Ashley Thomas (John Middleton)

[sarah c]

I dont think its a bleed, unless a small slow one, because he did have various scans at the time of the accident?

so I think it is epilepsy maybe with petit mal so little black outs he doesnt even realise he has had?

[Perdita]

I dont think its a bleed, unless a small slow one, because he did have various scans at the time of the accident?

so I think it is epilepsy maybe with petit mal so little black outs he doesnt even realise he has had?

Good to see he wants to get more tests done, so hopefully we will find out soon what is wrong

[sarah c]

Good to see he wants to get more tests done, so hopefully we will find out soon what is wrong

as long as he remembers to turn up for the appointment ;-)

[Telly Watcher]

I dont think its a bleed, unless a small slow one, because he did have various scans at the time of the accident?

so I think it is epilepsy maybe with petit mal so little black outs he doesnt even realise he has had?

Last night's script said it could be due to a medication side-effect, although I imagine that this was suggested during a short GP appointment in a busy surgery. As I can't think of any big storyline possibility for Ashley other than this issue, I suspect that his memory problems could be the start of something bigger (in the same way that Pete's anti-depressant prescription last night will lead to big things by Tuesday 15th).

These memory and brain issues are really odd things. I knew a 20yo girl who seemed completely normal during the daytime when I first met her, but when she was standing close by sometimes, I'd be talking to her, maybe look away for 5 seconds during the conversation and then look back, and she'd be staring into space and in another world, completely oblivious to anything around her. The first time I saw this happen I knew she had epilepsy, although she hadn't mentioned it. After about 10 seconds, she'd then flip back into the real world, I'd say she'd been staring into space and she'd matter-of-factly say "Sorry about that", and carry on talking and acting as normal. She later admitted that other people often told her she'd had these fugue states but she didn't always notice them herself until she was told about them. She also admitted that she had a full-blown fit most evenings when she was at home and would collapse shaking on the floor.

I hope Ashley's problems, whatever they are, aren't serious or long-term, although Emmerdale can go to dramatic extremes on some issues to make a point and increase viewer ratings.

[sarah c]

I thought Harriet said it was medication-based to not worry people into thinking it was something more?

just the impression I got

[tammyy2j]

Kate Oates has said that there is a long journey ahead for Ashley Thomas following the revelation that he may have dementia.

Ashley (John Middleton) was seen receiving the devastating news in the ITV soap's special 'rewind' episode, which took viewers back to the night of Robert Sugden's shooting four weeks ago.


When that fateful evening was first shown to viewers last month, Ashley was seen arriving late to his own birthday party.

Brand new scenes in the flashback explained this late appearance, as Ashley had been busy seeing a doctor who broke the news that he may have early onset dementia and referred him to a specialist.

Speaking about the emotional storyline for the first time, Oates commented: "I think this is going to be a really challenging story for us to tell. John and I have been talking about it for many, many months.

"Ashley has been suffering from epilepsy since his recent accident, as we wanted a bit of a red herring for the audience over what was causing his problems. The trouble with stories like this is that you can often see them coming. We wanted that not to be the case here, so this should hopefully be a really big surprise."


She added: "We have heaped more agony on Ashley, but it's because John is an awesome actor and will do the storyline amazing justice.

"We intend to give this storyline time to breathe. There'll be lots of twists and turns in it and lots of emotion. It should be a fantastic story and I'm very excited by it."

[maidmarian]

Kate Oates has said that there is a long journey ahead for Ashley Thomas following the revelation that he may have dementia.

Ashley (John Middleton) was seen receiving the devastating news in the ITV soap's special 'rewind' episode, which took viewers back to the night of Robert Sugden's shooting four weeks ago.


When that fateful evening was first shown to viewers last month, Ashley was seen arriving late to his own birthday party.

Brand new scenes in the flashback explained this late appearance, as Ashley had been busy seeing a doctor who broke the news that he may have early onset dementia and referred him to a specialist.

Speaking about the emotional storyline for the first time, Oates commented: "I think this is going to be a really challenging story for us to tell. John and I have been talking about it for many, many months.

"Ashley has been suffering from epilepsy since his recent accident, as we wanted a bit of a red herring for the audience over what was causing his problems. The trouble with stories like this is that you can often see them coming. We wanted that not to be the case here, so this should hopefully be a really big surprise."


She added: "We have heaped more agony on Ashley, but it's because John is an awesome actor and will do the storyline amazing justice.

"We intend to give this storyline time to breathe. There'll be lots of twists and turns in it and lots of emotion. It should be a fantastic story and I'm very excited by it."

Reply -

quote from.the producer "trouble with problems
like this -you often see them coming!"

hint " in that case dont pick a character who
seems/acts a couple of decades older than
his actual age"

A story about Early Dementia is a good one
and the condition needs more awareness.
No doubt Ashleys fans will be sympathetic -
but there must surely have been better
candidates ( acting ability / age etc)

[Telly Watcher]

Emmerdale star John Middleton: 'Dementia story will take Ashley out of the show'

By Daniel Kilkelly
Thursday, Oct 22 2015, 21:58 BS

Long-serving Emmerdale star John Middleton has confirmed that he'll be leaving the show at the end of his emotional new storyline.

The actor's character Ashley Thomas received devastating news in Thursday night's special 'rewind' episode as a doctor told him that he may have early onset dementia.

Ashley was referred to a specialist and his diagnosis won't be confirmed officially until next month, when the village vicar has to face up to the reality that there is sadly no cure for his condition.

Speaking about the storyline for the first time, Middleton commented: "I've known about it for a year - since last October. I had a meeting with [producer] Kate [Oates] and she pitched the idea to me. She asked me if I was happy to do the storyline and suggested I might like time to think about it, but I recognised it as the best story I've been given in my life and fully embraced it.

"Inevitably it will take me out of the show. 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 continued: "In the episode where Ashley is diagnosed, one of his lines is, 'Last time I checked there is no cure' - but it's a very long arc. Time-wise, as far as I know, I'm contracted to the end of next year. Beyond that I don't know.

"I'm finding the prospect of leaving actually very exciting. It's another roll of the dice. I'm very, very excited about that and I couldn't ask for a better storyline to leave the show on, I really couldn't."

Middleton has played the role of Ashley since 1996.

Source:
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s1...-the-show.html

[uberfan]

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s1...ps8RfumqRsxaqw

Emmerdale star John Middleton: 'Dementia story will take Ashley out of the show'
By Daniel Kilkelly
Thursday, Oct 22 2015, 21:58 BST
83Shares
Long-serving Emmerdale star John Middleton has confirmed that he'll be leaving the show at the end of his emotional new storyline.

The actor's character Ashley Thomas received devastating news in Thursday night's special 'rewind' episode as a doctor told him that he may have early onset dementia.

John Middleton as Ashley Thomas in Emmerdale

© ITV

John Middleton as Ashley Thomas

Ashley was referred to a specialist and his diagnosis won't be confirmed officially until next month, when the village vicar has to face up to the reality that there is sadly no cure for his condition.

Speaking about the storyline for the first time, Middleton commented: "I've known about it for a year - since last October. I had a meeting with [producer] Kate [Oates] and she pitched the idea to me. She asked me if I was happy to do the storyline and suggested I might like time to think about it, but I recognised it as the best story I've been given in my life and fully embraced it.

"Inevitably it will take me out of the show. 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."

Harriet tells Ashley she must keep quiet about Ged for Brenda's safety

© ITV

Ashley with on-screen partner Harriet

He continued: "In the episode where Ashley is diagnosed, one of his lines is, 'Last time I checked there is no cure' - but it's a very long arc. Time-wise, as far as I know, I'm contracted to the end of next year. Beyond that I don't know.

"I'm finding the prospect of leaving actually very exciting. It's another roll of the dice. I'm very, very excited about that and I couldn't ask for a better storyline to leave the show on, I really couldn't."

Middleton has played the role of Ashley since 1996.

Read more Emmerdale spoilers and news

Digital Spy Soap Scoop video - hit play below for gossip on EastEnders' Halloween special, Nikhil's Emmerdale return, the Nightingale family's arrival in Hollyoaks and a new romance story for Mary in Coronation Street.

Read more: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s1...#ixzz3pal1xP7y
Follow us: @digitalspy on Twitter | digitalspyuk on Facebook

[uberfan]

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s1...ps8RfumqRsxaqw

Emmerdale star John Middleton: 'Dementia story will take Ashley out of the show'
By Daniel Kilkelly
Thursday, Oct 22 2015, 21:58 BST
83Shares
Long-serving Emmerdale star John Middleton has confirmed that he'll be leaving the show at the end of his emotional new storyline.

The actor's character Ashley Thomas received devastating news in Thursday night's special 'rewind' episode as a doctor told him that he may have early onset dementia.

John Middleton as Ashley Thomas in Emmerdale

© ITV

John Middleton as Ashley Thomas

Ashley was referred to a specialist and his diagnosis won't be confirmed officially until next month, when the village vicar has to face up to the reality that there is sadly no cure for his condition.

Speaking about the storyline for the first time, Middleton commented: "I've known about it for a year - since last October. I had a meeting with [producer] Kate [Oates] and she pitched the idea to me. She asked me if I was happy to do the storyline and suggested I might like time to think about it, but I recognised it as the best story I've been given in my life and fully embraced it.

"Inevitably it will take me out of the show. 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."

Harriet tells Ashley she must keep quiet about Ged for Brenda's safety

© ITV

Ashley with on-screen partner Harriet

He continued: "In the episode where Ashley is diagnosed, one of his lines is, 'Last time I checked there is no cure' - but it's a very long arc. Time-wise, as far as I know, I'm contracted to the end of next year. Beyond that I don't know.

"I'm finding the prospect of leaving actually very exciting. It's another roll of the dice. I'm very, very excited about that and I couldn't ask for a better storyline to leave the show on, I really couldn't."

Middleton has played the role of Ashley since 1996.

Read more Emmerdale spoilers and news

Digital Spy Soap Scoop video - hit play below for gossip on EastEnders' Halloween special, Nikhil's Emmerdale return, the Nightingale family's arrival in Hollyoaks and a new romance story for Mary in Coronation Street.

Read more: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s1...#ixzz3pal1xP7y
Follow us: @digitalspy on Twitter | digitalspyuk on Facebook