It has been 13 years since James Thornton bid farewell to Emmerdale, leaving behind his role as John Barton after a tragic storyline that saw his character perish in a car crash.
His exit in 2012 marked the end of an era for the Barton family, who had taken over Butler’s Farm just a few years earlier.
While James’ on-screen presence in Emmerdale was brief but impactful, his career and personal life have taken intriguing turns since his departure.
From his time as a beloved soap star to his career as a voice artist, as well as his family life with his famous wife Joanna Page, James has remained busy, albeit away from the limelight.
Let’s take a closer look at his journey before and after Emmerdale, including the real-life accident that once forced the show to alter its scripts.
James Thornton’s Time in Emmerdale
Born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, James Thornton, now 49, had already built a strong television career before stepping into the world of Emmerdale. His early acting credits included roles in The Lakes, Playing The Field, Red Cap, and No Angels. Interestingly, James had appeared on Emmerdale once before, in 1995, long before he was cast as John Barton.
His role as John began in 2009, with the Bartons described as a fresh, modern addition to Butler’s Farm. As a hardworking farmer and devoted family man, John appeared to have the perfect life with his wife Moira Barton (played by Natalie J Robb) and their children. However, trouble soon followed.
John’s marriage suffered cracks when he shared a kiss with Eve Jenson (Suzanne Shaw), but the real turmoil began when Moira had an affair with Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley). Heartbroken and unable to trust Moira, John struggled to forgive her but ultimately realized he couldn’t live without her.
Despite this reconciliation, James decided to leave the soap after three years. His departure led to one of Emmerdale’s most dramatic exits—John and Moira’s car crash. Slipping on icy roads, their vehicle veered off a ravine, leading to John’s tragic death in February 2012. James later praised the storyline, saying, “As I learned more, I discovered that the scale of John’s departure was going to be huge, and that the amount of money they were spending was massive. So I was really, really pleased. As an actor, you always want to do something that’s going to grab the audience’s attention.”
Life Beyond Emmerdale
Following his Emmerdale departure, James largely stepped away from the acting world. Instead, he pursued a career as a voice artist, lending his narration skills to a variety of television programs. He became the voice behind The Curse of Oak Island for UK audiences and narrated Benefits By the Sea: Jaywick (2015–2016) and The Motorway on Channel 5. Additionally, his voice has been featured in advertising campaigns for major brands such as Ford, Amazon, Shell, and BP.
Family Life with Joanna Page
James is married to Joanna Page, best known for her role as Stacey in the BBC comedy Gavin & Stacey. The couple first met while working together on the BBC adaptation of David Copperfield and later tied the knot. They have since built a happy family life, raising four children together: Eva, Kit, Noah, and their youngest, Boe, who was born in 2021.
Excited about their growing family, James shared the news of Joanna’s fourth pregnancy on Instagram, writing: “My wonderful wife @iamjoannapage is pregnant and doesn’t she look amazing!!! We are having baby number 4! #almostafiveasideteam #nosleep.”
Despite their joy, the couple has been candid about the challenges of raising a family, especially during lockdown. Joanna once revealed that the pressures of parenting led to tensions in their marriage, telling The Sun, “We spent the whole of the first lockdown arguing and threatening to divorce each other. Then we went through a month of literally not saying a single word to each other.”
Thankfully, they overcame those challenges and continue to share glimpses of their family life—including their two dogs—on social media.
James’ Real-Life Accident That Affected Emmerdale
In February 2010, James was involved in a road accident that left him with serious leg injuries. While enjoying a few days off in London with Joanna, he was struck by a car, an incident that deeply worried his colleagues at Emmerdale.
A source from the show told the Daily Star, “He was having a few days off in London with Jo and they’d been out for dinner when he was hit by the car. Joanna was in a right state and James was in absolute agony.”
His injuries were severe enough to force Emmerdale producers to rewrite some of John Barton’s storylines, as James required time to recover. Fortunately, he was able to return to filming, and his character’s dramatic exit remained unchanged.
Where Is James Thornton Now?
Although he has kept a low profile since leaving Emmerdale, James remains active in the entertainment industry as a sought-after voice artist. His work narrating documentaries and providing voiceovers for television and advertising has allowed him to maintain a successful career while enjoying a quieter life with his family.
With Emmerdale continuing to evolve, fans still remember John Barton’s impactful storylines. While James may not be making a return to the soap world anytime soon, his work behind the scenes ensures his voice remains familiar to many viewers.
From his on-screen legacy to his fulfilling family life and career shift, James Thornton has certainly paved his own unique path since bidding farewell to the Dales.
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