Hollyoaks actor John Middleton lets slip huge spoiler and it’s bad news for one character
Hollyoaks actor John Middleton appeared on Tuesday's Good Morning Britain
The actor, 71, who is best known for playing Emmerdale’s kind-hearted vicar Ashley Thomas for 21 years has now joined the rival Channel 4 soap as “evil character” Froggy Black.
John is playing convict Froggy, the grandfather to notorious characters Clare Devine (Gemma Bissix) and Grace Black (Tamara Wall).
Currently a resident of Longmere prison, Froggy has struck up an alliance with the newly imprisoned ‘Tax Man’ Tom Cunningham (Ellis Hollins), who has become his clandestine financial adviser.
Recent episodes have shown Tom plotting against his old nemesis Clare, apparently collaborating with Froggy in his schemes.
Hollyoaks actor John Middleton appeared on Tuesday’s Good Morning Britain (Image: ITV)
Froggy’s storyline kicks off when he learns shocking news about Gracie’s location from Tom, prompting him to take action. Yet, it remains to be seen if his grandchildren will accept him with open arms…
Talking about the storyline and new role on Tuesday’s Good Morning Britain, host Ed Balls asked of his character: “Are you going to be reformed?”
To which John teased of Froggy: “I might appear reformed but he knows a lot of secrets about other people and in fact one in particular if he revealed what he knows about that person’s past… it would be catastrophic…”
Froggy’s storyline kicks off when he learns shocking news about Gracie’s location from Tom, prompting him to take action. Yet, it remains to be seen if his grandchildren will accept him with open arms…
Talking about the storyline and new role on Tuesday’s Good Morning Britain, host Ed Balls asked of his character: “Are you going to be reformed?”
To which John teased of Froggy: “I might appear reformed but he knows a lot of secrets about other people and in fact one in particular if he revealed what he knows about that person’s past… it would be catastrophic…”
He added: “We’ll have to see how the story develops…”
Meanwhile fellow host Kate Garraway asked: “Prison reform are you [Froggy] going to turn it on its head?” to which John admitted: “I somehow doubt it with the way things are going…”
John has now joined the rival Channel 4 soap as “evil character” Froggy Black
Soap watchers will recall that John played Emmerdale vicar Ashley from 1996 to 2017. Ashley’s slow deterioration after his dementia diagnosis saw him lose his memory, no longer able to recognise his wife, Laurel and their children in emotional scenes.
The character tragically passed away in 2017, leaving viewers in tears over the heartbreaking and poignant scenes.
In 2017, John won Best Male Dramatic Performance at The British Soap Awards for his heartbreaking portrayal of Ashley amid the character’s dementia diagnosis.
Since leaving Emmerdale, John showcased his talents in Strangers on a Train, playing American detective Arthur Gerard.
In 2021, John took on the role of Frank in the one-man show Hull and High Water, and throughout 2022 and 2023, he portrayed Colonel Pickering in the UK Tour of My Fair Lady.