It has been 13 years since James Thornton departed Emmerdale, leaving behind the Dales and his role as John Barton after a dramatic and tragic car crash.
His character’s emotional exit came just as he and his on-screen wife, Moira Barton (now Dingle), were on the path to reconciliation.
The Barton family made their debut in Emmerdale in 2009, bringing a fresh, modern energy to Butler’s Farm.
At the time, series producer Gavin Blyth described James’ character as a “charismatic and modern farmer,”
but despite a strong start, James decided to leave the role after less than three years.
Since then, he has stepped back from the spotlight, focusing on a quieter life with his wife, Welsh actress Joanna Page, and their four children.
James Thornton’s Acting Career and Emmerdale Exit
Born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, James Thornton, now 49, built his acting career with roles in television dramas including The Lakes, Playing the Field, Red Cap, and No Angels. Interestingly, his first brush with Emmerdale came in 1995, long before he landed the role of John Barton in 2009.
As John Barton, James played a devoted husband to Moira (Natalie J. Robb) and father to Holly, Adam, and Hannah. Their family appeared strong until John’s brief affair with Eve Jenson (Suzanne Shaw) caused major cracks. Later, when Moira had her own affair with Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley), John struggled to forgive her but ultimately realized he couldn’t live without her.
However, in 2012, James announced his decision to leave Emmerdale, citing the long hours and time away from home as key reasons. His exit was marked by a devastating storyline in which John and Moira, after deciding to rebuild their marriage, suffered a terrible car accident when their vehicle skidded on ice and plunged into a ravine.
Reflecting on his departure, James praised the dramatic send-off, saying, “As an actor, you always want to do something that’s going to grab the audience’s attention.”
Life Beyond the Dales: Marriage and Family
James is married to actress Joanna Page, best known for her role as Stacey in the hit BBC comedy Gavin & Stacey. The couple first met while working on the BBC adaptation of David Copperfield, in which James played Ham Peggotty and Joanna played Dora Spenlow. They tied the knot in December 2003.
Together, they have built a family with four children: Eva, Kit, Noah, and Boe, who was born in 2021. James excitedly announced Joanna’s fourth pregnancy on Instagram, sharing a glowing photo of her and writing, “My wonderful wife @iamjoannapage is pregnant and doesn’t she look amazing! We are having baby number 4! #almostafiveasideteam #nosleep.”
While they share a happy life together, Joanna has been candid about the challenges they faced, particularly during the COVID-19 lockdowns. She revealed that the stress of parenting while schools and nurseries were closed took a toll on their marriage, leading to heated arguments and even talk of divorce. In an interview, she admitted, “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 worked through their struggles and now frequently share glimpses of their family life, including their beloved dogs, on social media.
A Real-Life Car Accident That Changed Emmerdale’s Scripts
In February 2010, James was involved in a frightening real-life car accident in London. He was struck by a car while out with Joanna and suffered leg injuries that required medical attention. The incident was serious enough that Emmerdale producers had to adjust storylines to accommodate his recovery.
A source from the soap told the Daily Star at the time, “James was having a few days off in London with Jo when he was hit by a 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.”
James Thornton’s Career as a Voice Artist
Since leaving Emmerdale, James has transitioned into a successful career as a voice artist. His deep and distinctive voice has become familiar to UK audiences through his narration work on popular documentaries, including The Curse of Oak Island, Benefits By the Sea: Jaywick (2015–2016), and The Motorway. He is also known as one of the voices of Talk TV.
Beyond documentaries, James has lent his voice to major advertising campaigns for brands such as Ford, Amazon, Shell, and BP. His smooth and engaging narration has made him a sought-after talent in the industry.
Where Is James Thornton Now?
Although James has stepped away from on-screen acting, he remains active in the entertainment industry through his voice work. He enjoys a quieter life with his family while still contributing to television and radio. Fans of Emmerdale will always remember him as John Barton, but James Thornton has successfully carved out a fulfilling career beyond the soap world.
As he focuses on family life and his voice acting career, it remains to be seen whether he will ever make a return to acting in front of the camera. But for now, James seems content with the life he has built since leaving the Dales behind.
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