Fans avoid Emmerdale star after elder abuse storyline

Fans of television soap Emmerdale have taken to avoiding actor John Middleton as a result of an elder abuse storyline on the show.

The actor, plays vicar Ashley Thomas who has been mistreating his elderly father.

Middleton said he hopes the storyline will encourage people in the same situation as his character to seek help.

Middleton said: "People are avoiding me. My own mother doesn't like what's happening.

"I don't think (Emmerdale fans are) going to like (his character Ashley) from now on, and quite justifiably so. Yes, Ashley has been under all sorts of pressures, and as an actor you look into that mentally. But it doesn't condone in any way what he's done.

"If Ashley had been more sensible, he'd have spoken to somebody."