Middleton: 'Dales plot is serious issue'

John Middleton has said that the latest twist in his Emmerdale storyline tackled an important issue.

Earlier this month, viewers saw unstable Sally Spode (Siân Reeves) drugging Middleton's character Ashley Thomas at his home before leading him upstairs to spend the night with him.

In an interview with This Morning today, the actor explained that the dark moment marked a crucial turning point in the plot, which has seen Sally scheming against Ashley and his wife Laurel (Charlotte Bellamy) for months.

Middleton commented: "It [was] very sinister. I hesitate to get too heavy about it, but it is an issue - men being attacked in this manner. Apparently it does happen and according to the police it's incredibly under-reported because men are very embarrassed about it."

The star conceded that Ashley was foolish to let Sally into his home, but noted that the character's main flaw is "he always tries to see the best in people - even psychopaths like Sally".

On the implications for his alter ego, Middleton added: "For Ashley, it's the worst thing that could have possibly happened. Because of the nature of the drug, he has little recollection of what actually happened but it does come back in flashbacks. It's an absolute living nightmare."