‘Emmerdale’: Ashley Thomas Dementia Storyline To End When John Middleton’s Character Dies Next Week

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‘Emmerdale’ fans will need the tissues at the ready next week, as Ashley Thomas is set to die, following a long-running dementia storyline.

The former vicar was diagnosed with the disease over a year ago, and in the months since, the soap’s bosses have used the character to shine a light on what it is like living with dementia.

John has played Ashley for over a decade
John has played Ashley for over a decade
ITV Pictures

Sadly, there has always been only one possible way for the storyline to end, and viewers will see Laurel Thomas bring her husband back to the village, so that he can spend his final moments at home and surrounded by loved ones.

The situation is obviously a difficult one and Laurel will struggle to balance fitting in all of Ashley’s friends, and making sure he spends quality time with his children.

After plenty of reminiscing and bittersweet tears, his friends will go, leaving Laurel alone with her husband. At this point, he takes his final breath and passes away.

Doug and Laurel are told to expect the worst
Doug and Laurel are told to expect the worst
ITV Pictures

Earlier this year, the soap’s executive producer Iain MacLeod revealed details of Ashley’s final moments, telling the Huffington Post UK that his last episode is “unbelievably beautiful”.

“It’s oddly joyous – it’s a celebration of the character,” he said. “We didn’t want to do a story where he just absconded from a care home and was discovered dead from hypothermia or something, it would be too bleak.

“It’s super warm and funny and almost festive and boisterous. It’s just beautiful and I couldn’t be more proud of the script, which is in very capable hands with our cast and crew.”

The family face up to what's happening
The family face up to what's happening
ITV Pictures

From the very beginning, Iain, John Middleton and the rest of the soap’s cast and crew have worked hard to make sure the storyline has a positive effect.

“The Alzheimer’s Society tell me - we did dementia awareness week - that there are currently 850,000 people in the UK with some form of dementia,” he said. “That’s going to grow to around 2 million by 2050, so it’s the most pressing health concern we have.

“It affects so many people, so we have to get it exactly right.”

These ‘Emmerdale’ scenes air from Monday 3 April. Catch up on all the latest soap news and spoilers here.

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