{"id":42088,"date":"2025-06-26T19:10:44","date_gmt":"2025-06-26T18:10:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/?p=42088"},"modified":"2025-06-26T13:22:20","modified_gmt":"2025-06-26T12:22:20","slug":"ashley-thomas-emmerdale-vicar-gabby-dad-abuser-final-tragic-death","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/ashley-thomas-emmerdale-vicar-gabby-dad-abuser-final-tragic-death\/","title":{"rendered":" Ashley Thomas in Emmerdale: From beloved vicar to tragic decline \u2013 a look back at Gabby\u2019s dad\u2019s story"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Ashley Thomas in Emmerdale was the much-loved vicar of the village, dad to Gabby, Arthur and Dotty, and husband to Laurel. But he also had a dark side that is not so fondly remembered.<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle-1st\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>Ashley\u2019s diagnosis with early-onset vascular dementia in 2015 was a pivotal moment for the character. He knew he did not have long left and died in 2017 after 21 years on the soap.<\/p>\n<p>The memories of her dad and his dementia battle have clearly stayed with Gabby as she reveals to Paddy in Emmerdale on Thursday June 26.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s take a look at the life and times of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/tag\/ashley-thomas\/\">Ashley Thomas<\/a>.<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:min-h-[300px]\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"ad-slot1\"><\/div><\/div>\n<figure id=\"attachment_42135\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-42135\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-42135 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_10509362aa-1024x699.jpg\" alt=\"Gabby's dad was eventually revealed as Ashley in Emmerdale after Bernice gave birth (Credit: ITV\/Shutterstock)\" width=\"1024\" height=\"699\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_10509362aa-1024x699.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_10509362aa-1300x887.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_10509362aa-768x524.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_10509362aa-1536x1048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_10509362aa-180x123.jpg 180w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_10509362aa-96x66.jpg 96w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_10509362aa-512x349.jpg 512w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_10509362aa-192x131.jpg 192w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_10509362aa.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-42135\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Gabby\u2019s dad was eventually revealed as Ashley in Emmerdale after Bernice gave birth (Credit: ITV\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Ashley Thomas marries Bernice Blackstock and becomes Gabby\u2019s dad in Emmerdale<\/h2>\n<p>The vicar arrived in Emmerdale in December 1996. He officiated the wedding of Biff Fowler and Linda Glover at Christmas and spent the next year carrying out the funerals and weddings of many villagers.<\/p>\n<p>It was in 1999 that Ashley was thrust into a love story. He fell for<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/landlords-landladies-woolpack-emmerdale-amos-brearly-chas-charity-dingle-diane-sugden\/\"> Woolpack barmaid,<\/a> Bernice Blackstock, but she was engaged to Gavin Ferris. However he was the first of Bernice\u2019s love interests to turn out to be gay, and she ended up with Ashley after all.<\/p>\n<p>Devout churchgoer Edna Birch and the bishop both opposed the love match, but Ashley and Bernice carried on and they got married on Christmas Day.<\/p><section class=\"widget block-30 widget_block mb-4\"><div class=\"mb-3 stories-slider-container overflow-hidden w-[100%] max-sm:w-[108%] max-sm:ml-[-15px]\" data-items-visible=\"2\">\n  <h3 class=\"w-full text-center mb-5 uppercase\">article continues below<\/h3>  <div class=\"grid md:grid-cols-5 grid-cols-6\">\n          <a class=\"!no-underline col-span-4 mr-5 cursor-pointer mb-3 hover:!bg-[var(--color-v-white)] hover:!text-[var(--color-v-primary)] block [-webkit-tap-highlight-color:transparent] uppercase\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/category\/spoilers\/\">\n        <h2 class=\"font-[var(--font-v-font)] text-[var(--color-v-primary)] font-bold !text-2xl flex flex-row place-content-baseline !mb-0 max-sm:ml-[10px]\">\n          <span class=\"flex-initial mr-2 transition-all duration-300 hover:-translate-y-1 ease-in-out !leading-[var(--title-line-height)]\">Read all the latest spoilers<\/span>\n          <span class=\"mt-auto mb-2 self-baseline h-1 bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] block w-[100%] flex-1\"><\/span>\n        <\/h2>\n      <\/a>\n    \n\n\n\n\n    \n    <div class=\"rounded-tl-xl md:rounded-tr-xl bg-[var(--color-v-footer)] flex flex-row gap-4 md:col-span-1 col-span-2 justify-center pt-2\">\n      <button class=\"prev-btn h-8 w-8 rounded-full bg-[var(--color-v-white)] hover:bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] hover:text-[var(--color-v-white)] items-center justify-center text-sm transition delay-50 duration-100 cursor-pointer\" href=\"#\" alt=\"right\">\n        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"w-5 h-5 justify-self-center inline\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"3\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M15 19l-7-7 7-7\"><\/path><\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n      <button class=\"next-btn h-8 w-8 rounded-full bg-[var(--color-v-white)] hover:bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] hover:text-[var(--color-v-white)] font-bold items-center justify-center transition delay-50 duration-100 cursor-pointer \" href=\"#\" alt=\"left\">\n        <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"w-5 h-5 justify-self-center inline\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"3\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" d=\"M9 5l7 7-7 7\"><\/path><\/svg>\n      <\/button>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  \n  \n  <div class=\"px-[10px] bg-[var(--color-v-footer)] rounded-none md:rounded-l-xl md:rounded-br-xl max-sm:pb-3\">\n    <div class=\"stories-slider-viewport group overflow-x-auto relative scroll-smooth\">\n      \n      <div class=\"invisible md:block slide\">\n        <img class=\"h-[250px]\" src=\"https:\/\/placehold.co\/1x250\" alt=\"placeholder\">\n      <\/div>\n      \n      <div class=\"stories-slider-track top-[10px] max-sm:h-[233px] absolute flex flex-row flex-nowrap transition-all duration-300 ease-in-out\">\n                              <div class=\"story-item flex-none slide\">\n              <div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:mpu-container dbxgas:hidden dbxgas:md:block dbxgas:mb-0!\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle-desktop\"><\/div><\/div>            <\/div>\n                    <div class=\" md:ml-3  w-[200px] max-sm:w-[180px] story-item flex-shrink-0\">\n            <a class=\"!no-underline relative h-[100%] block !text-[var(--color-v-text-gray)] hover:!text-[var(--color-v-primary)] transition delay-150 duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/spoilers\/cain-sets-out-hammer-revenge-robert-todd-wants-10k-from-charity\/\">\n              <div class=\"relative\">\n                <img class=\"rounded-xl !my-0 md:w-[200px] md:h-[133px] max-sm:w-[180px] max-sm:h-[120px] object-cover mb-3\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2026\/05\/News-split-2026-04-30T115615.768.jpg\" alt=\"Cain sets out with a hammer for revenge on Robert and Todd wants \u00a310k from Charity\">\n                                                   <span class=\"!text-[var(--color-v-white)] text-xs rounded-xl px-2 py-1 absolute bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] bottom-3 left-3\">May 11 - 15<\/span>                <\/div>\n              <h4 class=\"!font-semibold !text-sm md:!text-base !leading-[var(--title-line-height)] mt-2 max-sm:line-clamp-5 line-clamp-4 text-base font-semibold\">Cain sets out with a hammer for revenge on Robert and Todd wants \u00a310k from Charity<\/h4>\n              <span class=\"text-xs text-[var(--color-v-primary-dark)] align-baseline absolute bottom-2\">12 hours ago<\/span>\n            <\/a>\n          <\/div>\n                            <div class=\" ml-3  w-[200px] max-sm:w-[180px] story-item flex-shrink-0\">\n            <a class=\"!no-underline relative h-[100%] block !text-[var(--color-v-text-gray)] hover:!text-[var(--color-v-primary)] transition delay-150 duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/spoilers\/bear-could-blow-everything-as-he-takes-to-the-stand\/\">\n              <div class=\"relative\">\n                <img class=\"rounded-xl !my-0 md:w-[200px] md:h-[133px] max-sm:w-[180px] max-sm:h-[120px] object-cover mb-3\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2026\/05\/DATE-standard-2026-05-01T163329.213.jpg\" alt=\"Bear could blow everything as he takes to the stand\">\n                                                   <span class=\"!text-[var(--color-v-white)] text-xs rounded-xl px-2 py-1 absolute bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] bottom-3 left-3\"> Tue, May 5<\/span>                <\/div>\n              <h4 class=\"!font-semibold !text-sm md:!text-base !leading-[var(--title-line-height)] mt-2 max-sm:line-clamp-5 line-clamp-4 text-base font-semibold\">Bear could blow everything as he takes to the stand<\/h4>\n              <span class=\"text-xs text-[var(--color-v-primary-dark)] align-baseline absolute bottom-2\">23 hours ago<\/span>\n            <\/a>\n          <\/div>\n                            <div class=\" ml-3  w-[200px] max-sm:w-[180px] story-item flex-shrink-0\">\n            <a class=\"!no-underline relative h-[100%] block !text-[var(--color-v-text-gray)] hover:!text-[var(--color-v-primary)] transition delay-150 duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/spoilers\/paddy-bear-dylan-face-jury-on-trial\/\">\n              <div class=\"relative\">\n                <img class=\"rounded-xl !my-0 md:w-[200px] md:h-[133px] max-sm:w-[180px] max-sm:h-[120px] object-cover mb-3\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Emm-Banners-ExclusiveOp-Templates-11.jpg\" alt=\"Paddy, Bear and Dylan face the jury as they go on trial\">\n                                                   <span class=\"!text-[var(--color-v-white)] text-xs rounded-xl px-2 py-1 absolute bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] bottom-3 left-3\"> Mon, May 4<\/span>                <\/div>\n              <h4 class=\"!font-semibold !text-sm md:!text-base !leading-[var(--title-line-height)] mt-2 max-sm:line-clamp-5 line-clamp-4 text-base font-semibold\">Paddy, Bear and Dylan face the jury as they go on trial<\/h4>\n              <span class=\"text-xs text-[var(--color-v-primary-dark)] align-baseline absolute bottom-2\">4 days ago<\/span>\n            <\/a>\n          <\/div>\n                            <div class=\" ml-3  w-[200px] max-sm:w-[180px] story-item flex-shrink-0\">\n            <a class=\"!no-underline relative h-[100%] block !text-[var(--color-v-text-gray)] hover:!text-[var(--color-v-primary)] transition delay-150 duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/spoilers\/kevs-comeback-dawn-exit-return-sadie-king\/\">\n              <div class=\"relative\">\n                <img class=\"rounded-xl !my-0 md:w-[200px] md:h-[133px] max-sm:w-[180px] max-sm:h-[120px] object-cover mb-3\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2026\/04\/News-split-2026-04-10T172033.421.jpg\" alt=\"Kev's comeback, Dawn's exit and the 'return of Sadie King'\">\n                                                   <span class=\"!text-[var(--color-v-white)] text-xs rounded-xl px-2 py-1 absolute bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] bottom-3 left-3\">Upcoming<\/span>                <\/div>\n              <h4 class=\"!font-semibold !text-sm md:!text-base !leading-[var(--title-line-height)] mt-2 max-sm:line-clamp-5 line-clamp-4 text-base font-semibold\">Kev's comeback, Dawn's exit and the 'return of Sadie King'<\/h4>\n              <span class=\"text-xs text-[var(--color-v-primary-dark)] align-baseline absolute bottom-2\">4 days ago<\/span>\n            <\/a>\n          <\/div>\n                            <div class=\" ml-3  w-[200px] max-sm:w-[180px] story-item flex-shrink-0\">\n            <a class=\"!no-underline relative h-[100%] block !text-[var(--color-v-text-gray)] hover:!text-[var(--color-v-primary)] transition delay-150 duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/spoilers\/joe-exposes-dawn-big-secret-paddy-faces-his-last-night-village\/\">\n              <div class=\"relative\">\n                <img class=\"rounded-xl !my-0 md:w-[200px] md:h-[133px] max-sm:w-[180px] max-sm:h-[120px] object-cover mb-3\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DATE-split-2026-04-30T131946.383.jpg\" alt=\"Joe exposes Dawn's big secret and Paddy faces his last night in the village\">\n                                                   <span class=\"!text-[var(--color-v-white)] text-xs rounded-xl px-2 py-1 absolute bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] bottom-3 left-3\"> Fri, May 1<\/span>                <\/div>\n              <h4 class=\"!font-semibold !text-sm md:!text-base !leading-[var(--title-line-height)] mt-2 max-sm:line-clamp-5 line-clamp-4 text-base font-semibold\">Joe exposes Dawn's big secret and Paddy faces his last night in the village<\/h4>\n              <span class=\"text-xs text-[var(--color-v-primary-dark)] align-baseline absolute bottom-2\">5 days ago<\/span>\n            <\/a>\n          <\/div>\n                            <div class=\" ml-3  w-[200px] max-sm:w-[180px] story-item flex-shrink-0\">\n            <a class=\"!no-underline relative h-[100%] block !text-[var(--color-v-text-gray)] hover:!text-[var(--color-v-primary)] transition delay-150 duration-150 ease-in-out\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/spoilers\/moira-recruits-dawn-todd-beds-hope-bear\/\">\n              <div class=\"relative\">\n                <img class=\"rounded-xl !my-0 md:w-[200px] md:h-[133px] max-sm:w-[180px] max-sm:h-[120px] object-cover mb-3\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Fan-theory-Split-36.jpg\" alt=\"Moira recruits Dawn, Todd beds in and hope for Bear\">\n                                                   <span class=\"!text-[var(--color-v-white)] text-xs rounded-xl px-2 py-1 absolute bg-[var(--color-v-primary)] bottom-3 left-3\"> Thu, Apr 30<\/span>                <\/div>\n              <h4 class=\"!font-semibold !text-sm md:!text-base !leading-[var(--title-line-height)] mt-2 max-sm:line-clamp-5 line-clamp-4 text-base font-semibold\">Moira recruits Dawn, Todd beds in and hope for Bear<\/h4>\n              <span class=\"text-xs text-[var(--color-v-primary-dark)] align-baseline absolute bottom-2\">6 days ago<\/span>\n            <\/a>\n          <\/div>\n              <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"story-item mx-auto flex-none md:hidden sm:block w-[300px]\">\n    <div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden dbxgas:mb-0!\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle-mpu\"><\/div><\/div>    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div><div data-ad-slot=\"ad-slot2\"><\/div>\n<p>Bernice fell pregnant, but sadly miscarried and lashed out at Ashley in her grief. Unable to support her, Ashley took a job working away \u2013 nice. Feeling abandoned, Bernice started an affair with Carlos Diaz \u2013 who was engaged to her sister, Nicola!<\/p><div class=\"my-5 boxout\"><div><h2 class=\"!text-2xl p-3 !my-0 bg-[var(--color-v-primary)]\">Don't miss a single story! Add us as a Preferred Source in Google for all your Emmerdale news<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"p-3 bg-[var(--color-v-primary)]\/50 text-base\">It's important to us that you never miss our articles when searching for stories! We have all the latest TV news &amp; schedules to share with our community of loyal readers.\r\n\r\nClick\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tvguide.co.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q%3Dtvguide.co.uk&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1771925084739000&amp;usg=AOvVaw26YBpjtwUOaDOV8IYgQAmD\" data-track=\"preferred-source\" data-placement=\"article_body\"><b>here<\/b><\/a>\u00a0and tick\u00a0<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/tvguide.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=http:\/\/tvguide.co.uk\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1771925084739000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3Uu9xte1Ig7bDiZNlkPjpu\">TVGuide.co.uk<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.<\/div><\/div>\n<p>Bernice found she was pregnant again, but didn\u2019t know who the father was. She eventually gave birth to Gabrielle on Christmas Day and a DNA test found Ashley to be Gabby\u2019s dad.<\/p>\n<p>Although Ashley was a natural father, Bernice struggled and developed post-natal depression. As their marriage crumbled, Bernice decided to leave the village \u2013 and Ashley and Gabby \u2013 behind for a new life on a cruise ship.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_42133\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-42133\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-42133 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_675151fy-1024x955.jpg\" alt=\"Ashley's true love turned out to be Laurel Potts (Credit: ITV\/Shutterstock)\" width=\"1024\" height=\"955\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_675151fy-1024x955.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_675151fy-1300x1213.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_675151fy-768x717.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_675151fy-1536x1433.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_675151fy-180x168.jpg 180w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_675151fy-96x90.jpg 96w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_675151fy-512x478.jpg 512w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_675151fy-192x179.jpg 192w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_675151fy.jpg 1551w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-42133\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ashley\u2019s true love turned out to be Laurel Potts (Credit: ITV\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Love for Louise and marriage to Laurel<\/h2>\n<p>Ashley soon developed feelings for Louise Appleton, but things soon fizzled out and they parted ways amicably.<\/p>\n<p>His next love was the big one: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/laurel-ashley-emmerdale-soulmates-tragic-end\/\">Laurel Potts. Ashley<\/a> found out Laurel was in love with him, but he initially rejected her. However, he soon realised he did feel the same when she decided to leave the village. Fortunately he confessed in time and they started a relationship.<\/p>\n<p>He proposed, but she left for Tanzania anyway (to cover actress Charlotte Bellamy\u2019s real-life maternity leave), however on her return they got engaged and were eventually married.<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<figure id=\"attachment_42127\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-42127\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-42127 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_866460hx-1024x657.jpg\" alt=\"There was devastation for Laurel when her baby died (Credit: ITV\/Shutterstock)\" width=\"1024\" height=\"657\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-42127\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">There was devastation for Laurel when her baby died (Credit: ITV\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Baby swap in Emmerdale<\/h2>\n<p>Laurel fell pregnant with Arthur and he was born in 2007. But a mix-up at the hospital meant they brought home the wrong baby, Daniel.<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>Tragedy struck when Daniel died from cot death. However it was soon revealed Daniel was the biological son of Melanie and Greg Doland and their child, Arthur, was still alive.<\/p>\n<p>A custody hearing saw Arthur returned to Laurel and Ashley, but Laurel struggled to bond with him.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_42128\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-42128\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-42128 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_3529991ln-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Sandy ended up being terrified of Ashley after he repeatedly abused him (Credit: ITV\/Shutterstock)\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-42128\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sandy ended up being terrified of Ashley after he repeatedly abused him (Credit: ITV\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<h2>Ashley abuses dad Sandy<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/classic-emmerdale\/classic-emmerdale-why-ashley-sandy-relationship-bad\/\">Ashley\u2019s dad, Sandy Thomas,<\/a> arrived in Emmerdale and it was clear there was issues between father and son. It turned out that when Ashley\u2019s mother, Dorothy, was terminally ill Sandy had helped her to die. God-loving Ashley couldn\u2019t get on board with this and cut his father off.<\/p>\n<p>Things were strained as Sandy moved in with the Thomas\u2019 and gradually they got worse. Ashley began physically abusing his dad in 2012.<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>Laurel caught him and demanded a divorce. By this time she was with Marlon Dingle and they went on to marry.<\/p>\n<p>Ashley was so ashamed he quit his job and became homeless. He was helped by Marlon and then started work as a barman at the Woolpack.<\/p>\n<p>Ashley eventually got his job back at the church and started a relationship with rival vicar <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/harriet-finch-emmerdale-vicar-police-katherine-dow-blytons-tears-death\/\">Harriet Finch<\/a>.<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<figure id=\"attachment_42131\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-42131\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-42131 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_8966054g-1024x698.jpg\" alt=\"Ashley often lost his temper when he got confused (Credit: ITV\/Shutterstock)\" width=\"1024\" height=\"698\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_8966054g-1024x698.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_8966054g-1300x886.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_8966054g-768x524.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_8966054g-1536x1047.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_8966054g-180x123.jpg 180w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_8966054g-96x65.jpg 96w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_8966054g-512x349.jpg 512w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_8966054g-192x131.jpg 192w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_8966054g.jpg 2008w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-42131\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ashley often lost his temper when he got confused (Credit: ITV\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Ashley\u2019s dementia diagnosis in Emmerdale<\/h2>\n<p>In 2015 Ashley was run over by Victoria Sugden and suffered multiple seizures. He was diagnosed with epilepsy, but then started losing his memory and was diagnosed with early-onset vascular dementia.<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>He told Laurel and his loved ones about his condition and he and Laurel decided to remarry. They even had another child together \u2013 Dotty \u2013 born in 2016.<\/p>\n<p>Ashley\u2019s dementia caused him to be involved in the Hotten Bypass crash in 2016 when he was driving, thinking he\u2019d forgotten his daughter\u2019s christening. He hit James Barton with his car when he didn\u2019t keep his eye on the road, but in fact James had been pushed by crazed wife <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.co.uk\/emmerdale-insider\/characters\/emma-barton-emmerdale-everything-we-know-about-years-spent-away-from-family\/\">Emma Barton.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Things continued to get worse for Ashley. He forgot who his wife was and by 2017 he had to be moved to a care home where he completely forgot who his family were.<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<figure id=\"attachment_42130\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-42130\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-42130 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_8268135am-1024x653.jpg\" alt=\"The vicar spent the remainder of his days in a care home before returning to the village to die (Credit: ITV\/Shutterstock)\" width=\"1024\" height=\"653\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_8268135am-1024x653.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_8268135am-1300x829.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_8268135am-768x490.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_8268135am-1536x979.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_8268135am-180x115.jpg 180w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_8268135am-96x61.jpg 96w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_8268135am-512x326.jpg 512w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_8268135am-192x122.jpg 192w, https:\/\/cdn.emmerdale-insider.com\/uploads\/2025\/06\/shutterstock_editorial_8268135am.jpg 2008w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-42130\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The vicar spent the remainder of his days in a care home before returning to the village to die (Credit: ITV\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Ashley Thomas dies in Emmerdale<\/h2>\n<p>By March of 2017, Ashley was diagnosed with pneumonia. Laurel and the family were told he only had days to live.\u00a0Ashley was brought home to spend the final moments of his life with his family and friends.<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>Regaining consciousness in early April to recognise Laurel one last time, he died peacefully in his sleep when Laurel went to get him another pillow. His favourite song, Teenage Kicks, by the Undertones was playing at the time.<\/p>\n<p>Gabby, Arthur, Bernice and Sandy then joined Laurel by Ashley\u2019s side, devastated by their loss.<\/p>\n<p>After the funeral Laurel fell asleep on the sofa. She woke up to find Ashley talking to her on the television. They recalled their moments together and said a final goodbye.<\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>And there was not a dry eye in the house.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5 boxout\">\n<div>\n<h2 class=\"!text-2xl p-3 !my-0 bg-[var(--color-v-primary)]\">Who played Ashley Thomas in Emmerdale?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"p-3 bg-[var(--color-v-primary)]\/50 text-base\">Ashley Thomas was played in Emmerdale by John Middleton. He played the role for 21 years, from 1996 until 2017.\n<p>Born on September 7, 1953, John is now 71 years old. He is married to Christine and they have two children together.<\/p>\n<h2>Coronation Street roles<\/h2>\n<p>John joined Emmerdale in 1996 and prior to that he also appeared in Coronation Street. Here he played John Hargreaves - the man who knocked down and killed Lisa Duckworth.<\/p>\n<p>Two years after this 1993 appearance, he played a hospital consultant in Corrie when Deirdre's husband Samir Rachid was attacked and killed by a gang of thugs.<\/p>\n<h2>John Middleton lands the role of Ashley Thomas in Emmerdale<\/h2>\n<p>He went on to play PC John Jarvis in Emmerdale before landing the role of Ashley in 1996. When he then left in 2017 John went under the radar for a while.<\/p>\n<p>John didn't appear on TV again until 2021, and it was in fact his last television role to date. He played Feargal Lumsden in Doctors. In this he once again was playing an elderly man with dementia who was put into a specialist care home by his daughter.<\/p>\n<p>John has mostly starred on stage since his exit from the Dales, however. He appeared in play Strangers on a Train after his initial exit. Then in 2024 he was in a touring production of My Fair Lady playing Colonel Pickering. Fans were shocked at his appearance for the role as he had to seem more rugged and unshaven, unlike clean-cut Ashley.<\/p>\n<h2>Could Ashley Thomas ever return to Emmerdale?<\/h2>\n<p>Ashley is of course unlikely to ever return as himself - unless he reappears as a ghost. But John did joke to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/tvandshowbiz\/4406848\/emmerdale-ashley-middleton-actor-john-middleton-may-return-twin-brother\/\">The Sun<\/a> that he could make a comeback in another form.<\/p>\n<p>Avid fans of the soap will know Ashley has a twin brother called Luke, who lives abroad and has never been seen on screen.<\/p>\n<p>John explained: \"There's no hint of Ashley coming back as a ghost but Ashley does have a twin brother called Luke, so that could happen.\"<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><b>Read more: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/emmerdale-insider.com\/2025\/01\/01\/whos-leaving-emmerdale-2025-complete-guide-departures-returns-new-arrivals\/\"><b>Who\u2019s leaving Emmerdale? All the cast exits, arrivals and returns<\/b><\/a><\/p><div class=\"dbxgas:ad-container dbxgas:double-mpu-container dbxgas:block dbxgas:md:hidden\"><div class=\"dbxgas:slot\" data-ad-slot=\"inarticle\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ashley had a long history in the village<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":249734177,"featured_media":42153,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"Ashley Thomas Emmerdale","_yoast_wpseo_title":"Ashley Thomas in Emmerdale: From beloved vicar to tragic decline \u2013 a look back at Gabby\u2019s dad\u2019s story","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Ashley Thomas in Emmerdale was the much-loved vicar of the village, Gabby's dad as well as Arthur and Dotty, and husband to 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