Bad vicars in Emmerdale: When Ethan, Ashley, Harriet and Charles went rogue!
Charles is the latest in a long line of dodgy vicars
Church curate Ethan Blake is being a very bad boy in Wednesday’s Classic Emmerdale, (July 24).
In the episodes, which originally aired on October 16 and 17, 2005, the supposedly devout Christian was getting intimate with two of his female parishioners.
First, Ethan makes a move on Laurel Potts – girlfriend of his boss, Reverend Ashley Thomas, who he has a huge crush on. He goes in for a kiss during a game of Trivial Pursuit, revealing his true feelings. But unfortunately for Ethan, Laurel’s only got eyes for one man of the cloth and turns him down.
Stung by the rejection, Ethan hits the communion wine and ends up getting jiggy with Kelly Windsor. But when Laurel catches the pair in the act, Ethan cruelly brands Kelly a whore, saying he bedded her because he couldn’t have Laurel. And it’s not long before his immoral antics becomes the talk of the village.
But sleazy Ethan isn’t the only servant of God to cause a stir in Emmerdale. Let’s take a look at the other vicars, past and present, who were more sinners than saints…
Emmerdale: Bad vicars
Ashley Thomas
Dearly departed Ashley Thomas was considered a pillar of the community and everyone mourned his passing in 2018. But the reverend certainly wasn’t holier than thou. He was, in fact, a violent abuser.
Back in 2012, behind the closed doors of the vicarage, Ashley started beating his elderly father, Sandy. The vicar was in bad place after learning his wife Laurel had cheated on him with Marlon Dingle. But that’s no excuse for taking his rage out on a defenceless OAP.
Viewers watched on in horror as frail Sandy was subjected to numerous savage attacks at the hands of his son. The storyline finally came to a head when Laurel caught Ashley harming Sandy and he was arrested.
After that Laurel filed for divorce, Ashley quit his job, became homeless, and started working as a barman at The Woolpack.
But Sandy eventually forgave him and Ashley managed to win back the trust of those he loved. He and Laurel went on to re-marry, and remained together until his death from vascular dementia.
Emmerdale bad vicars
Harriet Finch
As a policewoman-turned-vicar Harriet Finch really should have known right from wrong. But her lust for bad boys often clouded her judgement.
Harriet arrived in 2013 as the new vicar of St Mary’s and enjoyed a brief romance with Ashley Thomas. But it was her next choice of partner that really shocked Harriet’s flock.
In 2017, she embarked on a scandalous affair with local criminal, Cain Dingle, with romps aplenty in the vestry. Harriet was quickly drawn into Cain’s world, getting mixed up with drug dealers and even survived a stabbing. However, the relationship ultimately fizzled when Harriet realised Cain’s heart lay with soulmate, Moira Dingle.
Harriet’s past then returned to haunt her with the arrival of bent copper, DI Malone. It turned out the pair had been lovers when Harriet was working undercover to entrap drug dealer, Will Taylor.
Unable to resist temptation, Harriet fell for Malone’s charms once more and they had sex in her church. Ew!
Having had his wicked way, Malone then began waging a campaign of terror on Harriet and also Will’s daughter, Dawn. A violent confrontation led to Dawn killing Malone, but Harriet assisted in the murder and subsequent cover-up.
Consumed by guilt, Harriet quit the church and returned to policing. But she met her own grisly end in Emmerdale’s 50th anniversary episodes after getting crushed by a quad bike.
Charles Anderson
Current vicar Charles Anderson has gone against the bible time and time again. Quite honestly it’s a miracle the Bishop hasn’t struck this hypocritical holy man off.
His arrival to Emmerdale on Christmas Day 2020 started off with such promise. On first impression, Charles was a kind-hearted soul, devoted to his family and faith. But it transpired he’d committed adultery, cheating on his wife, Esme, when she was in the grips of postnatal depression.
Charles was also less than charitable when it came to reconnecting with his ex-con dad, Victor. He framed his father for theft by planting a stolen necklace on his person. Victor then unexpectedly died of a heart attack, leaving Charles wracked with remorse.
The guilt manifested itself in violence and Charles appalled the locals by attacking Tom King in a drunken rage.
The recent death of his son, Ethan, has seen Charles teetering on the edge once again. Will he go over to the dark side once more?
Read more: Classic Emmerdale spoilers: Ethan’s kiss-take!
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.