For two decades, John Middleton charmed audiences as beloved vicar Ashley Thomas in Emmerdale, but now the 71-year-old has embraced a far more sinister character as Fraser “Froggy” Black – the grandfather of notorious villains Grace Black and her sister Clare Devine – in Hollyoaks.
Following years behind bars at Longmere Prison, Froggy has been released and is making a beeline straight back to his dysfunctional family. “He does want to bring the family together,” John explains.
“For what purpose, that’s yet to be revealed. But he wants to restore the relationship between Clare and Grace.”
One of the most enjoyable aspects of his latest role, John reveals, is collaborating with Tamara Wall and Gemma Bissix, who portray Grace and Clare respectively. “They ask me, ‘What do you tell your wife when you go back home?'” John reveals.
Froggy debuted on the Chester-set drama in early August, appearing in prison alongside Tom Cunningham, whom he had mentored as a financial adviser.
When his granddaughters found themselves arrested for their involvement in Clare’s husband’s trafficking operation, their family reunion was decidedly frosty. Nevertheless, Froggy remained determined to win Grace’s favour – despite his contempt for Clare.
Now, John hints that Froggy’s arrival could devastate the entire village. “He knows things, particularly about one particular person,” John reveals.
He continued: “He’s an incredibly manipulative person so the fact he’s got enemies doesn’t bother him. The fact that he has control over his enemies is essential to him.”
This isn’t John’s first encounter with Hollyoaks. Back in 1997, he made a brief appearance as Cindy Cunningham’s doctor – a role he confesses he’d forgotten about.
His soap opera career has been dotted with cameo roles. In the 1990s, he graced Coronation Street twice – initially as John Hargreaves, the driver responsible for Lisa Duckworth’s accidental death, and later as a hospital consultant. Even Emmerdale wasn’t entirely unfamiliar territory when he stepped into Ashley’s shoes.
“I was a policeman about a year and a half before becoming Ashley,” he reveals. “But Froggy is a completely different character, which is why I’m doing it.”
John credits the entire Hollyoaks team for making his transition smooth. Despite still grappling with nerves, executive producer Hannah Cheers has reassured him that he’s found his niche. “You adjust quickly to it and it was helped because everyone here is lovely,” he says.