Farewell Ashley.

Tonight's Emmerdale was an emotional one for Ashley Thomas' last scenes were aired on the soap. As fans will know, Ashley, who played the village's vicar for 21 years, and over the last 18 months he had been fighting vascular dementia. Tonight's show was made even more emotional by the fact that Ashley, played by John Middleton, recognised his wife Lauren for the first time in months, voicing her name just moments before he died. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFLsDvu_-Zg Naturally enough, these scenes left viewers in floods of tears and they took to Twitter to commend the performances from the actors involved.

Brilliant episode @emmerdale Ashley's illness sensitively done his dying also sensitive. Congrats to writers/actors. Will miss Ashley. ?

— Adrina M Price (@SingingDri) April 7, 2017

Ashley has been a part of our lives for so long & we've been with him right to the end. We'll miss him so much ? #Emmerdale @john_Middleton_

— Amy (@geordiegalg) April 7, 2017

@emmerdale amazing job tonight guys brilliant episode ashley will be really missed?but very emotional but amazing work by everyone involved

— karen@robronforlife (@_karenmoores_) April 7, 2017

Fantastic acting by @john_Middleton_ and @MissCBellamy, Ashley will be sadly missed #ByeAshley #emmerdale @emmerdale ??

— ??Gemma?? (@Jamelia1978) April 7, 2017

What an absolute tribute to Ashley ( Emmerdale) absolutely sobbed & still am x

— SheenaChristopherson (@SheenaChristop1) April 7, 2017

Amazing storyline for weeks for #Ashley in #emmerdale fantastic acting by @john_Middleton_ &
rest of cast.Heartbreaking memories of my dad

— Graham (@apple_shwn) April 7, 2017

#Emmerdale oh my goodness. For someone who has watched someone suffer with dementia and sadly die, the actor who plays Ashley is amazing. ??

— Nadine (@nadineshambrook) April 7, 2017

Cried my eyes out that Ashley has gone! So so sad ? @emmerdale will never be the same without him. Everyone has played it so amazing ?? @itv

— Laura Prescott (@prescott884) April 7, 2017

Main image via Emmerdale