar lashes out at his wife when he thinks she's cheating on him...

With Ashley's dementia getting worse by the day, Laurel is struggling to cope and things are about to take a serious downturn.

When Ashley sees Marlon comforting Laurel at the hospital, he's convinced the pair are having an affair and in the heat of the moment he angrily accuses his wife of being a cheat.

Laurel is beside herself and tries to explain to her confused husband, that he couldn't be more wrong,  but as Ashley continues to berate her, it's all too much for the broken mum.

Diane intervenes and offers to give Laurel a break but when Diane gets distracted, Ashley decides to take off his bandages and starts walking out of the hospital without any one noticing.

Where's he going? And will anyone come to his help before he comes to harm?

A confused Ashley yells at Laurel and accuses her of having an affair with Marlon...

Earlier on when Laurel is at the end of her tether, her friend Marlon is on hand to support her.

Earlier on when Laurel is at the end of her tether, her friend Marlon is on hand to support her.

Marlon's shocked by Ashley's rapid deterioration and reaches out to try and comfort Laurel.

But when Ashley seems the pair together he's convinced there's something going on and yells at his wife that she's a cheat.

It's the final straw for an exhausted and broken Laurel. Diane steps in saying she'll keep an eye on Ashley but while her back is turned, Ashley wanders off and makes his way out of the hospital!

As he gets out onto the busy streets he's confused as to what he's doing and where he is.

In a special episode viewers will see everything from Ashley's perspective, giving an insight into how life can be for someone with advanced dementia.

Will anyone from the public notice that Ashley seems lost and confused?

Thankfully Ashley is found safe and sound but his disappearance was a wake-up call for Laurel. She now knows there's no way she can go on caring for her husband at home.

He needs special care 24 hours a day. Gabby's not pleased when Laurel breaks the news and accuses her of giving up on Ashley. What is Laurel going to do next? Is the heartbroken wife and mum ready to let someone else care for her beloved husband? Watch Emmerdale on ITV from Monday 19 December.

There's panic when the troubled teen collapses after binge-drinking

When Laurel learns that Gabby's been skipping school because she's so worried about Ashley, she tells the teen she needs to stay positive and have some fun.

However, when Gabby cuts loose and starts drinking with Liv, mayhem ensues. The troubled teen is devastated when Liv posts a clip of her drunken antics on social media and later collapses in a sozzled state.

Laurel's beside herself as Gabby is rushed to hospital. Will Gabby be okay and how will confused dementia-sufferer, Ashley, react to this latest drama in the Thomas household?

A drunken Gabby suddenly collapses at home.

Earlier on Laurel tells Gabby not to take on the burden of her dad's declining health. She needs to go out and have some fun...

However Gabby overdoes it when she gets steaming drunk with Liv at the cricket pavillion.

Liv posts clips of Gabby's wild drunken behaviour on social media, but there's panic when the teen later collpases back at home.

A worried Ashley and Laurel call for an ambulance.

Ashley and Laurel wait anxiously for news.

But the pair soon begin bickering over the tension-filled situation.

As their argument escalates a confused Ashley lashes out and accidentally hits his wife.

A shocked Laurel nurses a split lip.

Meanwhile Ashley has no idea what he's just done but later has a moment of lucidity and feels terrible that he's hurt his wife.

Meanwhile Belle finds an upset Liv hiding and encourages her to delete the video of Gabby.

Will Liv listen?

After she's been discharged from hospital, Bernice comforts Gabby.

But she's fuming about the online video and decides Liv needs to be taught a very strong lesson. Who is Bernice going to call?

Later on Laurel struggles to cope when Ashley steps out infront of Diane's car.

It's clear Ashley's mental state has taken a serious turn for the worse.

With her family urging her to get professional care for Ashley, will Laurel be persuaded?

As she battles to cope not only with her young baby, but her confused husband, everything gets too much for Laurel.

Ashely's near miss with Diane's car is the final straw.What drastic measures will Laurel go to in order to keep her husband safe?Watch Emmerdale on ITV from Monday 5th December.

Emmerdale actress Charlotte Bellamy reveals how Laurel reaches breaking point as her ailing husband Ashley's condition worsens and Gabby starts playing up

Nobody would want to be Laurel Thomas in Emmerdale right now. She has a baby to care for, her husband, Ashley, is deteriorating rapidly and stepdaughter, Gabby (Rosie Bentham), is once again going off the rails.

The teen is so upset about her dad that she gets blind drunk, collapses and ends up in hospital. “The strain is enormous and Laurel feels out of her depth,” Charlotte Bellamy, who plays Laurel, tells Soaplife. “She needs help with Ashley, but she’s tormented by guilt about putting him into daycare.”

Is Laurel about to crack?

How is Laurel coping? "She didn’t know what to expect with Ashley and says, 'I didn’t know it would be this hard.' The reality is setting in. She has a baby and kids to look after, and she’s preoccupied with the business of being a mother, but Ashley also needs a lot of care and attention. It’s really tough."

What happens with Gabby? "Laurel gets a call to say she’s been playing truant. She has a talk with her and says Ashley’s illness isn’t her problem. She needs to let go a bit and enjoy being young and carefree, but Gabby misinterprets this and gets drunk. Liv [Isobel Steele] takes a video of her, which Tracy shows to Laurel, then Gabby ends up collapsing and being taken to hospital."

What else goes wrong? "She has this terrible day where the car doesn’t work, the children are ill and she has to take Ashley on the bus with her to visit Gabby in hospital. When they get to the hospital, Ashley’s confused and hits Laurel after arguing with her, so she ends up with this fat lip. She’s just trying to keep the family together, but it’s impossible. You just can’t do it when you’re trying to look after somebody with dementia."

Why does Laurel decide to take Ashley out of day care? "Because she’s tormented by guilt. It’s also hard for her to let go. She thinks if she lets Ashley go, he might never come home. She also worries that people will look at her and think, 'She can’t even look after her own husband'."

What happens when Sandy gives Laurel a break? "He offers to look after the kids and so she spends some time with Nicola [Nicola Wheeler]. But when she gets home, she finds Ashley outside the house in his pyjamas. Then, he nearly gets run over when he steps in front of Diane’s car. He’s just not safe any more."

What does she do next? "She lies to Ashley and tells him it’s time for bed when it’s not. She can’t think of what else to do. She’s desperate. At least if he’s in his room, he’ll be safe. It’s got to a point where she can’t take her eyes off him."

How much worse will it get for Laurel? "Ashley’s condition is only going to worsen. We’ll have to wait and see how she copes. But from our research, I’ve seen that dementia can rip a family part or it can pull people together. Families can get through this however awful the outcome might be. We all know Ashley actor John Middleton is leaving so, ultimately, it’s going to be awful."

Emmerdale, ITV

Emmerdale has announced it is making a special episode featuring Ashley Thomas to give viewers an insight into living with dementia

Emmerdale has revealed it is currently filming a special episode of the show in which viewers will see the world from the perspective of dementia sufferer Ashley Thomas (John Middleton).

Last year, viewers watched the emotional storyline unfold which saw former vicar Ashley diagnosed with stroke-related early onset vascular dementia.

Over recent months they have seen his condition steadily worsen.

Due to air in December, the one-off episode will, says Emmerdale, have a distinctively different feel to show Ashley’s confusion as he leaves the hospital and makes his way out onto the streets alone.

Explaining the concept behind this episode, Emmerdale boss Iain MacLeod says: “People living with dementia face challenges most of us can barely imagine. So, I took it as a challenge to help people picture this experience – to put them inside the mind of someone living with this condition.

“With this chapter of Ashley's story, we set out to give people an insight into how ordinary, day-to-day experiences can become disorientating and distressing when altered through the lens of dementia. Catching a bus, the apparently simple act of buying something in a shop, holding a conversation - all of these become tasks of Herculean scale.

“By telling the episode solely from Ashley's point of view and seeing things the way he sees them, I hope we're showing a side of dementia that is seldom represented on television.

“At its core, though, this has always been a love story between Ashley and his wife Laurel [Charlotte Bellamy], and this episode is a heart-breaking landmark in the evolution of their relationship."

The episode has been conceived and produced with support from both the Alzheimer’s Society and MHA (Methodist Homes), who have been working closely with the Emmerdale production team from the start of this storyline to give the most realistic depiction of Ashley’s dementia as it progresses.

Emmerdale, ITV

With witness Ashley having flashbacks about Emma's killer crime, she loses it at James's funeral, worried her deadly deed is about to be exposed…

When Emma's raging jealousy over James's betrayal boiled over, her crazed revenge plan ended in her making herself a murderess in Emmerdale and causing heartache for many…

Having been held hostage at home by Emma, James's bid for freedom led to his death when his unhinged fiancee shoved him off a footbridge, causing him to fall into traffic on the busy road below!

His body crashed through the windscreen of Ashley's car. As the stunned vicar, who survived virtually unscathed, took in the scene, he clocked Emma, wearing a wedding dress, standing on the bridge, looking horrified. But, with Ashley having vascular dementia, his recollection of the awful event is patchy, at best. Though James pulled through initially, he later died in hospital.

With the funeral looming, Emma's playing the grieving widow while trying to conceal her stress about her killer crime which could death and large-scale devastation. When Ashley starts having flashbacks about the dreadful day, the panicked nurse goes all out to shut him down.

After playing mind games with mentally-ill Ashley, Emma is at breaking point as the funeral takes place. Has she done enough to muddy Ashley's memory and keep him quiet?

When Ashley clocks Emma in the cafe, the sight of the secret killer jogs something in his mind…

Has the vicar remembered it was Emma he saw standing on the footbridge moments after James Barton plummeted from a great height on to his car?

Knowing Ashley could ruin her life altogether if his memory of the deadly incident returns, Emma sets out to make sure her killer secret stays safe.

In a bid to muddy Ashley's memory, killer Emma visits the vicar.

Over a cuppa, Emma tries to manipulate mentally-ill Ashley into thinking his mind is playing tricks on him.

When James' funeral takes place, Emma is shaky as she addresses the congregation, playing the grieving widow…

As she wonders whether she's done enough to silence Ashley, Emma wonders if James will take her killer crime with him to the grave…Watch Emmerdale on ITV form Monday, October 31

James is dead, killed by Emma in Emmerdale. And there’s only one witness: Ashley. Can Emma risk him never remembering that he saw her on the bridge James fell from?

There were a lot of anxious people at the hospital in Friday night’s Emmerdale, following the horrific pile-up in one of the soap’s most dramatic and devastating episodes ever. But no one was more worried than Emma (Gillian Kearney).

James (Bill Ward) wasn’t dead at first and she was freaking out, fearing he would wake up and tell everyone what she did.

But she couldn’t bring herself to kill him in his hospital bed.

Then she realised she has another problem…

Did you see the look on her face when Ashley (John Middleton) called out to her?

She was terrified that he was going to tell her that he saw her on the footbridge, where she pushed James to his death.

It was Ashley’s car that James’ body smashed into and, just before Ashley lost consciousness, he saw Emma…

Laurel (Charlotte Bellamy) found Ashley at the hospital, safe if not well and sat with him as the police questioned him.

“The windscreen cracked,” he told the officer. “Something fell from… Was there a bridge?”

“Yes,” he was told.

“What fell?” Laurel asked.

“Someone was up there,” Ashley continued.

“Can you describe them?” asked the officer.

And Ashley thought he could – but he couldn’t.

Then Ashley saw Emma at the hospital…and she saw him.

But he didn’t say anything. He’s having flashbacks but because of his dementia his mind is too unstable to keep the memories in place long enough to say exactly what he saw.

And then James died. It was him that the villagers were mourning in those funeral shots Emmerdale teased viewers with during the week.

Emma was devastated. But, remember, she’s also crazy.

What if she decides she can’t risk Ashley remembering everything he saw on that footbridge and then telling someone?

We think the tension could be almost unbearable over the next few weeks and we worry that Emma will make sure Ashley has a Christmas lacking any comfort or joy – and that he doesn't see in the New Year.

Emmerdale, ITV.

Star John Middleton explains that Ashley Thomas's failure to recognise his daughter is the beginning of what turns into carnage in Emmerdale

Alzheimer's sufferer Ashley Thomas does something which precipitates a disaster in Emmerdale, says John Middleton, who plays him.

Fans will be aware that at least one character will die in the devastation during Emmerdale's super soap week, in which four storylines get stand-alone episodes before they culminate in a massive episode on Thursday.

John told What's on TV that Ashley's awful disease is at the heart of the drama: "I don't want to give away too much, but Ashley does something he shouldn't that puts himself in danger and others in danger. It culminates in something, which I can't reveal, but is huge, a huge event involving numerous characters, each one of which is put in extreme danger."

Earlier, Ashley awakens in a confused state, but realises it's an important day without knowing exactly why.

"Then he begins to realise. he is reminded that it's Dotty's Christening," said John. "A huge day for him, but he keeps forgetting, he keeps going back upstairs and forgetting why he's there... and eventually Arthur helps him and writes a message on his hand to remind him, as does Laurel, and they make it to church."

He continued: "But the real moment of crisis is at the church. He suddenly doesn't know why he's there or who he's holding in his arms. When it's pointed out to him it's his daughter it's an absolute moment of crisis for him because for the first time he hasn't recognised one of his family.

"At that moment he's suddenly self-aware and aware how far he's deteriorated. It's a tragic moment for him."

Watch the interview with John Middleton, above, ahead of Emmerdale's epic week which begins Monday, October 17

Ashley Thomas can barely find his way around his own kitchen because of his dementia, so you can imagine his panic when Laurel suddenly goes into labour at home!

There was a time when Ashley would have relished handling a home birth. But that was before he developed dementia. So it’s panic stations when Ashley finds himself home alone with Laurel when she goes into labour, John Middleton reveals to Soaplife.

Ashley and Laurel have been doing quite well recently, haven’t they? “Yes. Things are not too bad. Ashley is fairly stable and hasn’t had a mini stroke for a while so everything is going along fairly swimmingly. They are coping and looking forward to this baby coming.”

But Laurel suggests he shouldn’t be at the birth, doesn’t she? “She says it because she worries that it might be too stressful for Ashley, but he responds by declaring, ‘I hope you are joking!’ He wants to be there as a father and a husband."

 And he is! “The first time Laurel goes into labour they go to the hospital, but are told that it’s a false alarm, so they go home. Ashley runs Laurel [Charlotte Bellamy] a bath and is shouting down about what sort of bubble bath she would like, blissfully unaware of the fact that her waters have broken. He finds her in the throes of labour.”

 And? “The contractions come quickly and Ashley really struggles to hold it together. He’s in a right state. To make matters worse, Laurel tells him she can’t hang on for the midwife. He goes to get some towels, but Laurel screams for him not to leave her, so he is there, encouraging her as the baby is born.”

 How do you feel about the fact that you’re leaving next year? “I am having fun, but it is the end of Ashley’s life, so it has got that sting in the tail. I am looking forward to some of the things we have got planned, but it is also tinged with huge sadness. I can’t imagine what it will be like on the other side of it. I will miss the daily interactions with the cast. I am hoping my friendships with Mark [Charnock, who plays Marlon] and Charlotte won’t stop, as we have a friendship outside of the show."

Emmerdale, ITV

Emmerdale dementia sufferer Ashley finds his parenting ability questioned after he forgets about injured Arthur at hospital. John Middleton explains to Soaplife the drama that ensues…

So, the trouble starts when Arthur cuts himself…

“Yes. Ashley has given himself a project to build this wonderful pirate ship. It’ll be somewhere the family can have an imaginary adventure. Sandy [Freddie Jones] has torn up the instructions and the person who has the best handle on it is Arthur. Ashley lets him use the saw under close supervision, but he’s distracted by Sandy and Arthur cuts himself.”

What happens next?

“Ashley calls a taxi and takes Arthur to the hospital. There’s nobody at reception, but Ashley leaves Arthur, who is in pain, to see if he can find somebody and in that moment he forgets where he is.”

He doesn’t know why he’s at the hospital?

“No. But then Laurel [Charlotte Bellamy] appears. She’s there to have the baby scan and Ashley then thinks he’s supposed to be meeting Laurel at the hospital for that.”

And no one realises Arthur is missing until Ashley returns home without him, right?

“Yes. Losing a child is the most dreadful thing any parent can imagine, but to forget you were ever with them is awful. Ashley feels incredibly guilty.”

Then a social worker turns up to assess him…

“Ashley is very apprehensive. He knows how these things work because of his pastoral work. He knows the reasons why people make decisions, like sending dementia patients to a home.”

How does he react to the questioning?

“He’s in denial. He tries to make out it was a one-off incident that will never happen again and that he is perfectly capable of looking after his own son. But the fact that his ability to parent is being questioned is devastating. As far Ashley is concerned, this is a brick in the wall.”

Emmerdale, ITV.

There's panic when Ashley returns home without Arthur...

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Ashley takes Arthur to hospital when he cuts his hand... but he forgets to bring him back!

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Earlier in the week, Sandy, Laurel and Harriet are touched when Ashley suggests naming the village hall in memory of Edna. But Sandy's still struggling with his loss...

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Ashley wants to lift Sandy out of his grief and suggests to his father that he helps him build a pirate ship for Arthur in the garden. Sandy's happy to muck in...

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...but as the three generations set to work, Ashley gets distracted and Arthur uses a saw and ends up cutting his hand badly

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Ashley's concerned that no one seems to be attending to them in A&E and he goes off in search of help...

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As he wanders off down the corridor he suddenly forgets where he is and why. Overwhelmed and confused he spots Laurel in the distance

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She's there for her baby scan so a relieved Ashley presumes that's why he must be there, too. Meanwhile, he's completely forgotten about Arthur...

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Laurel and Ashley return home after the scan and she's horrified when Sandy asks where Arthur is. Soon after a Pc turns up saying they've found the little chap...

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Ashley's mortified to realise he left Arthur at the hospital! So how will he and Laurel cope when social services get involved? Watch Emmerdale on ITV from Monday, May 9

The vicar is heartbroken to have to break some bad news...

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Ashley gets a call from the hospital to tell him Edna has passed away. Devastated by the news, at first he keeps it to himself...

EMMER%E2%80%93WEEK18%E2%80%93ASHLEY%E2%80%93THOMAS%E2%80%93LAUREL%E2%80%93THOMAS%E2%80%93SANDY%E2%80%93THOMAS02

...eventually he tells Laurel. Meanwhile Pearl and Harriet learn the sad news when Ashley and Laurel have to go and fetch Edna's beloved dog Tootsie...

EMMER%E2%80%93WEEK18%E2%80%93ASHLEY%E2%80%93THOMAS%E2%80%93LAUREL%E2%80%93THOMAS%E2%80%93SANDY%E2%80%93THOMAS03

...Sandy is distraught to hear the news and is furious with Ashley for not revealing how ill Edna had been....

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...Sandy blames Ashley for denying him the chance to say one final goodbye to his good pal Edna...

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...with emotions running high Sandy takes out his anger on Ashley

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Ashley explains he was only following Edna's wishes, but Sandy's not in the mood for listening... Watch Emmerdale on ITV from Monday, May 2

Emmerdale’s John Middleton has confirmed that his character’s devastating dementia storyline has been extended to give it its “due”.

Ashley will lose his battle with dementia but new boss Iain MacLeod has asked John to stay until next spring, as he wants to give Ashley's storyline "its due".

John told the Daily Star Sunday: “The storyline is going to be extended a little bit. That was the first thing I wanted to ask Iain MacLeod.

“I had a meeting with him and said, ‘Iain, I just need to know when I'm going, my agent's chomping at the bit’.

“Iain did say he wanted to get as many chapters, as he put it, out of it [the storyline] as he can. He also wants to give the story its due.”

Speaking about Ashley’s re-marriage to ex-wife Laurel (Charlotte Bellamy), John added: “What we're dealing with here is a love story where you know there is only one ending for Ashley and Laurel.”

Laurel and Ashleyon their bittersweet wedding day

John previously revealed he felt incredibly honoured producers chose him to portray such a hard-hitting and emotional storyline.

He said: “It's a big challenge, so it's not a very comfortable journey for an actor but it is an exciting one.

“I’m getting to explore things that you never normally do. I know it seems wrong but I'm actually thoroughly enjoying it.”

Emmerdale continues on ITV, Monday, April 18, 7.00pm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akvfsKjJXkY

Black Mirror actor Ashley Thomas has been chosen to star in a new series based on the 24 franchise – 24: Legacy.

The 31-year-old musician also known as Bashy, from Kensal Green, London, will play Isaac Carter, the older brother of Eric Carter, played by US actor Corey Hawkins – who played Dr Dre in Straight Outta Compton.

pic.twitter.com/0V8qPQOua4

— Ashley Thomas (@Bashy) March 10, 2016

The 20th Century Fox Television pilot produced by Howard Gordon (Homeland, 24), Manny Coto (24) and Evan Katz (24) will feature a new cast of characters replacing Kiefer Sutherland’s Jack Bauer, including Miranda Otto, Teddy Sears, Anna Diop and Jimmy Smits.

It will retain the 24 model of real-time storytelling with split screens and complex story lines, with each episode representing an hour of an eventful day.

According to Fox, “the project will revolve around a military hero’s return to the US and the trouble that follows him back – compelling him to ask CTU for help in saving his life, and stopping what potentially could be one of the largest-scale terror attacks on American soil”.

When Ashley accuses Laurel of drinking again it could be all over… instead it ends with wedding pplans for the Emmerdale favourites!

John Middleton explains to Soaplife how it happens.

Why does Ashley accuse Laurel of drinking again?

"He finds a plastic bottle filled with alcohol under the sofa. He is convinced it belongs to Laurel [Charlotte Bellamy], that she's gone back to drinking because of the pressure she's under."

Does he feel bad when he finds out the booze is his daughter, Gabby's (Rosie Bentham)?

"He really does. Laurel is appalled that he has come to this conclusion and he feels terrible afterwards. He thinks he has handled it badly. The dementia has caused him to lose any subtlety he used to have."

How does the marriage proposal come about?

"There is news about the baby and Ashley ends up hinting to Doug [Duncan Preston], who then begins to question Laurel about it. Instead she diverts her dad by saying ‘We are thinking of getting married’, which is a surprise to Ashley."

Does he want to marry Laurel again?

"Ashley has never stopped loving Laurel. The proposal is a happy accident and he is delighted. The more stability they have in their lives, the better."

What do you know about the challenges to come for Ashley due to his dementia ?

"I have done a lot of research, so I know there is a rocky road ahead, but I don’t know how rapidly the illness progresses, that is down to the writers. He could have catastrophic mini strokes or it might take longer than he anticipates."

Do you think Laurel can cope?

"She is quite capable of it. There is an inner steel there with Laurel, which occasionally shocks Ashley."

How will it affect Gabby?

"I wouldn’t be surprised if she went off the rails because she's a young teenager having to face the fact her father is going to die and the process is going to be horrible. There is a possibility that he won’t even recognise her at the end."

What kind of response have you had from viewers?

"I have lots of people coming up to me and saying my aunt, my husband, my mother, etc, has this. I have realised it is a much bigger problem than I first thought."

Emmerdale, ITV

Emmerdale’s vicar Ashley Thomas is devastated when a doctor tells him he has early onset vascular dementia, John Middleton tells Soaplife...

Ashley’s been worried about his memory lapses, hasn’t he??

“He’s really concerned. He suspects they’re not down to his epilepsy or the head trauma he suffered. His great fear is that it’s some form of dementia because, deep down, he feels that something is very wrong. His memory is worsening and he has been hiding it. He uses a notebook as a crutch and now he’s having to depend on it for everyday things.”

Then Bob finds his notebook…

“And Ashley ends up telling him what’s going on and actually it’s a relief to share it with somebody. Bob [Tony Audenshaw] then goes with Ashley to the hospital and is with him when he gets the diagnosis. Ashley wants to his illness a secret. He’s terrified. He thinks his life is over and feels it’s desperately unfair.”

What is vascular dementia?

“It’s stroke related and one of the forms of dementia that is least helped by drugs. It can be a rocky road as you can experience a steep decline all of a sudden – it doesn’t have a smooth progress like Alzheimer’s. In terms of telling a story, it’s the most dramatic form of the disease.”

Does this mean you’re leaving Emmerdale?

“Yes. It’s the best story I’ve been given in my life, but I knew that it would mean I would have to leave the show. It’s such a challenge. Every year, I think, ‘Should I go?’ It’s a bit like being a footballer… you should only leave your team when you’ve had a good season. Hopefully, this will be the best season of my life.”

Could Ashley decide to choose when he dies?

“That is a mighty issue because he is a man of God and suicide is a sin in the eyes of the church. However, Ashley’s father helped his mother to die. It’s a furious issue between him and Sandy [Freddie Jones], but I have seen scripts where there’s a change in Ashley’s attitude.”

There’s a change in his attitude to Harriet, too.

“He tries to dump Harriet [Katherine Dow Blyton] to ensure he won’t be a burden on her. She will have to watch Ashley disappear and he can’t abide the indignity of her having to care for him physically.”

Will he turn to Laurel (Charlotte Bellamy)?

“He’s more likely to tell her than Harriet.”

How long have you got left in the show?

“I’m contracted until the end of next year, beyond that I don’t know.”

Emmerdale, ITV.

Ever since Ashley Thomas was accidentally hit by Victoria's car on Emmerdale this summer, the village vicar's health has been on the downturn.

Ashley collapsed and was rushed to hospital, where he was later diagnosed with epilepsy. But Ashley's medical nightmare didn't end there, when his memory became muddled, causing all kinds of chaos.

Now, after taking a memory test, Ashley is about to receive some terrible news when he's referred to a hospital specialist. In a heartbreaking new storyline, Ashley will be diagnosed with Early Onset Vascular Dementia.

"It's the best storyline I've ever been given in my life as an actor," John told What's on TV. "When I was asked, I said to Emmerdale's producers, 'Let's do it!' But at the same time, I am aware of taking on the responsibility of a big storyline like this. It's not just a great story, it's an incredibly relevant story, and one which touches so many people."

Devastated by the diagnosis, Ashley must find the right time to tell his family the news. But can he bring himself to tell partner, Harriet, when their relationship has been going so well?

"As Ashley is a vicar, he will have visited homes where people have dementia," explained John. "He will know the full weight of what is going to happen and in particular what happens to the people who have to give up their lives to care for their loved ones. So he doesn't even know if that is fair to ask Harriet to do that. It's very difficult."

John recently confirmed he was leaving Emmerdale after 20 years.

Watch the interview with John Middleton, above. "]

Don't miss the heartbreaking scenes in Emmerdale on Thursday, November 19 on ITV.

Ashley gets the chance to be a vicar again - but it may cost him new love Harriet, Emmerdale’s John Middleton tells Soaplife…

Ashley’s fall from grace was spectacular, as he went from village vicar to burger flipper and, eventually, down-and-out on the streets. But when Harriet gets arrested for raiding police files in her search for Rachel, Ashley finally has the opportunity to take back the job he loves.

The Bishop wants to make him vicar again, but will he put the dog collar before his new relationship with Harriet? “He loves the job, but he’d sacrifice it for Harriet,” says John. “He’s smitten with her.”

What happens when the Bishop calls Ashley?

“The Bishop tells Ashley he wants him to take over if Harriet is no longer the vicar. This is all he’s wanted for the past four years and he’s not one to look a gift horse in the mouth. But he does know Harriet won’t get the job back if he takes it, no matter what.”

Then the villagers start a petition to keep Harriet as vicar…

“And Ashley’s quaking in his shoes because he hasn’t told Harriet [Katherine Dow Blyton] what the Bishop said and, if anybody asks him to sign the petition, he can’t. That’s crunch time. He’s forced to say to Harriet: ‘Look, it’s you or me’!”

And how does Harriet take that?

“She’s upset at first, but Ashley is prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice in terms of the job if it means he’s going to lose Harriet, and she overhears him talking about it. She’s very touched by that.”

How does he feel about being vicar again?

“Ashley sunk very low, so he couldn’t be happier to potentially be central to the village again, which is what he considers the vicar’s role to be."

Will Ashley’s downfall make him a better vicar?

“I think so. A lack of humility was one of his flaws, but now he’s been humbled. He knows to listen more and to be more understanding of people’s weaknesses.”

Will his relationship with Harriet last?

“I think it will continue for quite a bit now.”

Emmerdale, ITV. Click here for dates and times.

Emmerdale's Ashley Thomas may be about to have a new love in his life when he meets a lady called Carole, played by former ex Coronation Street actress Tracy Brabin.

Tracy said: “It is a total delight to be playing Carole back in my home town of Leeds. She’s funny and sexy with a dark secret. Ever since I played Trisha in Coronation Street, it’s been a personal and professional ambition to work with the wonderful actors and writers of Emmerdale. I hope the public take to Carole as much as I have.”

Carole enters Emmerdale village after Ashley is initially reluctant to introduce her to his friends, but vicar Harriet (Katherine Dow Blyton) stirs things up by texting Carole from Ashley’s phone.  

Carole soon arrives, but Harriet is put out when things go well for Ashley and Carole and she realises she is jealous.

Tracy played cleaner Tricia Armstrong, who had a baby with Terry Duckworth, in Coronation Street from 1994-1997. She'll make her Emmerdale debut on Wednesday, July 23.

Emmerdale's John Middleton reveals to Soaplife what it is that makes former vicar Ashley break one of God's golden rules: thou shalt not lie!

Ashley's tormenting himself over Sandy again, isn't he?

"Yes. He wishes he could do more for his father. Sandy's clearly not happy living with Laurel and Marlon and Ashley wishes he could afford to offer an alternative. In many ways he wishes his family was still together because then the problem would be solved. But he knows it can’t be and he knows it’s largely his own fault. So he feels terrible about it."

Ashley’s worried Sandy could be getting forgetful, too. How does Sandy react when he mentions it?

"Sandy’s furious. The implication is, of course, that Ashley - and Laurel and Marlon, too - think he's becoming senile. And he’s not at all. It makes Sandy think they view him as a burden."

And he comes up with a surprising suggestion, doesn't he?

"Sandy suggests that he goes to live in a care home. He reveals that he’s been going to Seth’s Hide just so that he has somewhere to call his own. When the hide burns down he says he'd prefer to take himself off somewhere else to live."

Does Ashley try to talk him out of it?

"Yes. Both he and Laurel do. It reminds Ashley of that desperate time in his life when he thought the only way he could hold on to his marriage was to get rid of Sandy and shuffle him off to a home."

Sandy is insistent, but Ashley doesn’t think Sandy will be given accommodation. Why not?

"As a former vicar, Ashley knows these kind of situations very well. He knows there’s a kind of points system. As Sandy's already in accommodation where he has his own room in a nice house and with a good family, so Ashley knows he won’t score many points with the local housing office."

So Ashley comes up with a drastic idea that could help: he lies!

"Ashley knows one of the things that will be flagged up in Sandy’s assessment is the fact that Ashley attacked Sandy and Ashley begins to think this could be the thing that swings it. In the meeting, Ashley hints that he has an uncontrollable side to him that could flare up and may involve him physically harming Sandy again."

It must hurt Ashley to lie like this...

"Ashley can see how unhappy Sandy is and wants to give his father at least a modicum of happiness. Ashley would do anything to achieve this - even sacrifice his own reputation."

Laurel and Ashley are proving to be quite hopeless at hanging on to family. Ashley lost Laurel, Sandy, Gabby and Arthur, then regained Gabby, but has now been forced to live with his ex, Bernice, to keep hold of her. Laurel left Ashley and had Gabby, Arthur and Sandy, but lost Gabby to Ashley and, more recently, to Bernice. Now Sandy tells Laurel and Ashley he wants to move into a retirement home. What?! He wept when that was suggested a year ago! Laurel's heartbroken, but Sandy's determined. He wants a place of his own.  

Brenda breaks Bob's heart. She's sure she has no future and she doesn't want to ruin his future so she tells him it won't work between them and dumps him. What?! Bob's stunned. Is this what the menopause does to women? He doesn't know that Brenda's behaviour isn't a result of crazy hormones, it's because of her brain tumour.

Paddy's in a panic because of his own incompetence. He promised Rhona he'd organise a birthday party for Vanessa and he's failed. But Marlon knows what friends are for and comes to Paddy's rescue. The surprise party is a wonderful surprise for Vanessa, but it's too much of a good time for Rhona, who falls and hurts her back.