Emmerdale's John Middleton has revealed a new look for his character Ashley Thomas.
During an appearance on Daybreak the actor showed off his beard, confirmed that his changed appearance was part of Ashley's ongoing struggles.
In the coming days viewers will see Ashley become homeless after he cannot afford to keep staying at the B&B.
His life has gone dramatically downhill since it was revealed that he had been abusing his father.
Discussing the ongoing storylines, Middleton said: "This is a huge change. I've been playing this character for, off and on, 15 years now. So any change like this you embrace as an actor, but I did with some trepidation because I didn't know where it was going to go.
"It really is reinventing the character completely. And they've even reinvented the way the character looks, as you can see, because he's got a considerable downfall to go yet! At the same time, I was very excited. It's a huge story."
Chatting about his new look, he added: "It's great at the moment because I'm not being recognised! I'm blowing that now, aren't I?"
Middleton admitted that whilst Ashley's treatment of his father Sandy was "completely unfair" some viewers sympathised with the former vicar.
He explained: "I've had quite a surprising amount of feedback from people who understand the pressure upon Ashley, and the pressure of looking after an elderly [person] who's very needy.
"Sandy isn't as needy as some - I have had people who've had to look after parents with Alzheimer's or things like that."
John added: "The pressure on carers these days - who get very, very little support - is enormous.
"If there's one message I wanted to get out, it's before you get anywhere near the situation that Ashley finds himself in, where he became violently abusive and there's no excuse for that, you've got to talk to someone. There are agencies out there who are there to help."
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