ITV Share By Kerry Barrett Jul 15 2025 By Kerry Barrett Jul 15 2025 Ashley Thomas actor John Middleton back with new soap role Villainous Froggy Black is a world away from kind-hearted Ashley! Ashley Thomas Share By Kerry Barrett Jul 15 2025 By Kerry Barrett Jul 15 2025 Ashley Thomas is best remembered as Emmerdale’s caring, kindly vicar. He was Laurel’s husband and dad to Gabby, Arthur and Dotty. He’s still talked about on-screen often, with Gabby recently mentioning her dad, and many characters sharing fond memories of Ashley. John Middleton played Ashley Thomas in Emmerdale (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock) A well-loved character Ashley was played by actor John Middleton, who was in Emmerdale for an impressive 21 years. Though Ashley had his tough times, including a storyline involving him abusing his elderly father, Sandy, and more than one marriage break-up, he was a well-loved character in the show. John won acclaim for his portrayal of Ashley’s slow decline as a result of his vascular dementia and sad death. article continues below Read all the latest spoilers Meet Froggy Black! But now John’s taking on a very different soap role! He’s playing mob boss Fraser Black Senior, in Hollyoaks. Fraser is known as Froggy and despite the cute nickname, he’s a very bad man indeed. A world away from vicar Ashley! Froggy is the grandfather of Grace Black, Clare Devine, and Rex Gallagher, proving that his grandkids are definitely chips off the family block. Turning over a new leaf? Hollyoaks is already setting up Froggy’s arrival, introducing him as the top dog at Longmere Prison who’s been befriending Tom Cunningham while keeping tabs on grandson Rex. Froggy wants to ‘go straight’ and live out his life with his family around him. But when he gets some worrying news about Clare and Grace, he’s forced to step in! “From Vicar to villain is quite a leap but that’s why I love this part,” John Middleton said. “Froggy has a very dark history and he could reveal everyone’s murky past. He knows where all the bodies are buried; perhaps quite literally…” Dominic Power played Cameron Murray in Emmerdale and Dave Matthews in Hollyoaks (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock) Soap to soap John will join a host of actors who have appeared in Hollyoaks and Emmerdale. Currently, Sherrie Hewson, who played Lesley Meredith in Emmerdale, and Maureen Webster in Coronation Street, is currently on screen in Hollyoaks as murderous Martha Blake. Though she appears to be a harmless old lady, Martha secretly works with her son Jeremy to hide all his serial killings! Dominic Power, who played Emmerdale murderer Cameron Murray, played Dave Matthews in Hollyoaks until last year. And there are many other actors and actresses who have appeared in both soaps including Gemma Atkinson (AKA Carly Hope), Sheree Murphy (Tricia Dingle) and Anthony Quinlan (Pete Barton). We can’t wait to see John in his new role! Share Good to Know Share By Kerry Barrett Jul 15 2025 By Kerry Barrett Jul 15 2025
