Emmerdale’s Laurel Thomas is set for another explosive storyline this summer after she stumbles upon the video of Emma Barton manipulating her dead husband Ashley before his passing.
Viewers were left on the edge of their seats earlier this year when the murderer – portrayed by Gillian Kearney – was caught on camera trying to confuse the late dementia sufferer (John Middleton) after he witnessed – and remembered – her pushing her husband James Barton (Bill Ward) off a motorway bridge, which resulted in a multi-car pile up and ultimately led to the tragic death of the hunky farmer in hospital.
But it looks like Emma is finally about to get her comeuppance as Laurel (Charlotte Bellamy) – who is still grieving for her dead spouse after he recently lost his battle with dementia – is set to discover the gruesome footage recorded on Ashley’s camera.
The soap’s boss Iain MacLeod told the Radio Times Online: "We were quite aware that after Ashley’s death we didn’t end up with Charlotte just drumming her fingers wondering where her next big story is coming from, so I’m pleased to report she’ll be busy.
"Basically we didn’t want the whole family to just sit around and miss Ashley, and we needed to make sure Laurel had a houseful so we added a new ingredient into the house that would be fun. There is also another different kind of story playing for Laurel over the summer which is tied into the resurfacing of the Ashley/Emma Barton home video."
Fans of the long-running soap were left heartbroken earlier this month when Ashley tragically lost his battle with the progressive disorder and, although many people who are suffering with the condition live for many years, writers felt they had to end it when it did.
Iain said: "I’m sad that story finished. It was so heartbreaking but we ended it at the right time. We covered all the different chapters of Ashley’s deterioration and did Ashley and Laurel’s love story justice. We took our time. I’m well aware people live for decades with dementia be unfortunately that’s not easy to portray on a soap. The end was sad but people also found it uplifting in a way. But of course I’m sad John’s gone."
Emmerdale’s Laurel Thomas to discover Emma Barton’s murder confession
