One of the most emotional storylines in recent soap history is on its final run in.
Emmerdale fans have been made aware that former vicar, Ashley Thomas, will finally succumb to the dementia that has taken hold of him.
The end if nigh though, as John Middleton, who plays Ashley, has revealed that he’s filming his final scenes.
The challenging story has shown how Ashley has been gripped by the illness.
His health has deteriorated in front of our eyes, giving viewers of the ITV soap some heartbreaking scenes to watch.
Soap bosses have already managed to extend Ashley’s stay in Emmerdale because they couldn’t bear to part with him.
Time is running out though and John has indicated the Ashley will pass away in the spring and he is ready to film his final scenes.
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Ashley has battled dementia for the past two years but the pain is becoming unbearable.
There will be tears shed this week as his wife, Laurel, makes the heart wrenching decision to take Ashley to a specialist care home.
An source spoke to the Daily Star about what happens next: “His condition has deteriorated so much over the last few months and he needs specialist medical care.
“We have already filmed a number of really emotional and powerful scenes showing his life inside the care home.
“There are some gut-wrenching scenes coming up between Ashley and Laurel.
“It’s been as much about their love story as Ashley’s condition.”
While there have been plenty of tears, Emmerdale producer Iain McLeod has said that there could be one last twist that would “warm the cockles” of viewers.
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He opened up on the soap’s social media: “There’s an interesting episode in Ashley’s story that you’ll get to see before the summer.
“One of the things we’re trying to do between now and the summer is find ways to make this a joyful story.
“Something that really warms the cockles as well as breaking your heart.”
It would seem that springtime is going to be a rollercoaster of emotions.