Emmerdale fans ‘heartbroken’ as dementia sufferer Ashley HITS Laurel leaving her bleeding
EMMERDALE viewers could barely watch tonight as dementia patient Ashley Thomas (John Middleton) accidentally hit his wife Laurel (Charlotte Bellamy) in the face, after he got confused and started a heated confrontation in the hospital.
Emmerdale's Ashley accidentally hits Laurel in a fit of rage
The couple were waiting for news on their daughter Gabby, who had been admitted with alcohol poisoning.
Ashley grew increasingly agitated and started taking it all out on Laurel, bringing up her alcohol battles and saying she’s an unfit parent.
As Laurel uncomfortably apologised to others in the waiting room and tried to grab hold of her husband, he shook her off, and didn’t notice himself hitting her on the nose, leaving her bleeding.
The slow-burning storyline has been getting more and more intense as Ashley’s condition worsens, and viewers are set to see it explored further in a special episode from his perspective later this month.
Emmerdale: Ashley Thomas accidentally hit Laurel
Laurel had a fat lip after the incident
Ashley hadn't even realised what he'd done
Poor Laurel. I know Ashley can't help it but that was hard to watch
“Poor Laurel. I know Ashley can't help it but that was hard to watch. #emmerdale,” one fan wrote.
“It's heartbreaking to see Ashley like that what a horrible disease #Emmerdale,” someone else said.
A third posted: “This is heartbreaking watching Ashley go downhill with dementia. #Emmerdale.”
Another tweeted: “Ashley is breaking my heart.. I'm not going to be prepared for his episode coming up #Emmerdale.”
Diane later returned to her aid
Emmerdale's Kasim tells Finn he won't scare him off
Later in the show, viewers saw Diane consoling Ashley as security kept watch, and he broke down in tears when he realised what had happened.
Elsewhere in tonight’s double bill, Kasim and Finn’s romance continued to blossom despite him threatening to leave the village.
Emmerdale continues tomorrow at 7pm on ITV.