Once the soul of the village, his life took a turn that no one could have predicted. As old wounds resurface, viewers can’t help but revisit the emotional story that changed Emmerdale forever.
Ashley Thomas in Emmerdale was the much-loved vicar of the village, dad to Gabby, Arthur and Dotty, and husband to Laurel. But he also had a dark side that is not so fondly remembered.
Ashley’s diagnosis with early-onset vascular dementia in 2015 was a pivotal moment for the character. He knew he did not have long left and died in 2017 after 21 years on the soap.
The memories of her dad and his dementia battle have clearly stayed with Gabby as she reveals to Paddy in Emmerdale on Thursday June 26.
Let’s take a look at the life and times of Ashley Thomas.
Gabby’s dad was eventually revealed as Ashley in Emmerdale after Bernice gave birth (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Ashley Thomas marries Bernice Blackstock and becomes Gabby’s dad in Emmerdale
The vicar arrived in Emmerdale in December 1996. He officiated the wedding of Biff Fowler and Linda Glover at Christmas and spent the next year carrying out the funerals and weddings of many villagers.
It was in 1999 that Ashley was thrust into a love story. He fell for Woolpack barmaid, Bernice Blackstock, but she was engaged to Gavin Ferris. However he was the first of Bernice’s love interests to turn out to be gay, and she ended up with Ashley after all.
Devout churchgoer Edna Birch and the bishop both opposed the love match, but Ashley and Bernice carried on and they got married on Christmas Day.
Bernice fell pregnant, but sadly miscarried and lashed out at Ashley in her grief. Unable to support her, Ashley took a job working away – nice. Feeling abandoned, Bernice started an affair with Carlos Diaz – who was engaged to her sister, Nicola!
Bernice found she was pregnant again, but didn’t know who the father was. She eventually gave birth to Gabrielle on Christmas Day and a DNA test found Ashley to be Gabby’s dad.
Although Ashley was a natural father, Bernice struggled and developed post-natal depression. As their marriage crumbled, Bernice decided to leave the village – and Ashley and Gabby – behind for a new life on a cruise ship.
Ashley’s true love turned out to be Laurel Potts (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Love for Louise and marriage to Laurel
Ashley soon developed feelings for Louise Appleton, but things soon fizzled out and they parted ways amicably.
His next love was the big one: Laurel Potts. Ashley found out Laurel was in love with him, but he initially rejected her. However, he soon realised he did feel the same when she decided to leave the village. Fortunately he confessed in time and they started a relationship.
He proposed, but she left for Tanzania anyway (to cover actress Charlotte Bellamy’s real-life maternity leave), however on her return they got engaged and were eventually married.
There was devastation for Laurel when her baby died (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Baby swap in Emmerdale
Laurel fell pregnant with Arthur and he was born in 2007. But a mix-up at the hospital meant they brought home the wrong baby, Daniel.
Tragedy struck when Daniel died from cot death. However it was soon revealed Daniel was the biological son of Melanie and Greg Doland and their child, Arthur, was still alive.
A custody hearing saw Arthur returned to Laurel and Ashley, but Laurel struggled to bond with him.
Sandy ended up being terrified of Ashley after he repeatedly abused him (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Ashley abuses dad Sandy
Ashley’s dad, Sandy Thomas, arrived in Emmerdale and it was clear there was issues between father and son. It turned out that when Ashley’s mother, Dorothy, was terminally ill Sandy had helped her to die. God-loving Ashley couldn’t get on board with this and cut his father off.
Things were strained as Sandy moved in with the Thomas’ and gradually they got worse. Ashley began physically abusing his dad in 2012.
Laurel caught him and demanded a divorce. By this time she was with Marlon Dingle and they went on to marry.
Ashley was so ashamed he quit his job and became homeless. He was helped by Marlon and then started work as a barman at the Woolpack.
Ashley eventually got his job back at the church and started a relationship with rival vicar Harriet Finch.
Ashley often lost his temper when he got confused (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Ashley’s dementia diagnosis in Emmerdale
In 2015 Ashley was run over by Victoria Sugden and suffered multiple seizures. He was diagnosed with epilepsy, but then started losing his memory and was diagnosed with early-onset vascular dementia.
He told Laurel and his loved ones about his condition and he and Laurel decided to remarry. They even had another child together – Dotty – born in 2016.
Ashley’s dementia caused him to be involved in the Hotten Bypass crash in 2016 when he was driving, thinking he’d forgotten his daughter’s christening. He hit James Barton with his car when he didn’t keep his eye on the road, but in fact James had been pushed by crazed wife Emma Barton.
Things continued to get worse for Ashley. He forgot who his wife was and by 2017 he had to be moved to a care home where he completely forgot who his family were.
The vicar spent the remainder of his days in a care home before returning to the village to die (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Ashley Thomas dies in Emmerdale
By March of 2017, Ashley was diagnosed with pneumonia. Laurel and the family were told he only had days to live. Ashley was brought home to spend the final moments of his life with his family and friends.
Regaining consciousness in early April to recognise Laurel one last time, he died peacefully in his sleep when Laurel went to get him another pillow. His favourite song, Teenage Kicks, by the Undertones was playing at the time.
Gabby, Arthur, Bernice and Sandy then joined Laurel by Ashley’s side, devastated by their loss.
After the funeral Laurel fell asleep on the sofa. She woke up to find Ashley talking to her on the television. They recalled their moments together and said a final goodbye.
And there was not a dry eye in the house.
