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08 Sept 2025
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08 Sept 2025
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Actor John Middleton, known for his long-running role as vicar Ashley Thomas on Emmerdale, is to join the cast of Hollyoaks as a series regular, it has been announced.
Middleton will play the character of Froggy, who is the grandfather of Clare Devine, Rex Gallagher and Grace Black.
Froggy, also known as Notorious Froggy or Fraser Black Senior, is currently residing in Longmere Prison but is soon to be released with plans to leave his criminal past behind.
In prison he has befriended long-term character and fellow inmate Tom Cunningham, with the pair working to together to conspire against Clare Devine.
Middleton, who starred in ITV’s Emmerdale as Ashley Thomas from 1996 to 2017, said: “From vicar to villain is quite a leap but that’s why I love this part.
“Froggy has a very dark history and he could reveal everyone’s murky past. He knows where all the bodies are buried; perhaps quite literally…”
Middleton’s previous TV credits include Cracker, Heartbeat, Doctors, Hetty Wainthropp Investigates, and The Ruth Rendell Mysteries, and played Colonel Pickering in the UK Tour of My Fair Lady throughout 2022 and 2023.
Hollyoaks is available to stream from 7am on Monday to Wednesday on Channel 4 or to watch live on E4 at 7pm.
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