Emmerdale's Matty Barton will be plunged into family turmoil this week when he discovers he has been betrayed by his mum Moira and girlfriend Amy.
Both lied to Matty, played by actor Ash Palmisciano, that Cain shot Al Chapman dead, when it was actually Kyle. This week Matty will uncover the truth, leaving him devastated, The Mirror reports.
In real life, Ash, who is known to millions for playing Emmerdale's first transgender character, has been dealing with a heartache of his own, after his mum sadly passed away. Ash's mum Michelle died in May from complications to long-term rheumatoid arthritis. She was just 60.
Read more: Coronation Street star Will Ash joins Emmerdale as Cain Dingle's long lost brother
Ash, 32, told The Mirror: "Mum was a true inspiration to us all. Not only was she an amazing mum to my sister Sophie and I, she was also such a fantastic wife and nanna too.
"Poor Matty has had a rough time in Emmerdale, but there has always been so much love in my family home and Mum was the most important person in my life. Grief is such a beast that is uncontrollable and you are not prepped for it. We don’t talk about loss and it’s something we will all face in our lives. It’s been a terrible year and I am finding it hard."
Ash recalls how his Mum was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis when she was 29, but says she suffered secretly as she wanted to fill her children's lives with positivity.
He told The Mirror: "She was very glamorous, worked, did the school run and was always checking in with me and my sister to make sure we were okay. She was a miracle because she had so many health scares in her life from the effects of it – and despite her health battles she was brave and dignified until the end.”
The actor admits Christmas this year will be tough, but says the whole family want to recreate his mum's amazing spirit and energy, especially for her grandchildren, who she was such a fantastic nanna to.
Michelle, his dad Adrian and sister Sophie were supportive when Ash, who was assigned female at birth, decided he wanted to transition in 2012. Ash said: “When I decided to face the truth of who I was and talk about it, I found I was more comfortable as Ash. Mum did what she always did best – she made a cup of tea, was very supportive and backed me all the way.”
He adds: "She would pick out documentaries on TV for me to watch and share stories to read to help. She was so positive and one of her big messages was from a favourite quote of hers by Regina Brett, ‘No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up’.”
Seeing his mum not letting her rheumatoid arthritis take over became a powerful life lesson to Ash and he says his mum has been his inspiration for him to get to where he is now.
Ash’s parents encouraged him when he said he wanted to be an actor. He landed his big-break role of Matty after being invited by a charity to act as a trans storyline consultant for Emmerdale. The casting director was impressed by his passion and knowledge and, despite having only had a few minor acting roles before then, he was asked to attend an audition and won the part – a “dream come true”.
Now Ash loves being Matty, formerly known as Hannah, who was played by Grace Cassidy between 2009 and 2012, but who had transitioned before arriving back in the village in June 2018.
Michelle was over the moon when Ash landed the role. He says: “She was so proud, as are all my family and I absolutely love playing him. It’s been great to be part of the recent Emmerdale 50th birthday celebrations and Matty has managed to dodge a few bullets! But poor Matty is in for a rough ride when he realises he has been betrayed by his mum and girlfriend."
Ash is proud that his character has helped people understand what being trans is really like. He told The Mirror: “There was nobody on screen who was transgender when I was growing up. Now I get to play a character I so needed to see when I was younger. I would like to think public perceptions have changed.
“Big burly blokes regularly come up to me and say, ‘I wasn’t sure about you when you started but you are a fantastic actor’. For me, that is powerful. It’s opening conversations.”
Ash loves working on Emmerdale and would like to stay on the soap for as long as possible. Away from work, Ash sees his sister and dad a lot and reveals losing his mum has made him realise he wants a family of his own one day. He said: “I would like to think I would make a good parent as I had a fantastic mum and dad.”
Looking forward to closing the door on 2022, he is determined to live according to his mum’s example. He says: “We had so many special moments together, so many great chats and such a laugh. Mum lived her life through positivity, strength and hope and I want to be just like her.”
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