There’s lovely news this morning in that former Gavin & Stacey star Joanna Page has announced on Twitter that she and hubby James Thornton – who of course played the role of farmer John Barton in Emmerdale – are expecting their first baby.

Joanna, who’s currently starring in Sky comedy, The Gates, tweeted, “Happy news! James + I are delighted to announce that we’re expecting a baby! X.”

During a recent interview with TV Biz, Joanna hinted that she and James were keen to start a family.

She said, “We would love a family. We’ve just moved into a house in the country and we’d like to fill it with kids — and dogs.

“I’m like a mum 24/7 already because of Daisy. My life revolves around her. Before anyone becomes a parent they should get a dog… Read more & comment »

Emmerdale bosses are having to pay out a reported £28,000 to repair damages that a stunt on the show caused to the countryside it was shot on.

The stunt was the dramatic car crash involving John and Moira Barton earlier this year, which won the Spectacular Scene Of The Year Award at the British Soap Awards in April, which was filmed in a famous Yorkshire beauty spot.
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As fans of Emmerdale will know, the Barton family is about to be rocked by tragedy following a car crash which will see John and Moira Barton’s lives hanging in the balance as the accident unfolds.

In a special hour-long episode on Thursday, we’ll see the newly reunited couple heading off for a romantic hotel break, but tragedy strikes when their car slides on black ice and crashes.

And today, the Sun’s TV Biz has an interview with James Thornton, who of course plays John Barton, in which he revealed that the scenes were “gruesome” and frighteningly realistic.

He also revealed that he suffered some minor injuries while filming the dramatic stunt.

Of the scenes, which were filmed over three nights on Yorkshire’s Ilkley Moor, James said, “I love stunt driving so I was in my element… Read more & comment »

Thursday night sees tragedy strike the village as John and Moira Barton have an horrific car crash…

And the outcome is made all the more tragic given that the couple are due to try to put their shattered marriage back together just days ahead of the crash.

As fans of the show will know, last night, Moira (Natalie J Robb) told John (James Thornton) that she would agree to a divorce, and that she’d given up fighting for their marriage…

However, when John sits back and takes in what Moira told him, he will suddenly realize that he doesn’t want a divorce at all, and he vows to give their relationship another try.

And of course, the Barton kids are delighted that their parents are back together, and to celebrate, they book their mum and dad on a romantic hotel break, which is where John and Moira are headed when the accident happens. Read more & comment »

As fans of Emmerdale will know, James Thornton is bowing out of the show and his role as troubled farmer John Barton. In fact, he has already filmed his final scenes, which we’ll see next week.

And again, as you’re sure to know, John is set to die in an horrific car crash, just as he and his wife Moira (Natalie J Robb) were trying to put their marriage back on the rails.

In an interview with Soaplife, James has been talking about John’s dramatic departure from the village, and of his own plans in the immediate future.

He said, “When Moira says she’s going to agree to a divorce it’s a wake-up call for John and he realises just how much he needs to be with her.

“So there are quite a few scenes where they discuss their future and they decide to make a go of it… Read more & comment »

ITV have just released the first sneak peek photograph (above) of the horrific crash that’s going to leave at least one of the villagers dead…

That villager being John Barton, but as he’ll have his wife Moira in the Land Rover with him when the vehicle plunges off a cliff, the question is, will she die too?

John is of course being written out of the show since James Thornton, who plays the farmer, announced that he was leaving the show in order to spend more time with his wife, Joanna Page.

When James announced his intention to leave the show, he teased “I won’t be leaving in a taxi!” making reference of course to the fact that historically, characters in soaps usually leave in a coffin or a taxi…

And for poor John, it’s going to be the latter. Read more & comment »

Emmerdale star Natalie J Robb has been telling Soaplife about how she and her fellow stars filmed the car crash scenes in which her character’s husband dies.

Natalie of course plays Moira Barton, and James Thornton plays her husband John Barton. James announced his intention to leave the show last year, citing his reason for leaving being that he wanted to be nearer his wife, actress Joanna Page.

But of the crash storyline, and in a rather strange coincidence, Natalie revealed that the precursor to John’s fatal crash is ice on the road, and of course, we’re currently set to experience “arctic-like” weather conditions across the country.

However, Natalie revealed that the scenes, which were filmed around a month ago on the Yorkshire moors, were made “more real” and “terrible” by the fact that the stunt, in which the car plunges off a cliff, was done in “story order.” Read more & comment »

Emmerdale star Lucy Pargeter has been telling Soaplife that there’s a new romance on the cards for her character Chas Dingle, in the form of farmer John Barton, who is of course played by James Thornton.

But, given that John’s adulterous wife Moira (Natalie J Robb) works for Chas in the pub – and of course desperately wants her husband back – the revelation of Chas and John’s relationship won’t go down well.

However, Lucy revealed that her character is “ready” to settle into a long-term commitment to someone, and that someone could be John…

But of course, the character of John is set to be killed in a car crash next month, so any romance is going to be very brief!

Lucy began by saying, “There is definitely a sizzle between them. Chas is attracted to John.

“He’s strong, good-looking and kind. Also, I think she can see his vulnerability and hurt over what has happened between Moira and Cain…” Read more & comment »

As fans of Emmerdale will know, James Thornton is leaving the show, and his role as farmer John Barton, and according to the Sun’s TV Biz, the character will be killed off in an horrific car crash.

The paper reports that it was for those scenes that the show’s cast and crew were recently seen filming what was described as a “big dramatic stunt” on the Yorkshire moors.

It seems that the character of John will die in the wreckage of his car when it plunges off a cliff.

The paper adds, “Bosses filmed the scenes in the middle of the moors in a bid to keep the storyline a secret.

“But passers-by say they spotted a battered car with a roll cage attached, newly planted trees and shrubbery as well as ropes at the opening to a quarry.”

A show insider said of the storyline, “Everyone’s putting a lot of time and care into this… Read more & comment »

Emmerdale star James Thornton has filmed his final scenes as farmer John Barton, and he took to Twitter to describe his “emotional” exit from the show.

James, who’s played the role of John since 2009, tweeted, “Just finished my last scene in the Woolpack before I leave! Very emotional.”

He also posted the above picture, which of course shows him behind the bar of the iconic Woolpack.

James – who’s married to Gavin and Stacey star Joanna Page – announced that he would be leaving the show last year, and later said that he “won’t be leaving in a taxi!” hinting that his departure storyline will be an exciting one.

His character has of course been through the mill over the last few months, what with trying to save the farm from financial ruin, and his wife Moira (Natalie J Robb) having an affair with bad lad Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley)… Read more & comment »

And Joanna Page on her ‘hero’ hubby James Thornton

Yes it’s true, we know who it is who attacks Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) in tonight’s Judgement Day episode of Emmerdale!

However, we aren’t allowed to tell you because ITV want to keep it a secret of course, so that the outcome is a surprise for viewers, but I can reveal that it’s a shocker when you find out who it was!

The top suspects are of course John Barton (James Thornton) and/or his unfaithful wife Moira (Natalie J Robb), Jai Sharma (Chris Bisson) and/or Charity Tate (Emma Atkins), as well as Amy Wyatt (Chelsea Halfpenny) who has of course just given birth to Cain’s baby, and Cain’s dad Zak Dingle (Steve Halliwell).

However, it could of course turn out to be somebody right out of left field! Read more & comment »

James Thornton – who of course plays farmer John Barton in Emmerdale – has revealed that he decided to quit the show because he wants to spend more time with his wife, former Gavin and Stacey star, Joanna Page.

While speaking to the Daily Star, James explained that during the week, he lives in Leeds, close to the show’s studios, while Joanna stays at the couple’s home in London. That has meant that he’s only been able to see Joanna at weekends.

He said, “When I first joined I signed for three years but it took me a while before I got it into my head that I would be staying that long…

“But then once I started doing it, the people and the atmosphere, I really, really enjoyed it.

“The main problem has been the logistics – I still live in London. It’s been hard… Read more & comment »

Emmerdale star James Thornton has hinted that his character John Barton will exit the village in dramatic style, and not “in a taxi.”

Traditionally of course, soap characters leave one of two ways; in a coffin or in a taxi, and though James made no mention of coffins in John’s immediate future, he did say that his departure is going to be a big storyline.

Speaking to What’s On TV, James – who’s also starred in Holby Blue and Red Cap – said, “It will be very dramatic and gripping. He doesn’t leave in a taxi, let’s just put it that way.”

We’ll see James as John for the last time early next year, and though James knows how he’ll be written out, he’s keeping it firmly under wraps.

However, there is of course much speculation that John will turn out to be Cain Dingle’s (Jeff Hordley) attacker, and if so, he could of course go to prison. Read more & comment »

James Thornton, who of course plays farmer John Barton on Emmerdale, has announced that he’s leaving the show early next year.

Which of course immediately makes me wonder if that means John’s going to prison for the attack on Cain Dingle!

On the show’s official website, James, who is married to Gavin and Stacey star Joanna Page, said, “I have had a fantastic time playing John for the past three years…

“But it’s the longest I have ever played one part and the time now feels right to move on.

“I have decided to leave on a high with a big exit storyline in 2012, which I’m really excited about.”

James, who’s also starred in Holby Blue and the BBC’s adaptation of David Copperfield – which is where he met Joanna, who also starred in the drama – added, “I will miss all my colleagues at Emmerdale and have many very fond memories of my time in the Dales…” Read more & comment »

Emmerdale star James Thornton has revealed that when his character John Barton finds out that his wife Moira (Natalie J Robb) has been having an affair with Cain Dingle, he’s going to find it nigh on impossible to forgive her.

As fans of the show will know, Moira just can’t help but be attracted to bad lad Cain (Jeff Hordley) and though she hates herself for it, and swears she loves John, she keeps going back for more.

But, it’s all going to go horribly wrong when, next week, Moira will confess to bedding Cain.

John’s suspicions are first aroused when Cain keeps making thinly veiled remarks about Moira, so when John confronts her with his suspicions, she spills the sordid beans. So is that it for John and Moira? Read more & comment »