'Emmerdale' star Charlotte Bellamy explains Laurel's love choice

Emmerdale star Charlotte Bellamy has explained why her character Laurel Thomas turns down a future with Marlon Dingle in next week's episodes.

Laurel heads to a hotel room with Marlon next Wednesday as she considers leaving her husband Ashley (John Middleton). She has felt attracted to Marlon since the summer and both have admitted their feelings for each other.

However, Laurel ultimately decides that she cannot abandon her family and returns home to Ashley, who is now well aware of her feelings for Marlon (Mark Charnock).

Bellamy told Soaplife of Laurel's decision: "Reality hits. The practicalities of leaving Ashley, losing Gaby and having to leave the village hit her like a sledgehammer. She decides she must go home. She's in love with Marlon, but what do you do?"

She continued: "[Ashley] knows she's still in love with Marlon and would have gone off with him if it wasn't for the kids. Laurel hasn't slept with Marlon, but it's an emotional betrayal and it eats away at Ashley. He becomes very controlling of Laurel."

Bellamy said that Laurel warns Marlon she has made her final choice and wants to stick with her family.

"Laurel tells him they've said all there is to say," she explained. "She can't look at him anymore because she knows how she feels about him, but she has to do the right thing and stay in her marriage with Ashley."

Emmerdale airs Laurel's choice in an hour-long special on Wednesday at 7pm on ITV1.

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