Laurel Thomas

A bit of a rebel, Laurel Thomas (Charlotte Bellamy) is also the kindest, most generous resident in Emmerdale.

Marriages Rev Ashley Thomas

Children Arthur/Daniel (swapped at birth; Daniel is deceased), Gabrielle (stepdaughter)

2002 Makes a spectacular first appearance as an all-singing, all-dancing bumble bee at Marlon Dingle and Tricia Stokes' engagement party and collapses with appendicitis. Taken in by Betty Eagleton while she recovers and ends up staying.

2003 Falls for Rev Ashley Thomas.

2004 After Ashley's injured in the storm that kills Tricia Dingle, Laurel nurses him back to health and they start a relationship. Leaves to do voluntary work in Tanzania.

2005 Returns and plans to marry Ashley. Jealous curate Ethan Blake attempts to split them up but they wed in November.

2006 Loses everything in a fire at the Vicarage. Discovers she's pregnant in December.

2007 Rebuilds relationship with mother Hilary. Gives birth to a baby boy called Daniel. New friends Greg and Melanie Doland move into Emmerdale with their new baby, Arthur, born the same day at the same hospital as Daniel.

2008 Grief-stricken when Daniel dies in February. Mum Hilary becomes convinced that Arthur is Laurel's biological son and, after a lot of torment and heartache for both families, she's proved right. Ashley and Laurel get custody of Arthur and the Dolands move to Spain. Barricades herself in church on Christmas Day to protest its imminent closure. Church is bought by Mark and Natasha Wylde.

2009 In January, discovers Ashley's niece, Jasmine Thomas, killed Sgt Shane Doyle, who tried to rape her. Eventually tells the police and is charged with perverting the course of justice. Given 40 hours community service.

2010 Finds the shrine to husband Ashley by disturbed Sally Spode. Takes action after Sally tries to kill her in a church fire. Follows Sally to her flat and forces her to admit the arson. Sally is arrested. Horrified when she discovers Holly Barton was taking heroin while babysitting her children.

Played by Charlotte Bellamy

Born in 1973, Charlotte Bellamy studied Performing Arts at Middlesex University, graduating in 1993. Had small roles in A Touch of Frost, EastEnders, The Broker's Man and Casualty before joining Emmerdale in 2002.

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