Emmerdale actor John Middleton reveals heartbreaking news that dementia special episode is ‘significant chapter’ in Ashley Thomas’ deterioration
Tonight's episode saw ex-vicar Ashley Thomas forget who his wife Laurel is
EMMERDALE actor John Middleton has revealed some incredibly heartbreaking news about his character Ashley Thomas, admitting that he "won't be the same" after this evening's tragic dementia special.
Tonight saw Ashley forget who his wife Laurel was after a powerful episode shot to show how someone who is living with dementia sees the world.
The ITV soap used a variety of techniques to give the viewer an insight into their reality.
It has received wide-spread praise from fans, who commended the episode and its actors for providing a "huge insight into dementia".
But actor John has admitted that this episode is a "significant chapter" in Ashley's deterioration.
Speaking to the , he said: "I think this episode will highlight how rapidly he is deteriorating. It's a significant chapter in Ashley's condition."
Charlotte Bellamy, who plays wife Laurel, revealed that her character is "losing control completely" and that "things are going to happen that she's never seen before".
She added: "She's completely out of her depth."
Last week he also spoke to The Sun about the traumatic reality of playing the dementia sufferer.
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John, 63, who joined the Yorkshire-based soap in 1996, said: “It’s watching someone diminish.
“Every aspect of this story is true and has come directly from someone we’ve spoken to who has experienced it.
“We had to do this accurately and the way you do that is from the research because we’ve always maintained that this story will come from real stories.
“Just before the story was pitched to me I did find a woman walking in Harrogate and she was obviously confused. So I said, ‘Can I just check with you where you are wanting to go?’
“I knew there was a care home at the top of the hill and I said to her, ‘I think I know where you need to go’ and that line is actually in the script that I’ve just done.”
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