Emmerdale Matty Barton star's life – finding love, tragic death and transgender role
Emmerdale character Matty Barton has made quite the impact since he returned to the soap in 2018.When the character returned to our screens he was described as having transitioned in his years away from the Dales, making Ash Emmerdale's first transgender actor and the soap’s first transgender character.Besides acting, multitalented Ash is also a poet, writer, and narrator and makes use of his own YouTube channel to post short poetry videos.READ NEXT: Emmerdale's Liv in alcohol horror as drunken spiral 'sealed' with mum Sandra's returnTaking the soap world by storm, Ash’s life off-screen isn’t as dramatic as his alter-ego character, but the happy-go-lucky star often gives fans a glimpse into his life on social media.From finding love with their gorgeous girlfriend, suffering a tragic death and becoming the face of transgender actors in British soapland – let’s take a look at Ash’s like off-screen.
Ashley Palmisciano joined Emmerdale in 2018, taking over from Grace Cassidy, who portrayed the character from 2009-2012. He was originally brought in to advise Emmerdale on their new transgender character, through a charity called All About Trans.The 32-year-old is the first-ever transgender actor to appear on Emmerdale and his character Matty is also the first character written into the show to have transitioned.He explained during an appearance on Lorraine: "I went along and the next thing is them asking me if I want to audition.
I was like, 'Yeah, fantastic!' And here I am!"He then went on to join the soap as a full-time member of the cast.Speaking on This Morning, Ash explained: “I was an actor, I was doing bits and bobs in theatre."But you know what it’s like, I was collecting tickets, I was a full-time peasant at Warwick.
