legend John Middleton looks completely different as he appeared with a new style. Middleton, 70, appeared in the soap for decades, playing the role of the soft-spoken vicar Ashley Thomas. However, John called time on his stint on the show in 2017, when his character developed dementia and passed away in harrowing scenes. The
Actor returned in 2018 to appear in two episodes in a small capacity, but has since left the village behind. Now, as he continues to try his hand a number of new projects, John looks almost unrecognisable. Bradford-born John is currently starring in a UK-wide production of the musical My Fair Lady. In the show, which is touring up and down the country, he has been playing the character Colonel Pickering, which required him to take on a much more rugged look. And it seems that his new style has seen a huge uptake in interest for the actor, who have been blown away at his change. This includes a long, bushy white beard that has been grown for his stint in the play. John is also in good company thanks to his time in the play, as he has been joined by fellow soap actor Adam Woodyatt. Adam is best known for his iconic role as Ian Beale on soap , who has also grown out his facial hair for his own role as Alfred P Doolittle. This is now the most significant acting role that John has bagged following his devastating exit from Emmerdale. ITV bosses decided to kill his character Ashley off by giving John one of the soap's most challenging storylines. After being involved in a car accident caused by Emma Barton, doctors discovered Ashley was in the early stages of dementia. The diagnosis came as a shock to Thomas, alongside wife Laurel - who, as the plot progressed, gradually became Ashley's carer. Emmerdale bosses made sure viewers saw all the nitty-gritty bits of the disease, as he struggled with losing his memory and ability. His condition deteriorated rapidly and was forced to stay in a care home, before tragically passing away as a result of pneumonia. In tear-jerking scenes that aired in April 2017, Ashley officially left Emmerdale behind after 21 years on the soap. However, there was a glimmer of hope for wife Laurel, as in his dying moments, he was able to remember her and give her his love before passing on, leaving their family devastated.