Old page wikitext, before the edit (old_wikitext) | '{{Infobox soap character
|series=Emmerdale
|color=#99CCCC
|image1=Image:Ashley Thomas.jpg|
name=Ashley Thomas|
portrayer=[[John Middleton (actor)|John Middleton]]|
born=14 November 1959|
death=|
years=1996—|
home=[[List of residences in Emmerdale#Mulberry Cottage|Mulberry Cottage]]|
occupation=[[Vicar]]|
spouse = [[Bernice Thomas|Bernice Blackstock]] (ex-wife) (2000–2003)<br>[[Laurel Thomas|Laurel Potts]] (wife) (2005—)|
parents = [[Sandy Thomas]] (father)|
siblings = Luke Thomas (brother)|
children =[[Gabby Thomas]] (daughter)<br>[[List of recurring and minor Emmerdale characters#Arthur Thomas|Arthur Thomas]] (son)<br>[[Daniel Thomas]] (adoptive son)|
nieces/nephews = [[Jasmine Thomas]] (niece)|
first = 5 December 1996|
last =|
}}
'''Ashley Michael Thomas''' is a [[fictional character]] in the [[United Kingdom|British]] [[soap opera]] ''[[Emmerdale]]'' played by [[John Middleton (actor)|John Middleton]].
==Overview==
Ashley Thomas is [[vicar]] of Emmerdale. On his arrival, he presided over the wedding of [[Linda Glover]] and [[Biff Fowler]], only to conduct the funeral of Linda’s brother, Dave, just weeks later.
==Relationship with Bernice Blackstock==
Ashley soon began developing feelings for the landlady of the ''Woolpack'' [[pub]], [[Bernice Blackstock]]. He tried putting them aside as Bernice was engaged to Gavin, despite suspecting that Gavin's intentions weren't what they should be. Oblivious of his feelings for her, Bernice confided in Ashley and sought comfort from him when she caught Gavin in bed with [[Jason Kirk]], cousin of local vet [[Paddy Kirk|Paddy]]. A few months later, Ashley plucked up the courage to tell Bernice how he felt but she rejected him.
===Ashley and Bernice's marriage===
Nevertheless, Bernice’s feelings for Ashley were growing. Eventually, the couple married on Christmas Day, 2000. Bernice was soon pregnant but miscarried, causing her and Ashley drifting apart. He went away for work, not knowing how to support her, but she blamed him for abandoning her and began an affair with Woolpack chef, [[Carlos Diaz (Emmerdale)|Carlos Diaz]], despite him being engaged to her half-sister, [[Nicola Blackstock]]. Bernice got pregnant – but didn't know who the father was.
Carlos and Bernice's affair was revealed on his and Nicola's wedding day. Bernice insisted Nicola tell Carlos that she wasn't pregnant - she lied so he would stay with her. Angry, Carlos told her that he was sleeping with Bernice and possibly the father of her child. Angry and disgusted, Nicola rushed into the church and told the congregation what she had just learned.
Determined to keep his family together, Ashley - who was baby Gabrielle’s father - forgave Bernice but their marriage never recovered. Not wanting Ashley to feel he had to leave, Bernice took a job on a cruise liner.
===Relationship with Louise Appleton===
In 2003, his luck seemed to change when he began a passionate romance with another Woolpack landlady, [[Louise Appleton]]. While they enjoyed each other’s company, Louise and Ashley were not in love and, after nearly dying in a [[Major Storylines of Emmerdale#The Storm_2003|road accident]], they parted amicably.
==Relationship with Laurel Potts==
Although Ashley resolved to stay single, romance was brewing again. Laurel had had feelings for Ashley for some time but he never noticed her until she announced she was leaving. Ashley went after her and declared his feelings for her. The relationship soon became serious and, as Laurel prepared to leave for Tanzania to be a volunteer, Ashley proposed marriage. However, Ashley's [[bishop]] refused to give his blessing and Ashley resigned from his post.
Unable to live without his job, Ashley went back and told Laurel they had to put their wedding on hold. The relationship was tested to breaking point as they struggled to convince Bishop [[George Postlethwaite]] that they genuinely loved each other. Meanwhile, Ashley’s curate, [[Ethan Blake]], was developing feelings for Laurel himself. When he told Laurel, she explained that she loved Ashley but Ethan lied to George about Ashley and Laurel's relationship. The truth came out, in front of George, who finally allowed them to marry and conducted the service.
On their wedding night, Ashley was horrified to find his father, [[Sandy Thomas|Sandy]], in their bed. Ashley told Laurel that he and his father had been on bad terms since Sandy helped Ashley's mother die. With Laurel’s help, father and son were reconciled.
====Laurel's pregnancy====
In December 2006, Laurel discovered she was pregnant. Her pregnancy was uneventful apart from morning sickness interfering with her job as the cleaning products she used made her feel sick. So she and Betty started using more natural alternatives. After that, Laurel was able to keep working.
When she was approximately seven months gone, her parents were involved in a car crash. Her father was all right but her mother was in a coma so Laurel moved back to look after her father. After weeks of worry, her mother made a full recovery. When Hilary was back on her feet after being released from hospital, Laurel came home.
===Baby Daniel===
Now due any day, Laurel went to the church for some peace and discovered [[Shadrach Dingle]], helping himself to the communion wine. She told him off but her waters broke and they realised she was in labour. [[Emily Kirk]] had locked the door, thinking the church was empty, so Shadrach rang the bell for help. Later, at Hotten General Hospital, Laurel had a baby boy that she and Ashley named Daniel.
Laurel's parents, Doug and Hilary, visited - wanting to meet their new grandson. Hilary and Laurel had a heart-to-heart, discussing issues that went back years as Laurel told her mother that she was happy for her to stay but expected to be treated with more respect, now that she was a wife and mother herself. Hilary agreed and she and Doug stayed in the village.
===Daniel's death===
On 21 February 2008, Laurel, Ashley and her parents were having dinner when Laurel, taking washing upstairs, found Daniel wasn't breathing. When they realised that he was dead, Laurel became very angry and lashed out at everyone. When she snapped at Gabby, Ashley accused her of blaming Gabby for being alive while Daniel was dead. Laurel moved in with [[Betty Eagleton]]. [[Greg Doland]] tried to comfort her and she kissed him. Ashamed of her actions, she returned to Ashley and they did their best to work things out. She and Greg agreed to keep their kiss a secret.
===Arthur===
Laurel's mother, Hilary, began suspecting that Arthur Doland, not Daniel, was Laurel and Ashley's son. This started when she looked at Arthur and could see Laurel at the same age. Wanting to be sure, she compared photos of baby Laurel and Arthur - convincing her that Arthur was her grandson. Blood tests confirmed that Laurel could not be Daniel's mother and Ashley felt the Dolands had a right to know. Initially they dismissed what he was saying - thinking it was the grief talking - but when the hospital contacted them, they panicked. Scared they would lose their son, they tried going abroad but Ashley and Shadrach stopped them. Mel ran away with Arthur anyway but Greg Doland began having doubts. He went for a DNA test proved which proved he wasn't Arthur's father and bonded further with Laurel over stories and pictures of Daniel.
Laurel refused to believe Arthur was her son, feeling she was betraying Daniel. Ashley continued his quest to prove that Arthur was his and Laurel's son. The tension between them got worse when she revealed she'd kissed Greg. Betty and her parents begged her to support Ashley. Mel asked her not to take Arthur away, saying they could have as much input into his upbringing as they wanted, but Laurel couldn't. Ashley made it clear that he would raise his son himself, with or without her.
When Ashley and Laurel were granted custody, Laurel refused to have anything to do with him. Arthur, picking up on the tension, refused to eat and in desperation, Ashley asked Mel to help. Arthur gradually started eating again but Laurel wouldn't touch him until one day she thought her dad and Betty were watching him while she was upstairs. They slipped out, leaving Arthur alone so he started crying. Laurel investigated and found him alone. He was hungry so Laurel gave him a bottle and then, finally, started bonding with him.
The real turning point, however, was when Arthur became snuffly. Laurel panicked and rushed to hospital, demanding tests. When the doctor told Laurel that Arthur only had a cold, she demanded a second opinion. Mel, who had driven her and Arthur to hospital, tried to calm her, prompting the doctor to ask who was the child's mother. After a moment, Laurel said she was. That day, Laurel realised she couldn't ignore Arthur and Mel realised why the social workers had advised her and Greg not to have much contact with the Thomases. Mel and Greg left the village not long afterwards.
=====Music from the Arthur storyline=====
The Song used in the episode where Mel and Greg had to hand Arthur over to Ashley and Laurel's care was by [[All Angels]] and called "Singing You Through", taken from their 2007 album ''[[Into Paradise (All Angels album)|Into Paradise]]''
==Potential closure of church==
ITV has said that at Christmas Ashley will have to perform his last sermon in the church, before staging a Sit-In protest.
However newcomers to the village Natasha and Mark Wylde bought the church and their house which has allowed the church to remain open and Ashley and Laurel can stay in the village.
==External links==
*[http://www.itv.com/page.asp?partid=3712 Ashley Thomas] at [[itv.com]]
{{Emmerdale}}
{{EDThomas}}
{{EDBlackstock}}
{{EDLambert}}
{{EDPotts}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thomas, Ashley}}
[[Category:Emmerdale characters]]
[[Category:Fictional priests and priestesses]]' |
New page wikitext, after the edit (new_wikitext) | '{{Infobox soap character
|series=Emmerdale
|color=#99CCCC
|image1=Image:Ashley Thomas.jpg|
name=Ashley Thomas|
portrayer=[[John Middleton (actor)|John Middleton]]|
born=14 November 1959|
death=|
years=1996—|
home=[[List of residences in Emmerdale#Mulberry Cottage|Mulberry Cottage]]|
occupation=[[Vicar]]|
spouse = [[Bernice Thomas|Bernice Blackstock]] (ex-wife) (2000–2003)<br>[[Laurel Thomas|Laurel Potts]] (wife) (2005—)|
parents = [[Sandy Thomas]] (father)|
siblings = Luke Thomas (brother)|
children =[[Gabby Thomas]] (daughter)<br>[[List of recurring and minor Emmerdale characters#Arthur Thomas|Arthur Thomas]] (son)<br>[[Daniel Thomas]] (adoptive son)|
nieces/nephews = [[Jasmine Thomas]] (niece)|
first = 5 December 1996|
last =|
}}
'''Ashley Michael Thomas''' is a [[fictional character]] in the [[United Kingdom|British]] [[soap opera]] ''[[Emmerdale]]'' played by [[John Middleton (actor)|John Middleton]].
==Overview==
Ashley Thomas is [[vicar]] of Emmerdale. On his arrival, he presided over the wedding of [[Linda Glover]] and [[Biff Fowler]], only to conduct the funeral of Linda’s brother, Dave, just weeks later.
==Relationship with Bernice Blackstock==
Ashley soon began developing feelings for the landlady of the ''Woolpack'' [[pub]], [[Bernice Blackstock]]. He tried putting them aside as Bernice was engaged to Gavin, despite suspecting that Gavin's intentions weren't what they should be. Oblivious of his feelings for her, Bernice confided in Ashley and sought comfort from him when she caught Gavin in bed with [[Jason Kirk]], cousin of local vet [[Paddy Kirk|Paddy]]. A few months later, Ashley plucked up the courage to tell Bernice how he felt but she rejected him.
===Ashley and Bernice's marriage===
Nevertheless, Bernice’s feelings for Ashley were growing. Eventually, the couple married on Christmas Day, 2000. Bernice was soon pregnant but miscarried, causing her and Ashley drifting apart. He went away for work, not knowing how to support her, but she blamed him for abandoning her and began an affair with Woolpack chef, [[Carlos Diaz (Emmerdale)|Carlos Diaz]], despite him being engaged to her half-sister, [[Nicola Blackstock]]. Bernice got pregnant – but didn't know who the father was.
Carlos and Bernice's affair was revealed on his and Nicola's wedding day. Bernice insisted Nicola tell Carlos that she wasn't pregnant - she lied so he would stay with her. Angry, Carlos told her that he was sleeping with Bernice and possibly the father of her child. Angry and disgusted, Nicola rushed into the church and told the congregation what she had just learned.
Determined to keep his family together, Ashley - who was baby Gabrielle’s father - forgave Bernice but their marriage never recovered. Not wanting Ashley to feel he had to leave, Bernice took a job on a cruise liner.
===Relationship with Louise Appleton===
In 2003, his luck seemed to change when he began a passionate romance with another Woolpack landlady, [[Louise Appleton]]. While they enjoyed each other’s company, Louise and Ashley were not in love and, after nearly dying in a [[Major Storylines of Emmerdale#The Storm_2003|road accident]], they parted amicably.
==Relationship with Laurel Potts==
Although Ashley resolved to stay single, romance was brewing again. Laurel had had feelings for Ashley for some time but he never noticed her until she announced she was leaving. Ashley went after her and declared his feelings for her. The relationship soon became serious and, as Laurel prepared to leave for Tanzania to be a volunteer, Ashley proposed marriage. However, Ashley's [[bishop]] refused to give his blessing and Ashley resigned from his post.
Unable to live without his job, Ashley went back and told Laurel they had to put their wedding on hold. The relationship was tested to breaking point as they struggled to convince Bishop [[George Postlethwaite]] that they genuinely loved each other. Meanwhile, Ashley’s curate, [[Ethan Blake]], was developing feelings for Laurel himself. When he told Laurel, she explained that she loved Ashley but Ethan lied to George about Ashley and Laurel's relationship. The truth came out, in front of George, who finally allowed them to marry and conducted the service.
On their wedding night, Ashley was horrified to find his father, [[Sandy Thomas|Sandy]], in their bed. Ashley told Laurel that he and his father had been on bad terms since Sandy helped Ashley's mother die. With Laurel’s help, father and son were reconciled.
====Laurel's pregnancy====
In December 2006, Laurel discovered she was pregnant. Her pregnancy was uneventful apart from morning sickness interfering with her job as the cleaning products she used made her feel sick. So she and Betty started using more natural alternatives. After that, Laurel was able to keep working.
When she was approximately seven months gone, her parents were involved in a car crash. Her father was all right but her mother was in a coma so Laurel moved back to look after her father. After weeks of worry, her mother made a full recovery. When Hilary was back on her feet after being released from hospital, Laurel came home.
===Baby Daniel===
Now due any day, Laurel went to the church for some peace and discovered [[Shadrach Dingle]], helping himself to the communion wine. She told him off but her waters broke and they realised she was in labour. [[Emily Kirk]] had locked the door, thinking the church was empty, so Shadrach rang the bell for help. Later, at Hotten General Hospital, Laurel had a baby boy that she and Ashley named Daniel.
Laurel's parents, Doug and Hilary, visited - wanting to meet their new grandson. Hilary and Laurel had a heart-to-heart, discussing issues that went back years as Laurel told her mother that she was happy for her to stay but expected to be treated with more respect, now that she was a wife and mother herself. Hilary agreed and she and Doug stayed in the village.
===Daniel's death===
On 21 February 2008, Laurel, Ashley and her parents were having dinner when Laurel, taking washing upstairs, found Daniel wasn't breathing. When they realised that he was dead, Laurel became very angry and lashed out at everyone. When she snapped at Gabby, Ashley accused her of blaming Gabby for being alive while Daniel was dead. Laurel moved in with [[Betty Eagleton]]. [[Greg Doland]] tried to comfort her and she kissed him. Ashamed of her actions, she returned to Ashley and they did their best to work things out. She and Greg agreed to keep their kiss a secret.
===Arthur===
Laurel's mother, Hilary, began suspecting that Arthur Doland, not Daniel, was Laurel and Ashley's son. This started when she looked at Arthur and could see Laurel at the same age. Wanting to be sure, she compared photos of baby Laurel and Arthur - convincing her that Arthur was her grandson. Blood tests confirmed that Laurel could not be Daniel's mother and Ashley felt the Dolands had a right to know. Initially they dismissed what he was saying - thinking it was the grief talking - but when the hospital contacted them, they panicked. Scared they would lose their son, they tried going abroad but Ashley and Shadrach stopped them. Mel ran away with Arthur anyway but Greg Doland began having doubts. He went for a DNA test proved which proved he wasn't Arthur's father and bonded further with Laurel over stories and pictures of Daniel.
Laurel refused to believe Arthur was her son, feeling she was betraying Daniel. Ashley continued his quest to prove that Arthur was his and Laurel's son. The tension between them got worse when she revealed she'd kissed Greg. Betty and her parents begged her to support Ashley. Mel asked her not to take Arthur away, saying they could have as much input into his upbringing as they wanted, but Laurel couldn't. Ashley made it clear that he would raise his son himself, with or without her.
When Ashley and Laurel were granted custody, Laurel refused to have anything to do with him. Arthur, picking up on the tension, refused to eat and in desperation, Ashley asked Mel to help. Arthur gradually started eating again but Laurel wouldn't touch him until one day she thought her dad and Betty were watching him while she was upstairs. They slipped out, leaving Arthur alone so he started crying. Laurel investigated and found him alone. He was hungry so Laurel gave him a bottle and then, finally, started bonding with him.
The real turning point, however, was when Arthur became snuffly. Laurel panicked and rushed to hospital, demanding tests. When the doctor told Laurel that Arthur only had a cold, she demanded a second opinion. Mel, who had driven her and Arthur to hospital, tried to calm her, prompting the doctor to ask who was the child's mother. After a moment, Laurel said she was. That day, Laurel realised she couldn't ignore Arthur and Mel realised why the social workers had advised her and Greg not to have much contact with the Thomases. Mel and Greg left the village not long afterwards.
==Potential closure of church==
ITV has said that at Christmas Ashley will have to perform his last sermon in the church, before staging a Sit-In protest.
However newcomers to the village Natasha and Mark Wylde bought the church and their house which has allowed the church to remain open and Ashley and Laurel can stay in the village.
==External links==
*[http://www.itv.com/page.asp?partid=3712 Ashley Thomas] at [[itv.com]]
{{Emmerdale}}
{{EDThomas}}
{{EDBlackstock}}
{{EDLambert}}
{{EDPotts}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thomas, Ashley}}
[[Category:Emmerdale characters]]
[[Category:Fictional priests and priestesses]]' |
