It has been 13 years since James Thornton bid farewell to Emmerdale, with his character, John Barton,
meeting a tragic end in a car crash just as he and Moira Barton (now Dingle) had rekindled their relationship.
Introduced in 2009, the Barton family was positioned as a fresh and modern addition to Emmerdale,
with then-series producer Gavin Blyth describing John as a “charismatic and modern farmer.”
However, despite being involved in major storylines, James left the show after less than three years, opting for a quieter life away from the spotlight.
Since then, he has focused on family life with his wife, actress Joanna Page, and their four children.
Here’s a look at James’ journey—from his Emmerdale days to his career shift and personal life.
James Thornton’s Time on Emmerdale and Dramatic Exit
Born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, James Thornton, now 49, established himself in British television with roles in The Lakes, Playing The Field, Red Cap, and No Angels. Interestingly, his first appearance in Emmerdale came in 1995—long before he officially joined the cast as John Barton in 2009.
John arrived in the village with his wife Moira (Natalie J. Robb) and their children, quickly becoming a key player in several dramatic storylines. Initially, John and Moira’s marriage was strong, but it faced challenges when he shared a kiss with Eve Jenson (Suzanne Shaw). However, it was Moira’s affair with Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) two years later that truly tested their relationship. Though John struggled to forgive her, he ultimately realized he couldn’t live without her.
James announced his departure from Emmerdale in 2012, citing the demanding schedule and extended time away from home as key factors. His exit storyline was both intense and emotional. After deciding to reconcile, John and Moira planned a romantic getaway, but tragedy struck when their car skidded on ice, crashed, and fell into a ravine.
Speaking about his exit, James described the dramatic scenes as a perfect send-off:
“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 Off-Screen: Marriage to Joanna Page and Family Life
James is married to Welsh actress Joanna Page, best known for her role as Stacey in the hit BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey. The couple first met while working on the BBC adaptation of David Copperfield and tied the knot in December 2003.
Together, they have four children: Eva, Kit, Noah, and their youngest, Boe, who was born in 2021. Announcing Joanna’s fourth pregnancy on Instagram, James shared a picture of his wife with the caption:
“My wonderful wife @iamjoannapage is pregnant and doesn’t she look amazing!!! We are having baby number 4! #almostafiveasideteam #nosleep.”
Despite their happiness, the couple faced challenges during the COVID-19 lockdowns, which put a strain on their marriage. With their children unable to attend school or nursery, finding time for each other became difficult. Joanna admitted in an interview with 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.”
Fortunately, they worked through their struggles and now regularly share moments of their family life—including their beloved dogs—on social media.
James’ Real-Life Car Accident and Impact on Emmerdale
In February 2010, James experienced a frightening real-life accident when he was hit by a car in London. He suffered leg injuries and required medical treatment, forcing Emmerdale producers to adjust upcoming scenes involving his character.
At the time, a source from the soap revealed to 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. He knows he was lucky. We have no idea when he’s going to be back.”
Although the accident was serious, James made a full recovery and returned to filming.
Life After Emmerdale: A Successful Voice Acting Career
After stepping away from on-screen roles, James found a new career path in voice acting. He has since become a well-known voice artist, narrating several popular documentaries. His work includes The Curse of Oak Island for UK audiences, as well as Benefits By the Sea: Jaywick (2015–2016) and The Motorway, which aired on Channel 5. He has also served as the voice of Talk TV.
Beyond documentaries, James has become a recognizable voice in advertising, narrating campaigns for major global brands such as Ford, Amazon, Shell, and BP.
Where Is James Thornton Now?
Although James has moved away from traditional acting, he remains an active part of the entertainment industry through his voice work. He enjoys a quieter lifestyle with his family while continuing to lend his voice to various television and radio projects.
While Emmerdale fans will always remember him as John Barton, James has successfully built a fulfilling career beyond the soap world. Whether he ever returns to on-screen acting remains to be seen, but for now, he appears content with the life he has created since leaving the Dales behind.
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