ITV/Shutterstock Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google By Carena Crawford 18 Feb 2026, 19:02 By Carena Crawford 18 Feb 2026, 19:02 Like father like son? Fears Arthur’s attack on Laurel linked to Ashley’s domestic abuse Ashley was not squeaky clean Arthur Thomas Ashley Thomas Laurel Thomas Sandy Thomas Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google By Carena Crawford 18 Feb 2026, 19:02 By Carena Crawford 18 Feb 2026, 19:02 Arthur Thomas is very quickly going off the rails in Emmerdale and it is starting to remind us of his dad, Ashley Thomas, and his own anger issues. Next week Arthur will push mum Laurel and she will end up in hospital after hitting her head. Arthur feels guilty, but sticks to his story that he doesn’t know what happened. However this feels strangely reminiscent of when Arthur’s dad Ashley Thomas became violent with his own father. So is it a case of like father like son? Laurel is terrified of Arthur’s behaviour (Credit: ITV) Arthur lashes out at Laurel It comes after Arthur has been giving Laurel a hard time for weeks. He’s been slacking off his job in the Hide, refusing to find purpose and direction in his life and then having a go at her over her relationship with Ray. Before Ray died Arthur confronted him and stole his bag of drugs and money. When Laurel found out she went mad, harsh words were exchanged and she ended up hitting her son. article continues below Read all the latest spoilers Arthur hasn’t let her forget it. He has used it against her repeatedly, most recently threatening to tell everyone if she didn’t let him keep Ray’s money and travel to Australia. Fortunately, Laurel had the good sense to return the cash to Marlon and Rhona. But that just made Arthur even angrier. Next week yet another row results in Arthur pushing Laurel. She falls and hits her head on the stairs. Laurel is rushed to hospital, but will she be okay? And will she keep Arthur’s secret for him? Ashley abused his dad, Sandy (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock) Fans fear Arthur is turning into Ashley in Emmerdale Viewers have started to worry history is repeating itself and this is going to turn into a child abusing a parent storyline – much like when Ashley abused his dad, Sandy. “Arthur following in Ashley’s footsteps abusing a parent,” sighed one on social media. Another agreed: “Arthur turning violent on his mother, abuse storyline like Ashley with Sandy.” And a third also said: “It will be Arthur starting to abuse Laurel, so like parental abuse.” Laurel caught Ashley and ended Sandy’s ordeal (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock) What happened between Ashley and his dad Sandy in Emmerdale? Sandy Thomas arrived in Emmerdale in 2005 on the day of son Ashley’s wedding to Laurel. Retired sailor Sandy had a strained relationship with his son as years before he’d helped his terminally ill wife end her life. Sandy’s wife, and Ashley’s mum, Dorothy had cancer. Sandy helped her to die, with Ashley subsequently falling out with his dad over it because it went against his Christian beliefs. Ashley and Sandy eventually reconciled and after Ashley’s relationship with Laurel briefly ended, Sandy moved back in to the Vicarage to support his son. Ashley and Laurel reunited, but after discovering her affair with Marlon, Ashley took his anger out on his dad. One such time saw Sandy leave a tap running after painting with young Gabby and a colourful mess formed in the kitchen. Upon seeing the mess, Ashley lost his temper, causing Sandy to slip on the water and hurt his wrist. Ashley violently lashed out at Sandy on numerous other occasions before eventually being caught in the act. Laurel walked in and witnessed Ashley hitting his dad, bringing an end to Sandy’s ordeal. Sandy refused to give a statement to the police. However Ashley eventually confessed and was arrested and given a caution. He also resigned from his job and hit rock bottom when he found himself both unemployed and homeless. He managed to get his life back on track. However, it all came crashing down again when Ashley discovered he had vascular dementia in 2015. Sandy supported his son through his diagnosis up to his eventual death in 2017. Read more: Who’s leaving Emmerdale? All the cast exits, arrivals and returns Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google Good to Know Share Add as preferred source on Google Add as preferred source on Google By Carena Crawford 18 Feb 2026, 19:02 By Carena Crawford 18 Feb 2026, 19:02 Previous Story Next Story
