Ashley Thomas

Infobox Emmerdale character 2


name=Ashley Thomas
portrayer=John Middleton
years=1996–
born=14 November 1961
death=
home=Mulberry Cottage
occupation=Priest
family=
spouse = Bernice Blackstock (2000–2003)
Laurel Potts (2005–)
father = Sandy Thomas
brothers = Luke Thomas
daughters =Gabby Thomas
sons = Arthur Doland
adoptivesons = Daniel Thomas
nieces = Jasmine Thomas
first = 5 December 1996
last =

Ashley Michael Thomas is a fictional character in the British soap opera "Emmerdale" played by John Middleton.

Overview

The character Ashley Thomas is vicar of Emmerdale. On his arrival in Emmerdale, he presided over the wedding of Linda Glover and Biff Fowler, only to conduct Linda’s brother Dave’s funeral just weeks later.

Relationship with Bernice Blackstock

After that, he began to develop feelings for the landlady of the "Woolpack" pub, Bernice Blackstock. Because she was engaged to another man, Gavin, Ashley tried to put his own feelings aside, but came to suspect that his rival's intentions were not honorable. Oblivious to his feelings for her, Bernice continued to confide in Ashley and sought comfort from him when she finally discovered Gavin in bed with a man (Jason Kirk), the cousin of local vet Paddy. But when, a few months later, Ashley finally plucked up the courage to tell Bernice how he felt, she rejected him.

Bernice's pregnancies

Nevertheless, Bernice’s feelings for Ashley were growing. Eventually the couple married in a Christmas Day ceremony in 2000. Bernice fell pregnant just over a month later and it seemed their vision of a happy family was about to become complete. However, Bernice miscarried and drifted away from her husband emotionally. She began having an affair with Woolpack chef, Carlos Diaz who was the fiancé of her half-sister Nicola Blackstock and fell pregnant again – without knowing who was the baby’s father. News of her affair was revealed at Nicola and Carlos’ wedding.

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

Relationship with Louise Appleton

In 2003 his luck seemed to change when he began a passionate romance with another Woolpack landlady, Louise Appleton. But while they enjoyed each other’s company Louise and Ashley were not in love and, after both nearly dying in a road accident, they parted amicably.

Relationship with Laurel Potts

Although Ashley had resolved to stay single, romance was brewing again. He had long been the object of cleaner Laurel Potts’ desires. When she announced she was moving abroad, Ashley chased her to the airport and declared his undying love. The relationship became serious almost immediately and, as Laurel prepared to spend some time in Tanzania doing volunteer work, Ashley proposed marriage. However, Ashley's bishop refused to give his blessing to the plans and Ashley resigned from his post.

Unable to live without his job, Ashley went back and told Laurel they would have to put off their wedding plans. The relationship was tested to breaking point as they struggled to convince the bishop, George Postlethwaite of the genuine nature of their love.

Meanwhile, Ashley’s curate, Ethan Blake, began to become closer to Laurel. When he finally confessed his feelings, Laurel turned him down but Ethan made it seem as if something had been going on between them. The truth came out, in front of the bishop who finally gave Laurel and Ashley permission to marry. George even conducted service himself.

On their wedding night, Ashley was horrified to find his father, Sandy, in their bed. Viewers discovered that the two characters had been on bad terms since Sandy committed euthanasia on Ashley's mother who was suffering from cancer. With Laurel’s help, father and son were reconciled.

After a fight between Daz Eden and Debbie Dingle in the vicarage, a fire was started and Ashley and Laurel's home was ruined.

Laurel's Pregnancy: Baby Daniel

In December 2006, Laurel discovered she was pregnant with Ashley's baby.

Laurel headed to the church to get some peace there, her waters broke and she went into labour in church, and couldn't get out because Emily Kirk had accidentally locked the entrance door, also Shadrach Dingle was in the church and he rang the church bells to alert help. Later on at Hotten General Hospital with her husband Ashley Thomas at her side, Laurel and Ashley became the proud parents of a baby boy, called Daniel.

Daniel's Death

On 21 February 2008, Laurel and Ashley were having dinner with her parents when Laurel went to check on her son and found he had been taken by cot death. Laurel went into a downward spiral and lashed out at her mother during the memorial service, driving her parents away. She also resented and blamed Ashley. When she snapped at Ashley's little daughter Gabby, Ashley accused her of blaming Gabby because she was still alive and Daniel was dead. Laurel moved in with Betty Eagleton. Greg Doland attempted to comfort her and she kissed him. Ashamed of her actions, she returned to Ashley and she and Greg swore no one would find out the truth.

Arthur

Laurels mother Hillary began to suspect the Doland baby actually belonged to Laurel and Ashley. When this proved to be true, Ashley decided to tell the Dolands the truth, which made them attempt to flee the country and when Ashley stopped them, for Mel to briefly run away with Arthur.

Through it all, Laurel refused to see Arthur as her son, as she felt that was a betrayal of Daniel, the baby she'd raised and loved. Ashley continued with the process of proving Arthur was theirs biologically and bringing him into their family. The tension between him and Laurel only got worse when she revealed she'd kissed Greg. Betty and Douglas begged her to support Ashley and to not turn her back on her son. Mel asked her to allow Arthur to stay with the parents who had raised him, and said she of all people knew what it was like for a child to be ripped away from its mother.

The day before the hearing to decide custody of Arthur, Ashley gave her an ultimatum -- either she attended, or he would leave her. After much thought, Laurel attended the hearing, and was shattered when she and Ashley were granted custody of Arthur.

Laurel then began to bond with Arthur, and is gradually making progress, Ashley and Laurel are also getting their marriage back on track.

External links

* [http://www.itv.com/page.asp?partid=3712 Ashley Thomas] at itv.com