Laurel and Marlon

Emmerdale star Charlotte Bellamy has explained Laurel Thomas's growing feelings for Marlon Dingle, admitting that the factory worker is falling for her friend.

Viewers have seen the pair grow closer in recent episodes and things go a step further at the end of next week when Laurel sees Marlon (Mark Charnock) spending time with Rachel Breckle and makes it clear that she is jealous.

Speaking of the latest developments, Bellamy told Inside Soap: "Laurel is overcome with jealousy at this point - she knows by then that she's really falling for Marlon. There's a nice little scene where they don't say anything, but actually say everything - and it's a moment which proves that Marlon has feelings for Laurel too.

"It looks like both of them are starting to come to terms with what's going on here."

Discussing the implications for Laurel's marriage to village vicar Ashley (John Middleton), the actress continued: "Laurel is on very shaky ground. She's falling in love with someone other than her husband and must work out what she wants.

"Nothing's happened between her and Marlon, but while it's not a physical thing, they're having an emotional affair. That's just as dangerous."

I hope they dont have have an affair as I think it will ruin both characters

I like the friendship of Laurel and Marlon. I would not like to see it ruined by an affair.

I hope it dont turn physical

i recon this storyline is getting silly an its only just started!

Why can't they give Marlon some happy stories. To have him have an affair with Laurel will only lead to more heartbreak for him. It's about time Marlon has some good times. He's had his heart broken enough.

Poor guy.. When Tricia died, I cried for a week.. probably one of the saddest deaths in a soap

Emmerdale star Charlotte Bellamy has admitted that she is unsure whether Laurel Thomas's feelings for Marlon Dingle will develop into a full-blown affair.

In recent weeks, viewers have seen Bellamy's character grow much closer to Marlon, despite her marriage to village vicar Ashley (John Middleton).

The storyline takes a new twist later this week when Laurel sees Marlon (Mark Charnock) spending time with newcomer Rachel Breckle and makes it clear that she is jealous.

Speaking of Laurel's ongoing plot, Bellamy told Take It Easy: "She's a very loyal person and it's not like her to be looking for someone else. I think she feels neglected by Ashley. Marlon's giving her attention and that's always attractive, isn't it?"

Asked whether Laurel is bored of her marriage, the actress replied: "I really don't think she's as shallow as that. She's feeling something she's never felt with anyone but Ashley. I don't think she even knows it's happening.

"They start making excuses to spend time together and at first it's innocent. Then when Laurel sees Rachel with Marlon, she gets jealous and she just doesn't understand why."

She added: "This whole story is about them falling in love. I'm not sure she'll be tempted into an affair, but you can fall in love without anything physically happening."

Emmerdale airs an hour-long episode tonight at 7pm on ITV1.

Emmerdale's Laurel and Marlon will finally give into their feelings in the coming weeks, reports have revealed.

Over the past few months, we've seen the pair grow much closer - but things became awkward last Friday when they both finally seemed to realise what was happening - and Laurel has since decided to keep her distance.

That's not the end of the storyline, though, as All About Soap now reports that Laurel will share an illicit kiss with Marlon (Mark Charnock) in a forthcoming episode.

There's no word yet on whether the kiss could lead to something more, but Charlotte Bellamy - who plays Laurel - recently suggested that her character may not necessarily be tempted into an affair.

Will things develop further between Laurel and Marlon or will the kiss be strictly a one-off?

Emmerdale is expected to air the scenes in question next month.

No No No Laurel don't do it.

Emmerdale star Charlotte Bellamy has admitted that she wasn't surprised when she heard that her character Laurel Thomas would develop feelings for Marlon Dingle.

Laurel and Marlon have fallen for each other over the past few weeks, but Laurel is currently unwilling to take things further as she is married to village vicar Ashley.

Bellamy spoke to TV Times about her initial reaction to the plotline, explaining: "It didn't surprise me really, because a soap has to keep evolving. I think her falling in love with somebody else was inevitable, but what's really interesting is that it's somebody she's known for a decade.

"It's not about a sordid affair, it's more about the dilemma - what do you do if you fall in love with somebody else?"

Asked whether she thinks Laurel and Marlon would make a good couple, the actress replied: "I do, but why do I feel really guilty saying that? I almost feel I wouldn't want John Middleton, who plays Ashley, to hear me. Isn't that terrible? When you're in a soap couple, you feel quite loyal.

"Marlon and Laurel have been through a lot of tragedy. They're both a bit quirky and daft and could make each other very happy."

Emmerdale fans will see Marlon and Laurel almost share a kiss in next week's episodes as the storyline continues.

Emmerdale star Mark Charnock has said that he is pleased with the viewer reaction to Marlon and Laurel's current storyline.

The actor told TV Times that many fans seem to be supporting the possibility of a relationship for the pair after they have grown so close in recent months.

Charnock explained: "From the reaction I've had on Twitter, I think three quarters of viewers want to see them together while the remaining quarter think it's wrong. I hoped there would be a mixed reaction like that."

Laurel (Charlotte Bellamy) is currently struggling with her feelings because she does not want to betray her husband Ashley, played by John Middleton.

"They didn't plan this. They're completely swept away by their feelings and don't know what to do," Charnock continued.

"I'm hoping the audience will be saying, 'Oh, Laurel, just go off with Marlon!' Don't tell John I said that!"

Emmerdale star Charlotte Bellamy has predicted that someone will get "very hurt" as her character's ongoing love life dilemma gathers pace in the coming months.

Laurel Thomas has recently developed strong romantic feelings for chef Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock), despite being married to village vicar Ashley (John Middleton). The storyline takes a new twist next week when Laurel and Marlon almost kiss.

Bellamy told Emmerdale's official website: "She's definitely falling in love with him, there's no doubt about that. And he's in love with her. What do you do if you're happily married and then you fall in love with somebody else?

"You don't ever plan that, do you? It's not a seedy affair, it's a beautiful love story. It's just that she's not free."

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Discussing where the storyline goes next, the actress continued: "I think this is going to be a really rocky road. I think the triangle between Ashley, Laurel and Marlon is going to be difficult for the audience, because they're all good people.

"They're good, kind people and they don't set out to hurt anyone in life. But the fact is that they're all in this together now, and somebody is going to get very hurt."

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Originally Posted by Perdita

Emmerdale star Mark Charnock has said that he is pleased with the viewer reaction to Marlon and Laurel's current storyline.

The actor told TV Times that many fans seem to be supporting the possibility of a relationship for the pair after they have grown so close in recent months.

Charnock explained: "From the reaction I've had on Twitter, I think three quarters of viewers want to see them together while the remaining quarter think it's wrong. I hoped there would be a mixed reaction like that."

Laurel (Charlotte Bellamy) is currently struggling with her feelings because she does not want to betray her husband Ashley, played by John Middleton.

"They didn't plan this. They're completely swept away by their feelings and don't know what to do," Charnock continued.

"I'm hoping the audience will be saying, 'Oh, Laurel, just go off with Marlon!' Don't tell John I said that!"

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Who is supporting it?

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Originally Posted by lizann

Who is supporting it?

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The actor told TV Times that many fans seem to be supporting the possibility of a relationship for the pair after they have grown so close in recent months.

Charnock explained: "From the reaction I've had on Twitter, I think three quarters of viewers want to see them together while the remaining quarter think it's wrong. I hoped there would be a mixed reaction like that."

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There you go

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Originally Posted by lizann

Who is supporting it?

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Ashley needs something to liven him up a bit. I think there may be another pregnancy on the way between Marlon & Laurel. The way it's going all the Dale females will be "with child" before long, most of 'em sired by the Marlon .

Coming up in Emmerdale, Marlon and Laurel enter into dangerous new territory as they give into temptation and share a passionate kiss.

When Rachel finally guesses the identity of the 'mystery woman' on whom Marlon has a crush, Laurel is furious that he's allowed the nosy newcomer to figure out what's going on.

With Sandy also putting on pressure by questioning the stability of Ashley's marriage, Laurel is at breaking point and when she sees Marlon, she has a go at him for letting Rachel find out.

However, caught in the moment, Marlon grabs Laurel and they soon lock lips. Although they regret their actions afterwards, it's unclear whether they can return to normal after this. Can they go back to being friends or will things develop further?

Emmerdale star Mark Charnock has claimed that Marlon Dingle and Laurel Thomas are "meant to be together".

The 43-year-old's alter ego Marlon and vicar's wife Laurel have gradually realised their true feelings for each other over the last month.

Charnock told PA: "If only they'd met before she met Ashley they would probably be together. In some way they were meant to be together. But they can't be and that's the tragedy of the situation.

"Marlon tests her out saying, 'It was just a kiss, it doesn't really mean anything', but obviously the subtext is it meant everything."

The actor continued: "He says without wanting her to agree that they should be friends and she says, 'Yeah that's what we have to be', and they're holding hands. It's a really sweet and romantic scene and they want so much more than that.

"He's hollowed out by it. I don't know what he thinks he was hoping might happen. In an alternate universe they would be together but the reality is neither of them can go away.

"They know they're going to see each other every day. He's got to see this woman that he profoundly loves each day in another relationship, in another life and he can't be with her. It's quite a tormenting situation for him really."

Fellow Dales star Charlotte Bellamy, who plays Laurel, recently played down speculation that Marlon and Laurel would have an affair.

^ I find them boring myself

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Originally Posted by tammyy2j

^ I find them boring myself

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There's no fun & humour in the characters that there used to be, and I agree that's made them boring. I still think Laurel will end up pregnant , Ashley want's another child, so we might be in for another whose the daddy storyline, heaven help us !

Emmerdale star Charlotte Bellamy has promised that there are surprising "twists" on the way as her character Laurel Thomas's storyline with Marlon Dingle continues.

Laurel recently confessed to Marlon that she has feelings for him, but insisted that she could not act on them due to her marriage and family life with village vicar Ashley (John Middleton).

The pair share a kiss in tonight's episode of the soap but both agree afterwards that they should try to forget it and remain friends.

Bellamy, praising the plotline, told We Love Telly: "She's a good woman, so it's nice to be a bit naughty. But sometimes it's quite uncomfortable. I always thought she was such a pure and honest woman. Now she tells lies."

Asked whether Laurel could have a future with Marlon, she replied: "Aha! You'll have to wait and see. There are lots of twists and turns. It's not a simple case of having an affair. It's not what you think it's going to be, and a lot of other things will happen in their lives."

Bellamy added that Laurel needs to "be true to herself" as she continues to struggle with her feelings in the weeks ahead.

"There are kids involved, and she's not necessarily going to throw all that away," she explained.

Emmerdale continues tonight at 7pm on ITV1.

Emmerdale star Charlotte Bellamy has explained why her character Laurel Thomas turns down a future with Marlon Dingle in next week's episodes.

Laurel heads to a hotel room with Marlon next Wednesday as she considers leaving her husband Ashley (John Middleton). She has felt attracted to Marlon since the summer and both have admitted their feelings for each other.

However, Laurel ultimately decides that she cannot abandon her family and returns home to Ashley, who is now well aware of her feelings for Marlon (Mark Charnock).

Bellamy told Soaplife of Laurel's decision: "Reality hits. The practicalities of leaving Ashley, losing Gaby and having to leave the village hit her like a sledgehammer. She decides she must go home. She's in love with Marlon, but what do you do?"

She continued: "[Ashley] knows she's still in love with Marlon and would have gone off with him if it wasn't for the kids. Laurel hasn't slept with Marlon, but it's an emotional betrayal and it eats away at Ashley. He becomes very controlling of Laurel."

Bellamy said that Laurel warns Marlon she has made her final choice and wants to stick with her family.

"Laurel tells him they've said all there is to say," she explained. "She can't look at him anymore because she knows how she feels about him, but she has to do the right thing and stay in her marriage with Ashley."

Emmerdale airs Laurel's choice in an hour-long special on Wednesday at 7pm on ITV1.

Emmerdale star Mark Charnock has confirmed that his character Marlon Dingle will have a massive decision to make at Christmas.

Marlon still has feelings for vicar's wife Laurel Thomas (Charlotte Bellamy) but has recently kept his distance from her after she decided not to leave her husband Ashley (John Middleton) for him.

However, Marlon considers laying his heart on the line once again over the festive season as the day of Laurel and Ashley's wedding vow renewals arrives.

Charnock told All About Soap: "He's in bits. He goes to call Laurel, but he knows he mustn't. He just spends the day on his Xbox. Of course, Paddy and Rhona have worked it out and they confront him - and that's when Marlon breaks down and confesses all his feelings.

"Rhona goes to the ceremony but comes back and says Ashley is late, and there's a moment when Marlon thinks it's his last chance - he's got to take it.

"So he's got to decide whether to rescue Laurel from a situation she doesn't want to be in, and rescue himself from potentially a lifetime of regret."

Asked whether Marlon could live with himself if he destroyed Ashley's marriage on the big day, Charnock replied: "I think he could, actually. It would be difficult, but he loves Laurel so much that he would find a way to deal with it. But we'll just have to wait and see what happens!"

Emmerdale fans will see the day of the ceremony arrive on Thursday, December 22 at 7pm and 8pm on ITV1.

Oh dear God! Why are they pushing this?? I like the Marlon character ( he's odd and quirky), but it's not very entertaining to watch him in this cringe inducing storyline featuring repeated humiliation. What gives??

NAUGHTY but nice vicars wife Laurel Thomas nearly bedded another man but is guilty of a far greater sin.

Thats the damning verdict of Charlotte Bellamy, who plays the lovable Emmerdale character.

Laurel is convinced resisting having sex with lanky cook Marlon meant she didn't have an affair.

But Charlotte is less forgiving and believes falling in love with a fella is worse than falling into bed with him.

Charlotte, 39, has never discussed this with her boyfriend of 20 years but is sure of his views. She says: I can tell you exactly what he'd say that falling in love with someone else would be the worst thing I could do.

It would be the most treacherous, disloyal and heartbreaking thing in the world. A one-night stand could be put down to being very drunk and would be easier to cope with. Falling in love is completely different.

I'd feel the same way too. For any couple it would be extremely damaging. How do you get back on track after something like that? Can you rebuild a relationship if one of you is in love with someone else?

Millions of viewers of the ITV1 soap have been gripped as loyal Laurel is torn between her feelings for Marlon Dingle and sense of duty to husband Ashley.

Laurel and Marlon, played by Mark Charnock, 43, have kissed but she has not spent the night with him.

Beautiful

Heartbroken Ashley, played by John Middleton, 58, was devastated to find out how close they had become.

He has avoided any intimacy with Laurel but has insisted they go ahead with renewing their wedding vows at Christmas.

The storyline is also a talking point among Charlotte's pals.

All my friends say it would be terrible if their husband said they were in love with someone and that they could forgive them much more easily if it was just lust. A lot of the guys Ive spoken to have said the same thing.

Happily married Laurels love for kind-hearted Marlon seemed to have come out of the blue. Charlotte says: Laurel is a mother, coping with the day-to-day grind and suddenly Marlon made her feel beautiful.

For a woman, thats an incredibly powerful thing for a man to see her not just as a mum but as herself. Shes not fallen out of love with Ashley, shes just fallen in love with Marlon.

In real life Charlotte is happily settled with her partner Mungo Denison, an events manager she met during a performing arts course at Middlesex University.

The couple, who live in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, with their sons Sunnie, seven, Herbie, four, and daughter Teddie, two, make sure they have time together as a couple at the end of every day.

She says: I lead a very manic life, it always feels slightly out of control. Its a loud, busy house but I like that. Mungo is very hands-on we work as a team and help each other out.

The two of us always sit down with a glass of wine and eat together every evening. That's when we have catch-up time which is really important. I'm very lucky. Mungo is the most fantastic person in my life. Hes a funny guy and that's so attractive and he makes me laugh like nobody else.

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Charlotte has been in Emmerdale for nine years but the children are largely unaware they have a famous mum.

She explains: I was out one night recently and Mum was looking after the kids. Herbie had gone to bed but came back downstairs while she was watching Emmerdale.

The next morning he said to me really proudly: Mummy, I saw you on the radiator last night. And then walked out, as if he knew my secret it was very cute.

Our telly and a radiator are mounted on the wall so maybe he got slightly confused.

Many people say hello to Charlotte but Sunnie just thinks its because shes popular.

He knows John Middleton plays my pretend husband but he did ask why I was on the cover of TV Times with someone else recently.

Im not married to Mungo so hes now completely confused. Im married to John but not married to Daddy. And now, who is this new guy, Marlon? Charlotte, who grew up in a showbiz family in Hertfordshire, had roles in A Touch of Frost, Casualty, The Bill and with Kevin Whately in The Brokers Man.

She even had eight months on EastEnders as religious cult member Sue Taylor.

But in 2000 she quit acting to become a casting director.

Being an actor you are never really in control of your life and I got fed up with that, she recalls. I wanted to go to work every day and have two weeks holiday when I wanted, so I gave up acting.

But when an Emmerdale writer tipped her off that the part of Laurel was coming up she had a hunch it would be right for her.

Charlotte remains refreshingly down to earth, as happy doing the school run and cooking fish fingers for tea as she is strolling down the red carpet at awards ceremonies. She is also philosophical about hitting the big 4-0 next year. I dont think: oh my goodness, lines. If I have got lines they're only because Ive been up with my kids and that's
fine by me.

Being on the telly you are under scrutiny but I'm playing a mum with kids and a busy life. I'm telling a story and I want to reach out to people who are in that situation.

Real people don't regularly have boob jobs or worry about their lines or panic over putting on weight.

I'm getting older. So what? That's life. As long as Mungo thinks I look OK and he does.

As for the future, Charlotte hopes she and Mungo will find time to marry.

Marriage is on the list, along with potatoes, onions and writing a will, she jokes. They're all things Ive got to do, its just finding time to do them.

Our friends got married in their early 20s and then got their mortgages and their children and we did it slightly out of order.

We are happy as we are and could not be more committed we have three children together and a mortgage but we will get married.

(C) Sunday People

Emmerdale star Charlotte Bellamy has revealed that the soap's Laurel, Ashley and Marlon love triangle will be turned "upside down" in upcoming episodes.

Laurel is currently preparing to renew her wedding vows with Ashley (John Middleton), despite recently considering leaving him in favour of Marlon (Mark Charnock). The pair's big day arrives at the end of next week.


© ITV

© ITV


Emmerdale bosses are currently keeping tight-lipped over whether the vow renewal will go ahead, as a tormented Ashley considers not turning up for the event - well aware that Laurel still has feelings for Marlon.

Bellamy, who plays Laurel, told itv.com of her character's future: "The story has run for about six months and it's getting more and more tense. And now it's getting to Christmas and it's a family time, and in a way it's worse because she's so not happy and she's in this family set-up.

"And she has to put on this show - that this is what she's decided, that she's wanting to stay with Ashley and it's all going to be okay. But of course, it's just not. The audience now knows that Ashley's found out, so you might think that the story's just finished there, but of course it hasn't - it carries on.

"And something else happens, which is going to be really awful and terrible, and it changes the whole thing. It turns the whole situation and the whole story upside down."

Looks like the return of Bishop George (hardly inspiring) or perhaps a bit of unfrocking of Ashley either will be stomach churning. Maybe an attempted suicide. For me this storyline has gone on far too long and is getting boring.

Right , end this here , vows renewed. Now in an empty pub have the drip in cooking and as he goes to put a joint in the oven the oven explodes in his face ... bye bye drip

Emmerdale series producer Stuart Blackburn has promised that the Laurel/Ashley/Marlon love triangle will continue to "haunt" the characters and their loved ones in the New Year.

Last week, viewers saw Laurel (Charlotte Bellamy) and Ashley (John Middleton) renew their wedding vows, seemingly signalling the end of her 'emotional affair' with Marlon (Mark Charnock).

Blackburn has now teased that the trio will struggle to cope in the aftermath of Laurel's actions, building up to a big storyline involving Ashley, his father Sandy Thomas (Freddie Jones) and Edna Birch (Shirley Stelfox) in 2012.

"Marlon and Laurel were so romantic," Blackburn commented. "Its about now whether Laurel and Ashley can genuinely rebuild their relationship, whether Marlon can move on or whether the damage that Laurel's caused is going to have ripple effects for a lot of people around them."

He added: "Life is going to get very very difficult for Ashley and the sins of Laurel's past will haunt them all."

Blackburn's comments come after Bellamy revealed that the love triangle plot will be turned "upside down" in the near future.

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Originally Posted by Perdita

Emmerdale series producer Stuart Blackburn has promised that the Laurel/Ashley/Marlon love triangle will continue to "haunt" the characters and their loved ones in the New Year.

Last week, viewers saw Laurel (Charlotte Bellamy) and Ashley (John Middleton) renew their wedding vows, seemingly signalling the end of her 'emotional affair' with Marlon (Mark Charnock).

Blackburn has now teased that the trio will struggle to cope in the aftermath of Laurel's actions, building up to a big storyline involving Ashley, his father Sandy Thomas (Freddie Jones) and Edna Birch (Shirley Stelfox) in 2012.

"Marlon and Laurel were so romantic," Blackburn commented. "Its about now whether Laurel and Ashley can genuinely rebuild their relationship, whether Marlon can move on or whether the damage that Laurel's caused is going to have ripple effects for a lot of people around them."

He added: "Life is going to get very very difficult for Ashley and the sins of Laurel's past will haunt them all."

Blackburn's comments come after Bellamy revealed that the love triangle plot will be turned "upside down" in the near future.

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FFS who wants to see this continue it was lame to start with

Emmerdale star Charlotte Bellamy has admitted that she does not foresee a happy ending for Laurel and Ashley Thomas.

The couple are currently trying to get their troubled marriage back on track following the strain caused when Laurel fell for Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock).

However, Bellamy told Inside Soap that the pair could still split - especially as Laurel still has strong feelings for Marlon.

Bellamy explained: "What's going on now between Ashley and Laurel is so dark and murky. I don't know how they can ever get their relationship back on track."

She continued: "Laurel's trying to suppress and repress what she feels for Marlon, because she's focused on the future - and for her, that means her children.

"Laurel blames herself for hurting Ashley and that's why she'll do whatever pleases him now. But she won't be able to ignore her feelings forever."

The actress added that a future for Laurel and Marlon currently appears to be the most likely option.

Speaking of Laurel and Ashley (John Middleton), she commented: "I think they're doomed. Too much has happened. If they split, Laurel would go to Marlon. She wouldn't do it immediately, but what has developed between them is so strong that I believe they'd end up together. That's what the audience seems to want, too."

Emmerdale continues tonight at 7pm on ITV1.

If Laurel gets with Marlon I hope they both f*ck off out of the village

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Originally Posted by lizann

If Laurel gets with Marlon I hope they both f*ck off out of the village

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Me too. I definitely don't want to see them together.

I sort of like the idea of the pair

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Originally Posted by Abbie

I sort of like the idea of the pair

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It seems odd having such a long story line where they ( Marlon and Laurel) fall in love only for Laurel to go back to Ashley? Makes me think that Bellamy is right and they eventually will get together. The producer seems really keen on this couple regardless of "audience" approval.

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Originally Posted by Abbie

I sort of like the idea of the pair

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You must be the only one

Laurel is pregnant

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Originally Posted by Abbie

I sort of like the idea of the pair

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Originally Posted by evole

It seems odd having such a long story line where they ( Marlon and Laurel) fall in love only for Laurel to go back to Ashley? Makes me think that Bellamy is right and they eventually will get together. The producer seems really keen on this couple regardless of "audience" approval.

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You must be the only one

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Actually I quite like them too. Laurel/ Charlotte is a very attractive woman

I like them as a pairing as well. ive gone right off ashley!!

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Originally Posted by Katy

I like them as a pairing as well. ive gone right off ashley!!

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So has Laurel