Emmerdale star Anthony Audenshaw tells Soaplife why cheating Bob Hope thinks his fiancée Brenda Walker is ill, not suspicious!

Laurel Thomas and Bob Hope's affair is over and Brenda Walker has got her man back, so it’s full steam ahead with wedding plans. But Bob is so worried about Brenda’s odd behaviour he confides in Laurel, says Anthony Audenshaw.

What's the story?

“Bob thinks Brenda's brain tumour might be back,” actor Anthony Audenshaw explained to Soaplife.  So he asks ex-lover Laurel Thomas for advice. Will Laurel tell him that Brenda knows about their affair?

What's happening in Emmerdale? See the latest soap storylines

Anthony Audenshaw's interview with Soaplife about Bob Hope's fears his fiancée Brenda's cancer is back…

Soaplife: How are things between Laurel and Bob?

Anthony Audenshaw: “Laurel doesn’t want anything to do with him, she won’t even talk to him. She is like ‘You know the rules, we don’t contact each other,’ so that’s it.”

S: Has he guessed that Brenda knows the truth?

AA: “No, she is hiding it well.”

S: Brenda is hiding something else, isn't she?

AA: “Brenda is really stressed, so Bob tells her to relax and go to the cafe while he sorts out the wedding invites and the food. He can’t find the guest list and Heath says it might be in Brenda’s secret cupboard. He opens it and all this random stuff falls out, bike helmets, hot water bottles, all sorts.”

S: What does Bob make of that?

AA: “He assumes Brenda is stealing again and the last time she did that was when she had the brain tumour. He thinks it is back. She has been distracted and keeps getting these headaches.”

S: Does he talk to Brenda about it?

AA: “He does, but she wafts him away and tells him not to be so silly.”

S: What prompts him to talk to Laurel about it?

AA: “Brenda gives Arthur money for a school trip and Laurel is angry and tries to give it back. Bob thinks it’s out of order, so he goes to see Laurel to apologise and mentions that he thinks Brenda’s cancer is back.”

S: Will Laurel tell him that Brenda knows about the affair?

AA: “Well, they are having this conversation and things might well get said.”

S: Why do you think Bob cheated on Brenda?

AA: “Bob genuinely loves Brenda, but they’re running a business and have kids to look after. All of a sudden, he got this bit of unexpected excitement in his life. He had that when he first met Viv and Brenda. He’s only human!”

Emmerdale’s Laurel Thomas is convinced Emma Barton murdered James and she aims to find proof. But Emma’s on to her… Charlotte Bellamy reveals all

While most of the village remains fooled by Emma Barton’s new holier-than-thou character, Laurel Thomas knows Emma's halo is badly tarnished. She’s sure Emma had a hand in James’s death and she’s determined to find out the truth.

“Laurel believes Emma killed James,” Charlotte Bellamy told Soaplife. “The trouble is, nobody else is convinced and she’s starting to look crazier than Emma! Just when Laurel thinks she has something on her, Emma gets out of it. She twists things to make it look as if Laurel is the mad and unreasonable one.”

So Laurel quizzes Emma’s son, Finn (Joe Gill), doesn’t she? “She tries to have a chat with him about Emma [Gillian Kearney] and James and why his mum behaved so oddly at the court hearing about James’s death. But, as they’re talking, Emma unexpectedly returns, so Laurel leaves.”

And goes to talk to Bob, right? “Yes. She tells Bob [Tony Audenshaw] about her suspicions and she hopes he’s on side. But she doesn’t realise that Emma is listening in!”

What does Emma do? “She turns up at Laurel’s and confronts her and Laurel is even more convinced of her guilt.”

What does Laurel do next? “She calls the police. She’s aware she hasn’t got any evidence, but she hopes Emma might crack.”

Will getting the police involved work? “Emma might just be too clever for that. And she believes she’s got God on her side! But Emma’s newfound religion turns out to be her weakness as the story progresses.”

Is Laurel afraid of Emma? “She’s starting to realise how dangerous Emma is.”

Will there be a catfight? “Laurel’s not a fighter, but she’s passionate, so this is certainly going to push her.”

Congratulations on your recent British Soap Award for Best Actress, too! “Thanks. You could probably tell from my face that I wasn’t expecting it. That night was something I’ll never forget.”

Emmerdale, ITV

After Laurel probes Finn for information on Emma Barton and his late dad James, Emma confronts the snooping single mum

Laurel is finding Emma Barton's behaviour more and more bizarre and is convinced there's something fishy about her newfound love for religion in Emmerdale.

She's been digging, trying to find a clue that will unlock the secret Emma's clearly hiding. Is Laurel about to find out Emma was behind James's fatal fall from the footbridge?

This week, suspicious Laurel makes progress as she pushes Finn to talk about his mum and late dad James. But while Laurel's chatting to Finn, Emma returns home from her prayer retreat!

Laurel is confronted by secret killer Emma after finding the widow interrogating Finn…

Laurel is confronted by secret killer Emma after finding the widow interrogating Finn…

Earlier, Laurel tries to get Finn talking about Emma and his late dad James.

But she's thrown when Emma returns home from her prayer retreat unexpectedly!

Laurel attempts to make light of their conversation, but Emma's not pleased.

Then Laurel's taken aback when Emma turns up at Mulberry!

Emma has overheard Laurel chatting to Bob about her…

Can Emma find a way to shut Laurel down?

Later, in spite of Emma's visit, Laurel hasn't given up and breaks into Dale View to ransack Emma's things. Will the suspicious widow find what she is looking for?Watch Emmerdale on ITV from Monday, July 31

Laurel wants to know what's got into Emma, unaware the nurse is trying to stop terrified Arthur from exposing her dark secret

When Emma found out Arthur had seen a recording of her shocking conversation with his late dad, which saw the nurse meddle with the vicar's memory of the day Emma pushed her husband James to his death, she knew she had to get shot of the evidence.

So far, she's whipped Arthur into such a panic that he's started wetting the bed, and now having struck a deal with the devil, the young lad is genuinely scared about what Emma will do if he tells his mum what's been going on.

But Laurel's not stupid and has started wondering why Emma has been acting so weirdly. When the mum confronts her, Emma feeds her a pack of lies. Will Arthur tell the truth about his torment when frustrated Laurel gets rid of Emma so she can question him, too?

Is Laurel about to uncover the truth from Arthur and Emma?

Is Laurel about to uncover the truth from Arthur and Emma?

Laurel is devastated when she learns Ashley's video recordings have been erased.

Wanting Arthur's side of the story, Laurel calls the lad down from his room.

Arthur starts talking and Emma is sent packing by Laurel for interrupting.Is Arthur about to expose clues which could lead Laurel to uncover Emma's killer secret?Watch Emmerdale on ITV from Monday, July 10

Emma sneaks into Mulberry to destroy the incriminating video footage of her chat with Ashley, but Laurel catches her in her home

Emma is on a desperate mission to destroy the video footage of her talk with Ashley, which saw her mess with the dementia stricken vicar's memory of her pushing James Barton to his death in Emmerdale.

Out on a walk with Laurel, scheming Emma feigns an injury and returns to the village. Sneaking into Mulberry, Emma gets to work trying to find the footage on the Thomases' laptop. When Laurel finds Emma in her home and on her computer, how will the devious nurse talk her way out of this one? Or is the game up for Emmerdale's secret killer?

Emma sneaks into Mulberry to destroy incriminating video footage of her manipulating Ashley's memory of her pushing James Barton to his death - and is caught by Laurel!

Emma is rummaging around in the Thomases' computer, trying to find the footage of her incriminating chat with Ashley.

When Laurel finds the nurse in her home and on her laptop, how will she talk her way out of the situation?

Later in the week, Emma intimidates Arthur who is threatening to tell his mum, Laurel, about the incriminating video.

When her son starts wetting the bed, Laurel approaches nurse Emma for advice and help with troubled Arthur - unaware that Emma is the problem! Will Laurel suss out what is going on under her nose?Watch Emmerdale on ITV from Monday, July 3

Marlon's plans to propose to Carly fade into the background as she grows close to her ex Matt.

With his planned proposal to Carly on the back-burner in Emmerdale, Marlon wonders if he'll ever make her his wife. Now that Carly's ex is in the village, Marlon doesn't seem to be getting a look in...

As the exes grow closer, their rapport is plain to be seen. Carly's taken aback when Matt leans in for a kiss and asks her to leave the village with him. Meanwhile, Marlon turns to his ex, Laurel. As he offloads his woes, Marlon ends up moving in for a snog!

Is all this leading towards a split for Marlon and Carly?

marlon

marlon

The former couple are easy in one another's company, which Marlon is well aware of

Marlon is out in the cold and is reduced to spying on Carly and Matt.

Matt asks Carly to come in with him on a money-making scheme…

Feeling as if Carly is slipping away from him, Marlon turns to his ex, Laurel, for support and ends up trying to kiss her!

Carly's stunned when Matt tries to kiss her and suggests they leave the village together, after confessing he's still in love with her!Will Carly leave Marlon and April behind?Watch Emmerdale on ITV from Monday, May 29

The Thomases lead the mourners as village vicar Ashley is laid to rest.

A sad day dawns in Emmerdale… it's time for Ashley's funeral. Laurel and the children are in pieces at the service. And vicar Harriet, who is leading the ceremony, is struggling as much as the Thomases. She once had a serious relationship with Ashley and still has deep feelings for him.

Later, Harriet is consoled by Cain. But when he pops by the church the next day, the vicar is humiliated to realise Cain's not there to check up on her, he's there to hide yet more stolen goods! Will furious Harriet shop the bad boy Dingle, who she's been kissing, to the police?

It's the day of Ashley's funeral and the Thomases lead the mourners.

It's the day of Ashley's funeral and the Thomases lead the mourners.

Arthur is struggling as he looks at his dad's coffin. Vicar Harriet is, too, having once had a serious relationship with Ashley before he remarried Laurel.

Cain's tenderness towards Harriet following the funeral is soon ruined…

… when she finds the bad boy in her church. He's not there to see her - he's there to hide stolen goods! Will Harriet shop him to the police?Watch Emmerdale on ITV from Monday, April 10

An anguished Laurel is numb with grief as she says goodbye to Ashley at his funeral. Emmerdale’s Charlotte Bellamy tells the sad story…

Laurel Thomas watched husband Ashley preside over many a Christening, wedding and funeral in the village church. Now she has to sit in the congregation and listen as friends and family say goodbye to the much-loved former vicar.

“She’s numb at Ashley’s funeral,” Charlotte Bellamy told Soaplife. “She’s trying to keep everything together at the moment. She wasn’t ready to lose Ashley so soon.”

Who’s supporting Laurel through this? “Her dad, Doug Potts [Duncan Preston], is always there for her. She couldn’t get through this without him. Of course, he knew things would end this way, which is why he was so against Laurel marrying Ashley again.”

What’s the funeral like? “There’s a good turn-out, which is no surprise because Ashley was a central figure in the village. It’s a beautiful service, a real celebration of Ashley’s life. But Laurel is too numb to take any of it in. It’s definitely a service Ashley would approve of.”

Where does Laurel go from here? “I have no idea. She’s battered and bruised. Who knows what her next journey will be? Laurel’s a mother, so her top priority is to look after the people she needs to. Her main focus now will be baby daughter Dotty and Ashley’s dad, Sandy [Freddie Jones].”

What was it like saying farewell to Ashley actor John Middleton? “We gave him a really good send-off. I’ve never been to a leaving do packed with so many people. It was extraordinary.”

Will you miss working with John? “Yes. But the soap machine carries on and, before you know it, you’re thinking about another story. It does feel very strange at the moment because we worked together so closely on the show.”

What did you think of the dementia storyline that led to Ashley’s death? “I felt really honoured to be part of it and I liked the fact that our producer, Iain MacLeod, pushed the boundaries of soap. John was amazing. He always plays the truth and, with him, less is always more. For me, it’s the end of a long road.”

Do you ever take your work home? “I can’t… I’m a mum! The other week, my husband was away and I had three kids at home. I go into mum mode as soon as I step in the door. I just get on with life.”

Do your kids watch Emmerdale? “No, they’d rather watch Ant and Dec! They don’t watch Emmerdale and they’re not bothered by it, which is how it should be.”

Emmerdale, 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

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.

Laurel talks to Gabby and Arthur about their father Ashley, who has dementia and is living in care, and his new close friendship with another woman

At Mulberry Cottage, a terribly hard conversation takes place. With Ashley no longer living with his family, as a result of his worsening dementia, Laurel and the kids are reeling and missing him like mad. Though Ashley is still alive and physically well, his mental state has deteriorated to the point where he no longer recognises Laurel – nor remembers he’s married. And worse still, he thinks it’s perfectly acceptable to be striking up a close friendship with fellow care home resident, Maggie. With Gabby and Arthur now privy to their dad’s bond with Maggie, Laurel has a serious chat with the kids about Ashley’s condition. Can she get the kids to understand their dad doesn’t mean to hurt them?

As Pierce and Vanessa’s bitter feud continues, the lawyer orchestrates it so the vet ‘accidentally’ sees the sex tape he and Rhona made. The vet’s aghast by the footage – but why did Pierce want Vanessa to watch it?

Lonely Jai talks to a journalist about Holly Barton’s struggle with drugs, knowing only too well how difficult addiction can be. Is he about to surrender his hard-earned sobriety?

Watch this clip from this episode;

Marlon kisses his ex-wife Laurel when he drops round to check in on her after she gets upset visiting her husband Ashley...

Laurel returns home to Emmerdale in bits after visiting Ashley in care. Her husband, who has dementia, has forgotten her. Knowing Laurel was worried about seeing Ashley, Marlon drops in to see how she is. When the chef sees his ex-wife is distraught, a comforting hug and words of support leads to more as the pair lock lips!

But Sandy walks in on them and is not impressed by his daughter-in-law's behaviour.

It's not just Laurel who's in a committed relationship though. Marlon has just asked his girfriend Carly to move in with him! Not wanting to keep secrets, Marlon confesses. Can he and Laurel convince Carly it was a mere moment of madness?

Having been to see Ashley in the care home, Laurel is devastated and informs Marlon her husband, who has dementia, no longer recognises her.

Having been to see Ashley in the care home, Laurel is devastated and informs Marlon her husband, who has dementia, no longer recognises her.

As the chef tries to find the words to cheer up his ex, a comforting hug leads to more and the pair end up kissing!

Not wanting to keep secrets, or lie to his girlfriend, Marlon sits Carly down for a talk.

How will Carly react when she learns her boyfriend has snogged his ex-wife?

At a party, Carly's nervous about coming face to face with 'love rival' Laurel.

Laurel has a frank chat with Carly at the party.

Can Laurel get Carly to believe that her kiss with Marlon was a moment of madness? Will Carly agree to move in with the chef?Watch Emmerdale on ITV from Mon, February 27

Laurel Thomas turns to Will for support on the anniversary of her baby son Daniel's death and Gabby thinks Will fancies her stepmum...

It's the anniversary of baby Daniel's death, but Laurel doesn't have the luxury of having Ashley to comfort her in Emmerdale.

With her dementia-stricken husband now living in full-time care, Laurel hasn't got Ashley for support as she grieves for their son, who died in 2008. Distraught, the mum is comforted by Will, who was Ashley's carer while the vicar was still living at home in Mulberry.

Later, Laurel's thrown when her stepdaughter Gabby suggests that Will has a crush on her… Is the teen right? Was it Will who sent the single mum flowers on Valentine's Day?

It's the anniversary of Daniel's death, Laurel and Ashley's baby son who died in 2008. But with Ashley now living in care, Laurel grieves without her husband…

It's a painful day to be alone and the troubled mum is distraught. She's grateful to have Will, Ashley's former carer, to talk to.

Laurel's taken aback when Gabby suggests that carer Will has a thing for her!

Laurel thinks it over and ends up wondering if Gabby's right. Did Will send Laurel those flowers she got on Valentine's Day?Watch Emmerdale on ITV from Monday, February 20

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

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

Laurel Thomas is back drinking and feels the only way she can stop is to leave Ashley and all the stress of her home life, as Emmerdale's Charlotte Bellamy explains

Laurel Thomas is back on the booze in Emmerdale and she decides to call time on her marriage! Charlotte Bellamy tells Soaplife why...

Why does Laurel (Charlotte) drink again? "Ashley [John Middleton] forgot she had a drink problem and poured her some wine – and it proved lethal. She wakes up with a hangover for the first time in ages. She’s pregnant and, worse still, she’s craving more booze. Once you’re an alcoholic, you will always be one.”

What happens to Laurel the morning after? “She feels really guilty that she drank a bottle of wine while pregnant. She makes out to Ashley that he drank the wine and she leaves the house. She doesn’t know where she’s going, but Marlon [Mark Charnock] sees her and he realises she’s drunk.”

What happens? “It’s all pretty ugly. She still wants to drink and, in a bid to get more wine, she tries to seduce Marlon and get him to join her with a glass. He cooks her breakfast, but then he tells her that he has to go to work. He says she can stay at his house and drink herself silly if she wants to. It’s her choice. He urges her not to drink anywhere else and he leaves her to it.”

What does she do? “She pours herself a glass of wine and she has to decide if she’s going to go down that road or not.”

Why does she question her future with Ashley? “She thinks she isn’t strong enough to do this. If she stays with Ashley, she believes she’ll start drinking again. If she leaves, she won’t, but she has to think of the children.”

What does she decide to do? “She decides she’s going to leave Ashley. He begs her to stay and Doug [Duncan Preston] also urges her to think again. Even though he was initially against her marriage, he explains she can’t give up on her wedding vows.”

What lies ahead for Laurel? “Emmerdale wants to show this isn’t all doom and gloom. There’ll be some lightness to the story. Ultimately, it’s a love story and, although it’s hard, there will be moments of inspiration.”

Emmerdale, ITV

There’s trouble and strife as Laurel again prepares to become Ashley’s wife, Emmerdale’s Charlotte Bellamy reveals to Soaplife…

How is Laurel feeling about the day?

“She’s happy. She knows things will be tough, but their wedding is the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s something really positive for her to cling to. They have a lot of history together and getting married now seems right. She wants everything to be perfect.”

So why is she keeping her pregnancy secret?

“She wants to make sure that everything is okay. She also doesn’t want her dad, Doug [Duncan Preston], to find out because she knows he’ll worry and think she’s taking on too much.”

He’s definitely against the wedding…

“Yes. He makes it clear he isn’t happy about it. He avoids Laurel and Ashley [John Middleton] and he doesn’t even bother showing up to the wedding rehearsal. Laurel sort of understands he’s only doing it because he cares about her. But when he admits that he thinks their wedding isn’t a good idea, she tells him, ‘If you can’t support me, I don’t want you there!’.”

How does he change her mind?

“Doug comes along to her hen do to try to make it up with her, but she pushes him out. He ends up reading his speech about her through the letterbox and she melts because it’s so heartfelt and lovely.”

Then Harriet guesses Laurel’s pregnant, doesn’t she?

“Yes and Laurel’s thrown. She feels she has to justify why they’re keeping the baby and she says the child is like a little miracle. She still feels kind of awkward with Harriet.”

So why is Harriet marrying them?

“On the hen night, the male vicar gets so drunk with the girls that he can’t get out of bed the next day and Harriet [Katherine Dow-Blyton] has to take over. Laurel doesn’t mind too much as she’s only thinking about Ashley.” 

How does the wedding go?

“It’s the most perfect, beautiful and wonderful wedding, but there’s a traumatic twist. We’re going to really show how living with dementia can be shocking, disruptive, frightening and disorientating. It’s the simple things you don’t even think about if you’re living with somebody with the condition.”

Watch the events leading up to Ashley and Laurel's big day in Emmerdale from Monday 14 March on ITV.

Emmerdale's Charlotte Bellamy explains to Soaplife how Laurel goes from getting ready to marry Marlon to kissing her ex, Ashley - and maybe not getting wed...

It looked as if Emmerdale's Laurel had found her soul mate in Marlon and together they appeared to be able to weather any storm - until Donna arrived and died. Although she loves Marlon dearly, Laurel is worried about how distracted he is and wondering if now is the time to be saying 'I do'. "Laurel knows that Marlon isn't in a great place and is starting to question their relationship," Charlotte tells Soaplife. And whether they should marry…

What is Laurel worried about?

"Laurel knows that Marlon isn't being himself and that something is missing. She doesn't feel like the most important person in Marlon's life any more and she should, especially on the eve of their wedding. His heart isn’t in it at all and he almost misses the wedding rehearsal because he is having a picnic with April."

So is Laurel feeling threatened by a dead woman?

"Yes, because Marlon's emotions and feelings are all aimed at Donna - it's almost as if Donna is still there. The Marlon that Laurel wanted to marry isn’t there any more. His heart doesn't seem to be in the wedding and Laurel feels like she is doing it all by herself."

Does Laurel believe Marlon (Mark Charnock) was in love with Donna?

"She doesn't know what to think. She knows that he did love her once and, at the moment, she is feeling very insecure about things. The fact that Marlon told lies about Donna’s illness hasn’t helped. Then she catches him watching a home movie of Donna. It is not what she wants to see and it troubles her."

So she turns to Ashley (John Middleton)…

"Laurel reaches out to Ashley and tells him that she doesn't know how she feels about Marlon any more. Ashley comforts her and offers her a shoulder to cry on and then she kisses him. She regrets it afterwards because it’s Marlon she loves and not Ashley."

What happens on the day of Laurel and Marlon’s wedding?

"She finds Marlon in the graveyard, at Donna’s grave, and that devastates her. The pair of them talk and she tells him that she kissed Ashley, while Marlon confesses that he kissed Donna. They can both see that those kisses meant nothing. But their relationship is falling apart and they don’t know how to fix it."

Does their heart-to-heart clear the air?

"In a way it does. They both understand each other a bit more afterwards."

Will they get married?

"You'll have to wait and see. They certainly have some struggles ahead of them. It will be interesting to see if they choose to continue together."

Emmerdale, ITV. Click here for dates and times.

Old faces are set to return to Emmerdale in 2014 - while Marlon Dingle and Laurel Thomas could be in for a rough time, it has been revealed.

Emmerdale's series producer Kate Oates said that she wanted to keep the identity of the characters and actors a surprise.

But she told the soap's website: "As well as the new faces in the village, there are some old faces returning.

"I don't want to tell you too much about that - I want you to watch it, I want you to enjoy it. I want you to enjoy the surprise."

Teasing about future plotlines, she suggested that Marlon (Mark Charnock) and Laurel's (Charlotte Bellamy) happiness, after they recently became engaged, will be shaken up by a 'blast from the past'.

"2014 does see a real challenge for them. There's going to be a bit of a blast from the past coming their way," she said.

"It's really going to shake things up for that character group, and Paddy (Dominic Brunt) and Rhona (Zoe Henry) with them."

Emmerdale’s Charlotte Bellamy explains to Soaplife why Laurel’s picked a tough battle to fight - and could lose big time!

Does Laurel regret attacking Ross?

“No. She wanted him to know how it felt when he carjacked her. She had children in the car at the time and it was awful.”

Why is she being done for assault?

“Because Laurel launched at Ross just as the police turned up. Now he’s taking her to court, knowing that she won’t be allowed to mention the carjacking. They can only talk about her attack on him. He has twisted it. He’s a nasty piece of work and you couldn’t find two characters who are more extreme.”

How does she find out she’s being prosecuted?

“Laurel and Marlon are having a lunch party to try to smooth things over with Paddy and Rhona. Marlon has hidden the letter as he doesn’t want to ruin the mood, but Laurel finds it. She’s horrified when she reads it.”

She faces up to three years in prison - but her solicitor advises her to twist her statement to get off lighter…

“She could do that, but she would be lying in court. She’s a moral person and wants to tell the truth. I would feel exactly the same in that situation.”

Is Marlon being supportive?

“Yes, he is, but he’s also frustrated because he can see where this is heading. Everyone is advising Laurel to look out for herself and do what she has to, but she is determined to go to court and tell the truth.”

What chance does Laurel have against Ross?

“Laurel is out of her league with Ross. He is a real baddie and has no morals. If she tries to take him on, she’ll just get into deeper and deeper trouble. Unfortunately, it looks as if he’s here to stay so things are not going to be easy for her.”

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.