Emmerdale star Ash Palmisciano has discussed his future hopes for Matty Barton.
The ITV show is lining up a toxic masculinity-themed storyline for Matty as he tries to fit in with some troublesome new friends.
Ash said the scenes have been "amazing" to do, but also told Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes on today's This Morning (July 25) that he would love to eventually see his character have storylines which aren't related to his gender identity.
"That's exactly where I want to take the role," he said.
"I'm an uncle, I love a Chinese takeaway, I'm an actor, and I happen to be trans as well. And I think that that's what I'm hoping for Matty, that he becomes his own character and he takes over the Woolpack – that would be really good!"
Discussing Matty's latest storyline, Ash said: "Matty's going through what a lot of lads go through a little bit younger in life.
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"He's going through it a bit later where he's got this pressure of, what sort of man is he going to be? Is he going to be a Jack-the-lad, is he going to try and compete with them? And he puts himself through quite a lot of pressure because he wants to be liked. He wants to fit in.
"And he meets these friends who are proper, typical Jack-the-lads. They're disrespectful to women, they love a good beer or two, they're violent, they don't talk about their emotions, and Matty tries to be like them to fit in.
"He thinks this is going to help him... [but] he's a cheeky chappy. He's a sensitive soul. So for me to play, it's been a real difference in character."
This Morning airs weekday and Sundays at 10.30am on ITV.
Emmerdale currently airs weekdays at 7pm on ITV, with an extra episode at 8pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
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