'Emmerdale' vicar John Middleton keeps being mistaken for a real life clergyman.

The actor, who plays Rev Ashley Thomas in the ITV soap said fans of the show come to him for spiritual advice.

John said: "I'll be happily chatting away to a friend in the pub, and then a fan of the show will open up to me about a big problem in their lives."

He also said even the 'Emmerdale' cast forget that he's not really a vicar, adding: "Once I'm wearing Ashley's dog collar, no one will swear in front of me - including members of the cast.

"Then when I swear, everyone's shocked!"

The actor also revealed that naive Ashley will soon discover the truth behind his scheming ex, Sally Spode's plans to replace wife Laurel Potts in his affections: "He'll be horrified when he finds out Sally's played them all for fools.

"He too often hasn't believed Laurel in favour of listening to this woman. She's manipulating him into an awful situation."

As Sally works her way into Ashley's life further, his relationship with Laurel breaks down - partly to fit in with actress Charlotte Bellamy who plays her going on maternity leave.