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Thread: Ashley Thomas (John Middleton)

  1. #81
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    I'm really hoping that Ashley has had only a mini-stroke (transient ischaemic attack (TIA)), with the memory loss symptoms lasting for only a short while.

    Memory seems to take place in at least two parts. First, the memory gets stored as it happens. Then, some time later such as when sleeping properly, it gets linked in to other memories. If the linking process doesn't work properly for whatever reason, it can mean that the memory just sits there alone in the brain just forgotten about until something triggers a link to it. Most people have maybe forgotten when they put something, only to remember where they put it later during a quiet moment when thinking about something else.

    I'm hoping that Ashley's memory loss is temporary for now and that when Ashley gets reminders of the past (such as when he sees photos of his recent wedding that Bob took of it) then Ashley will remember his wedding to Laurel and who she is, along with other memories from the past too, for now anyway.

    Further info about vascular dementia can be seen at www.alzheimers.org.uk

    What is vascular dementia?
    Alzheimer's Society
    https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/s...documentID=161

  2. #82
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    Long-serving Emmerdale star John Middleton isn't leaving the show just yet.

    Last year, the actor confirmed that he'll be leaving the show at the end of the emotional storyline that sees his character Ashley Thomas battle early onset dementia, but thanks to new boss Iain MacLeod, Ashley will now be around for a bit longer.

    "The storyline is going to be extended a little bit. That was the first thing I wanted to ask Iain MacLeod," Middleton told the Daily Star Sunday.

    "I had a meeting with him and said, 'Iain, I just need to know when I'm going, my agent's chomping at the bit'," he continued. "Iain did say he wanted to get as many chapters, as he put it, out of it as he can. He also wants to give the story its due."

    As a result, Middleton is expected to remain in Emmerdale through next spring until the storyline ends with Ashley's death.

    "What we're dealing with here is a love story where you know there is only one ending for Ashley and Laurel," he explained, before adding that he was proud of the show for raising awareness of dementia.

    Middleton has played the role of Ashley since 1996. Speaking last year, he outlined his reasoning for agreeing to the storyline, set up by former boss Kate Oates.

    "Every year I think, 'Should I go?' It's a bit like a footballer - you should only leave the team when you've had a good season. This, if I'm up to it, will provide me with the best season I've had in my life," he noted.

    Middleton has been nominated for Best Actor at this year's British Soap Awards.

    By Ian Sandwell, Digital Spy
    http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emme...tia-storyline/

  3. #83
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    Emmerdale's Ashley Thomas is left devastated next week as his parenting is called into question as a result of his dementia.

    Ashley and his wife Laurel (Charlotte Bellamy) will find themselves under investigation from social services after he unwittingly abandons their son Arthur at the hospital.

    The shock moment takes place after Ashley and Arthur team up with Sandy to build a pirate ship, hoping to spend some quality time together as Sandy is feeling lonely following the death of Edna Birch.

    Unfortunately, the day goes badly wrong when Arthur cuts himself with a saw and has to be rushed to hospital.

    Ashley becomes confused
    © ITV

    The stress and pressure of the situation soon becomes too much for Ashley and when he heads off to find someone in the building, he suddenly forgets why he is there in the first place.

    It's only later that Ashley realises Arthur is missing, but the damage is already done as police and social services get involved - deciding to investigate whether he's fit to look after his son.

    John Middleton, who plays Ashley, revealed: "When Ashley goes to the hospital with Arthur in a taxi, it's a great emergency. Arthur is in pain but he's trying to be brave.

    "Ashley goes to find somebody because there's nobody at the reception desk. In that moment, he forgets where he is and why he's there. A short while later, Laurel suddenly appears. It all makes sense to him - he must be there for Laurel's baby scan.

    "It's the most dreadful thing when Ashley realises what he's done. Any parent can imagine the pain of losing a child accidentally, but Ashley thinks that to just forget you were ever with them is unforgivable - despite his condition. He feels incredibly guilty."

    Ashley and Laurel are nervous about the social care visit
    © ITV
    Ashley struggles to keep his temper in check when he's forced to face a social worker the next day, which could make matters a whole lot worse for him.

    Middleton added: "Ashley is very apprehensive. He will know these processes intimately because of his pastoral work as a vicar. It's the first time they've had official influence. Obviously there's been a medical input, but this is the first time that social services have been involved.

    "I think Ashley is in denial about it. He's trying to say that it was just an accident. He's almost pretending that it's not going to happen again and he's capable of looking after his son. The fact that might be brought into question is devastating for him."

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  5. #84
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    Emmerdale producer Iain MacLeod has revealed that Ashley Thomas's condition will take a tragic turn for the worse in the autumn.

    Ashley was diagnosed with dementia late last year and the ITV soap is carefully exploring his slow deterioration in a long-running storyline.

    John Middleton, who plays Ashley, is staying with Emmerdale until at least early 2016 - but he has confirmed that the story will ultimately lead to his exit from the show.

    Speaking about the future of the plot, MacLeod revealed: "With Ashley, we wanted to be relatively gentle with the progression of his deterioration. I can't talk too specifically about timescales for any eventual deterioration and when it might become a clinical matter that Laurel can't deal with.

    "We wanted to show the more low level elements of what Ashley is experiencing before we get to the really big stuff. He's going to have a fairly significant downturn somewhere towards the end of the year - September or October time.

    "We wanted to take our time rather than go to the big, florid symptoms. We want to do the story justice, reflect all of the phases that anyone living with dementia will recognise, and do it in a non-soapy, straightforward way."

    Laurel announces that Gabby and Jacob can't see each other anymore

    MacLeod also addressed the future for Ashley's wife Laurel following the big reveal that she'll start drinking again next week.

    The recovering alcoholic is tempted by booze after problems with her rebellious stepdaughter Gabby, but the final straw for Laurel comes when Ashley forgetfully calls her by the name of his ex-partner Harriet Finch.

    Asked whether Laurel will have a long-term relapse, MacLeod replied: "It's not an addiction story for Laurel. It's not that she goes right back off at the deep end.

    "It's a means of us understanding the depth of the anxiety and anguish that she is feeling about Ashley. It propels her into making some fairly tough decisions about her relationship with Ashley, but it doesn't develop back into a full alcoholism storyline."

    Digital Spy

  6. #85
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    Poor Ashley. And I really hope Laurel doesn't go back to being an alcoholic - if Ashley's condition is going to get worse Gaby and Arthur will need her more than ever.

  7. #86
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    John Middleton has teased Laurel Thomas's upcoming birth scenes, saying they will be very dramatic.

    Ashley was diagnosed with dementia late last year, shortly before he reconciled with his ex-wife Laurel and they learned they were expecting a baby.

    Middleton, who plays Ashley, said to Inside Soap: "At the moment we are filming the birth of Laurel and Ashley's baby, which is very dramatic.

    "I would sum up the next few months for Ashley as being a tragic love story - but I can say no more than that, I am afraid."

    Discussing which characters he would like to see Ashley share more screen time with, the actor added: "I'd love to do more with Ashley and Dan, as they are such different characters.

    "And I have great admiration for Danny Miller [Aaron] - again, there is great potential there because of how different Aaron and Ashley are."

    The show's producer Iain MacLeod has previously revealed that Ashley Thomas's condition will take a tragic turn for the worse in the autumn.

  8. #87
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    Could Emmerdale's Ashley Thomas be leaving the show earlier than we all expected?

    We asked John Middleton that very question at the Inside Soap Awards last night (October 3) and he certainly wasn't ruling out a sudden death for his popular character.

    Ashley features in the show's new 'Last Dance' trailer, which confirms imminent doom for at least one regular character.

    It all ties in with an explosive week which launches on October 17 - and John has given us some brand new hints in the video chat above.

    "I can say that it's the most exciting filming that I've ever done anywhere," John promised. "I can also say that we've filmed it in a completely different way than we normally would do.

    "So it's going to look different, it's going to feel different and it's going to be hugely exciting."

    On whether this could be the moment that Ashley meets his fate, he replied: "Yeah, it could. It's unusual for me to be involved in any sort of stunt at all. It's not normally my gig. But this one I'm heavily involved in. So there's a hint!"

    You can watch John chat in full about the explosive week by hitting play on the video above - don't miss it!

    Emmerdale only killed off Holly Barton last week, but the brand new trailer lines up Ashley, Laurel, Robert, Aaron, Paddy, Rhona, Marlon, Pierce, James and Emma as potential victims of the next big tragedy.

    It's been no secret that Ashley is leaving Emmerdale at some point following his dementia diagnosis, but could it be that something else other than his illness ultimately claims his life? We'll find out in a fortnight's time...

    The Inside Soap Awards 2016 took place at the Hippodrome Casino in London on Monday night.

    Digital Spy

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  10. #88
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    It's very lazy writing if Ashley will go suddenly..I so wish they would show how horrible illness dementia is..

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  12. #89
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    Emmerdale fans will be given insight into the reality of living with dementia in a special upcoming episode.

    This December, viewers will be able to experience the world from Ashley Thomas's (John Middleton) eyes in a one-off special.

    It was only last year that it was revealed that the former vicar had early onset vascular dementia.

    The team behind Emmerdale are set to produce a realistic perspective on Ashley's dementia diagnosis and its progression, which viewers have seen steadily worsen over the past few months.

    The crew will recreate Ashley's perspective using specific cinematography techniques. They have been challenged to try and picture the disorientation and confusion the condition creates and how everyday experience can become distressing when seen through the lens of dementia.

    "People living with dementia face challenges most of us can barely imagine. So, I took it as a challenge to help people picture this experience – to put them inside the mind of someone living with this condition", said Emmerdale Series Producer, Iain MacLeod.

    Currently, the exact storyline of this one-off broadcast remains under wraps.

    He added: "At its core, though, this has always been a love story between Ashley and his wife Laurel, and this episode is a heart-breaking landmark in the evolution of their relationship."

    Theresa Knight, Media Relationships Manager for MHA revealed: "We have been closely involved with Emmerdale since the team contacted us wanting John to visit one of our care homes for people living with dementia.

    "Since then we have been involved in feeding back on scripts and storylines involving Ashley as his condition deteriorates.

    "We have been delighted as to how seriously the whole team at Emmerdale is taking the storyline and the lengths they are going to in their research.

    "We know from having had discussions about and given feedback on the episode from Ashley's viewpoint that it will be an exceptionally moving piece of drama."

    The special has been informed by and produced with the support of the Alzheimer's Society and MHA.

    Digital Spy

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  14. #90
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    John Middleton is doing amazing in this storyline so sad to watch though

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