British Soap Awards 2017: Emmerdale’s Ashley Thomas dementia storyline dominates the shortlist but EastEnders misses out on best actor nomination

Emmerdale actor John Middleton was praised for his wonderful and sensitive portrayal of the condition as fan-favourite Ashley Thomas’s health declined – a plot nominated for best storyline.

His final scenes moved viewers to tears after he passed away peacefully at home following a short battle with pneumonia. 

Now the 63 year old has a well-deserved nomination for best actor in a star studded category – which snubs EastEnders.

None of the Walford trio nominated in the long list – …