Emmerdale’s beloved John Middleton’s stay on the soap has been extended after it was previously revealed he would be leaving the show after 20 years.
The actor, who plays vicar Ashley Thomas, was due to depart the series after his character succumbed to dementia.
The sad storyline was thought up by former producer Kate Oates but new producer Iain MacLeod has decided to keep John on for a little longer.
John told the Daily Star Sunday: “The storyline is going to be extended a little bit. That was the first thing I wanted to ask Iain MacLeod.
“I had a meeting with him and said, ‘Iain, I just need to know when I’m going, my agent’s chomping at the bit.’
“People ask me all the time, ‘What are you going to be doing next?’ As if I know. I’m an actor, I don’t know what I’m doing next. I don’t have plans, I have hopes.
“Iain did say he wanted to get as many chapters, as he put it, out of it as he can. He also wants to give the storyline its due.”
It is expected John will continue to play the character until next spring when Ashley will die.
He added: “What we’re dealing with here is a love story where you know there is only one ending for Ashley and Laurel.”
John is proud of his soap bosses for raising awareness of dementia.
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