Charlotte Bellamy
“Laurel is numb – she goes on to autopilot…”
The residents of Emmerdale come together this week, as tragic Ashley’s life is celebrated. The former vicar – who had been living with early onset dementia
– passed away quietly at home last week, with his family by his side, just as he would have wished. And when the day of his funeral arrives, his wife Laurel is surrounded by those to whom he meant so much, as they prepare to say one final goodbye. But despite the heartfelt support, it’s a day devastated Laurel just wasn’t ready for…
“Laurel really thought that she and Ashley had many years together,” admits Charlotte Bellamy, who plays the widow. “She wasn’t at all prepared to have him taken from her so quickly and so abruptly. That said, are you ever ready to lose someone? I don’t know. Laurel goes into autopilot mode, and she is just trying to keep herself together.”
It’s a particularly poignant time for Harriet, too, since she not only took over from Ashley after he stepped down from his role as village vicar, but was also in a relationship with him around the time of his dementia diagnosis. So it’s no surprise that being in charge of his church service is a deeply emotional prospect.
“Harriet is also struggling,” agrees Charlotte. “She and Laurel are both in the midst of their own grief – but I don’t think Laurel is aware of just how much Harriet is struggling. Harriet is trying to be a support to Laurel as well, though.”
Of course, Laurel and Harriet aren’t the only ones who find the day devastating. There’s also Ashley’s eldest daughter, Gabby, who blames her mum Bernice for not being allowed enough time to say a proper goodbye to her dad.
And when Ashley’s brave young son Arthur steps up to read a poem for his dad in the graveyard, it all proves too much, and the little lad runs away. But despite this huge sadness, everyone who knew Ashley is determined to do right by him…
“There’s a good turnout for the funeral, which is no surprise really, as Ashley has always been such a central part of the village,” explains Charlotte. “The service is very beautiful, as you would imagine. And it’s more of a celebration of Ashley’s life, rather than being too sombre. But you can understand why Laurel is feeling so numb.”
And once the funeral is over, Laurel must continue facing up to the reality of life without Ashley. However, Charlotte is confident she will cope, if only for the sake of those who need her.
“The most important thing is that Laurel is a mum,” says Charlotte. “She’s such a stoic, matriarchal figure, isn’t she? She’ll be looking after the people she needs to look after, from Ashley’s dad Sandy down to little Dotty. They will be her focus now. “However, she’ll also have her dad Doug’s support, because he’s always there for her whatever, and she couldn’t do without him. So I do think she’ll cope.”