Laurel Thomas
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| Emmerdale character | |
 |
|
| Laurel Thomas | |
|---|---|
| Played by | Charlotte Bellamy |
| Duration | 2002-2004, 2005- |
| Date of birth | 1974 |
| Date of death | |
| Marital status | Married |
| Occupation | Cleaner |
| Family | Ashley and Gabby |
Laurel Thomas (née Potts) is a fictional character on the ITV soap opera Emmerdale. She is played by Charlotte Bellamy.
[edit] About Laurel
Laurel's first appearance was at Marlon and Tricia’s engagement party dressed as a bumblebee. She collapsed midway through her act and had to be rushed to hospital. Laurel was taken in by pensioners Betty Eagleton and Seth Armstrong.
Laurel's major love interest was Ashley Thomas, who thought highly of her but did not have any romantic notions for her. After his recent divorce from Bernice Blackstock, he was not interested in any serious relationship. During this time, Laurel was working as a domestic cleaner in and around the village, including at the church.
In 2004, a storm which claimed the life of Tricia Dingle also caused Ashley and his then-fiancée Louise Appleton to drive offroad and have an accident. Laurel proved to support Ashley's recovery all along the way.
After some false starts, Ashley finally realised Laurel had feelings for him and they began dating. Although she’d now got everything she’d ever dreamed of, Laurel wanted to broaden her horizons and went off to work as a volunteer in Tanzania. (This was due to actress Charlotte Bellamy taking maternity leave).
Ashley was sad to see her go and throughout her time abroad, feared she might not come back to him. She eventually did return and after a second proposal from Ashley, she accepted. While the couple were planning their wedding, Ashley’s boss, the Bishop, was none too impressed with his employee’s hectic love life and banned him from marrying Laurel. In defiance, Ashley quit his job but soon found he couldn’t cope with not being a vicar anymore. However, Laurel was willing to wait for him and her love was certainly put to the test.
Ashely's curate, Ethan Blake, had been Laurel's confidant throughout this time and realised that he was also in love with Laurel and wanted her for himself. When she did not reciprocate his love, he falsely told the Bishop that he and Laurel had kissed. Ethan eventually confessed, however, to the Bishop, who decided that Ashley and Laurel had waited long enough to marry and gave them his blessing.
They arrived home for their wedding night to find Ashley’s estranged father Sandy in their marital bed. It was Laurel who helped her husband bond with his father.
Laurel's professional life changed too. The departure of her friend Nicola Blackstock, who left Emmerdale in shame, meant Laurel got put in charge of the cleaning business. She also had her hands full being a full time mum to Gabby, being a wife, running the choir, and trying to keep up with Ashley’s troublesome niece Jasmine. Laurel was devastated when Jasmine and her friends Debbie and Daz accidentally set fire to the vicarage, and they lost everything.
When Jasmine started having an affair with Debbie's dad, Cain, she confided in Laurel. Laurel promised to keep it a secret from Ashley, even though she felt very uncomfortable lying to her husband. After the truth came out Ashley was furious with Laurel. Lauel went away on a holiday with her parents thinking that the break would help her marriage. When she returned all was normal and they promised that there would be no more secrets.
In December 2006, Laurel discovered she was pregnant with Ashley's baby.
[edit] Family
- Father: Douglas Potts
- Mother: Hilary Potts
- Husband: Ashley Thomas
