Jonny Foster
Encyclopedia
Jonathan "Jonny" Foster is a fictional character
in the British
soap opera
Emmerdale
played by Richard Grieve
. He appeared from 2007 to 2008 and in 2009. Openly gay, in 2008 Jonny enters into a civil partnership with Paul Lambert
, the first of any primetime soap opera.
, in addition to the axing of characters Grayson Sinclair
and Perdita Hyde-Sinclair
. Before this there was already reports of low morale, and the axing apparently caused friction on set. At the time Grieve said that while he had "thoroughly enjoyed the role" he thought "the time is right to move on."
In December 2008, it was announced that Jonny would be returning to Emmerdale to play a part in the departure of Paul. The actor said that he "couldn't resist this opportunity" to return to the programme.
. Grayson's wife, Perdy
, soon starts to think they are having affair. She then sets up a business dinner and invites her gay friend Paul Lambert, hoping they get together. This works, and the eventually go on a date. After six months together, Jonny moves into Victoria Cottage with Paul, Paul's father Rodney Blackstock
and Emily Kirk
. He confides in Paul that as a teenager he suffered from an eating disorder as a result of loneliness and unhappiness. During his time in Emmerdale, Jonny sets up an aerobics dance class and a fitness club.
When Grayson and Perdy have difficulties in their relationship – caused by his mother Rosemary
– she is sectioned, and Paul spends more time with Grayson as he acts a go between the two. Paul develops feelings for Grayson, and Jonny asks Paul to marry him. Paul accepts, but during their engagement he has a one-night stand with Grayson. When Grayson tells Paul it meant nothing to him, Paul feels guilty and tells Jonny. He manages to persuade Jonny not to leave Emmerdale and on 3 March 2008 they have their civil partnership at Hotten Registry Office. Later that day they have a ceremony at Home Farm, as neither can tell their parents they have already legally married.
After Grayson and Perdy separate, Katie Sugden
gives birth to their child, who she had agreed to surrogate when they were still together. Katie had told Grayson that they would bring up the child together, without Perdy, but changes her mind when she finds out about Grayson’s relationship with Paul. Katie had not told Perdy of her plans to give the child to her, so when Katie goes into labour Perdy tells Grayson. Perdy soon runs off with the baby, but Jonny refuses to believe that Paul had not tipped Grayson off. He later does believe Paul, but he later sees Paul and Grayson hug. Although, Paul said nothing had happened and he had not reciprocated the hug, Jonny said he could no longer trust Paul and leaves the village on 31 July 2008. He later texts asking for a divorce
.
In January 2009, Jonny requests they close their joint bank account. Paul's friends, Lily Butterfield
and Leyla Harding
, seeing how upset he is decides to try and reconcile him and Jonny. This causes Jonny's mother, Patricia, to visit the village. After initial confusion, Paul convinces Patricia that he still loves Jonny, who has moved to Australia
. He plans to travel to Australia to try and build his relationship with Jonny, but his mother Val Pollard
lies and tells him that Rodney has a heart condition in attempt to ensure he does not leave the village. Lily, however, gets in touch with Jonny and arranges a meeting between him and Paul. While they both still love each other, Paul tells Jonny he cannot leave Emmerdale because of his father's condition. However, on the day Jonny is due to fly out, Paul finds out his mother was lying about his father's condition, and Paul rushes to meet Jonny to fly to Australia with him.
came into force on 5 December 2005. Although radio soap The Archers
and daytime soap Doctors had previously featured civil partnerships, Emmerdale was the first primetime soap opera to do so. Matthew Bose, who plays Paul, said he was "proud" Emmerdale was the first, and commented that soaps "have a great responsibility to show things as they change and be cutting edge".
Sarah Ellis hip
Character (arts)
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
in the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
Emmerdale
Emmerdale
Emmerdale, is a long-running British soap opera set in Emmerdale , a fictional village in the Yorkshire Dales. Created by Kevin Laffan, Emmerdale was first broadcast on 16 October 1972...
played by Richard Grieve
Richard Grieve
Richard Grieve is an actor, currently living in England. He was born in Hong Kong. He has worked extensively in film, television, theatre and musical theatre, but is perhaps best known for his roles in the British soap Emmerdale, and two Australian television series, Neighbours and Home and...
. He appeared from 2007 to 2008 and in 2009. Openly gay, in 2008 Jonny enters into a civil partnership with Paul Lambert
Paul Lambert (Emmerdale)
Paul Lambert is a fictional character in the British soap opera Emmerdale played by Mathew Bose. Paul appeared between 2004 and 2009. He arrives as the son of existing characters Val Lambert and Rodney Blackstock and in 2008 Paul, who is openly gay, enters into a civil partnership with Jonny...
, the first of any primetime soap opera.
Character creation and development
It was announced on 29 March 2008 that Jonny was being written out of the programme, and it was reported that Grieve had been axed by series producer Anita TurnerAnita Turner
Anita Turner is a British script editor, and television producer. From 2008 to 2009 Turner was the series producer of the British television soap opera Emmerdale.-Early career:...
, in addition to the axing of characters Grayson Sinclair
Grayson Sinclair
Grayson Sinclair is a fictional character in the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale. He was played by Christopher Villiers.-History:Grayson is part of the wealthy Sinclair family. He was married to Perdita Hyde-Sinclair, he is the eldest son of Rosemary King and brother of Alasdair Sinclair.He first...
and Perdita Hyde-Sinclair
Perdita Hyde-Sinclair
Perdita "Perdy" Hyde-Sinclair is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale. She was played by Georgia Slowe.-Character's background:...
. Before this there was already reports of low morale, and the axing apparently caused friction on set. At the time Grieve said that while he had "thoroughly enjoyed the role" he thought "the time is right to move on."
In December 2008, it was announced that Jonny would be returning to Emmerdale to play a part in the departure of Paul. The actor said that he "couldn't resist this opportunity" to return to the programme.
Character history
Jonny first appears in February 2007 when he strikes up a friendly working relationship with bisexual Grayson SinclairGrayson Sinclair
Grayson Sinclair is a fictional character in the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale. He was played by Christopher Villiers.-History:Grayson is part of the wealthy Sinclair family. He was married to Perdita Hyde-Sinclair, he is the eldest son of Rosemary King and brother of Alasdair Sinclair.He first...
. Grayson's wife, Perdy
Perdita Hyde-Sinclair
Perdita "Perdy" Hyde-Sinclair is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale. She was played by Georgia Slowe.-Character's background:...
, soon starts to think they are having affair. She then sets up a business dinner and invites her gay friend Paul Lambert, hoping they get together. This works, and the eventually go on a date. After six months together, Jonny moves into Victoria Cottage with Paul, Paul's father Rodney Blackstock
Rodney Blackstock
Rodney Blackstock is a fictional character on the ITV soap opera Emmerdale. He is played by Patrick Mower.-2000–:When Rodney Blackstock turned up in Emmerdale, no one was more surprised to see him than his ex-wife Diane...
and Emily Kirk
Emily Kirk
Emily Kirk was a fictional character in ITV Soap opera Emmerdale. She was played by Kate McGregor....
. He confides in Paul that as a teenager he suffered from an eating disorder as a result of loneliness and unhappiness. During his time in Emmerdale, Jonny sets up an aerobics dance class and a fitness club.
When Grayson and Perdy have difficulties in their relationship – caused by his mother Rosemary
Rosemary King
Rosemary Venitia King is a fictional character in the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale. She was played by Linda Thorson. She made her last appearance on the show on 13 September 2007-Character's background:...
– she is sectioned, and Paul spends more time with Grayson as he acts a go between the two. Paul develops feelings for Grayson, and Jonny asks Paul to marry him. Paul accepts, but during their engagement he has a one-night stand with Grayson. When Grayson tells Paul it meant nothing to him, Paul feels guilty and tells Jonny. He manages to persuade Jonny not to leave Emmerdale and on 3 March 2008 they have their civil partnership at Hotten Registry Office. Later that day they have a ceremony at Home Farm, as neither can tell their parents they have already legally married.
After Grayson and Perdy separate, Katie Sugden
Katie Sugden
Katherine "Katie" Sugden is a fictional character in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale, and is played by Sammy Winward. She originally appeared between 2001 and 2005 and returned in 2006 and has remained in the show since.-Casting:...
gives birth to their child, who she had agreed to surrogate when they were still together. Katie had told Grayson that they would bring up the child together, without Perdy, but changes her mind when she finds out about Grayson’s relationship with Paul. Katie had not told Perdy of her plans to give the child to her, so when Katie goes into labour Perdy tells Grayson. Perdy soon runs off with the baby, but Jonny refuses to believe that Paul had not tipped Grayson off. He later does believe Paul, but he later sees Paul and Grayson hug. Although, Paul said nothing had happened and he had not reciprocated the hug, Jonny said he could no longer trust Paul and leaves the village on 31 July 2008. He later texts asking for a divorce
Divorce
Divorce is the final termination of a marital union, canceling the legal duties and responsibilities of marriage and dissolving the bonds of matrimony between the parties...
.
In January 2009, Jonny requests they close their joint bank account. Paul's friends, Lily Butterfield
Lily Butterfield
Lily Butterfield is a fictional character from the ITV soap opera Emmerdale, played by Anne Charleston. She made her first appearance on 3 November 2006. Lily is Edna Birch's estranged sister and the biological mother to Edna's son, Peter Birch...
and Leyla Harding
Leyla Harding
Leyla Harding is a fictional character from the ITV soap opera Emmerdale, played by Rokhsaneh Ghawam-Shahidi. She made her first on-screen appearance on 11 August 2008 and was introduced by series producer, Anita Turner...
, seeing how upset he is decides to try and reconcile him and Jonny. This causes Jonny's mother, Patricia, to visit the village. After initial confusion, Paul convinces Patricia that he still loves Jonny, who has moved to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. He plans to travel to Australia to try and build his relationship with Jonny, but his mother Val Pollard
Val Pollard
Valerie "Val" Pollard is a fictional character in the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale. She is played by Charlie Hardwick...
lies and tells him that Rodney has a heart condition in attempt to ensure he does not leave the village. Lily, however, gets in touch with Jonny and arranges a meeting between him and Paul. While they both still love each other, Paul tells Jonny he cannot leave Emmerdale because of his father's condition. However, on the day Jonny is due to fly out, Paul finds out his mother was lying about his father's condition, and Paul rushes to meet Jonny to fly to Australia with him.
Reception
On 3 March 2008, Paul and Jonny made British television history by becoming the first couple on a primetime soap opera to enter a civil partnership since the Civil Partnership Act 2004Civil Partnership Act 2004
The Civil Partnership Act 2004 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Bill for this Act was introduced by the Labour government and supported by the Conservative and Liberal Democrat opposition. The Act grants civil partnerships in the United Kingdom with rights and...
came into force on 5 December 2005. Although radio soap The Archers
The Archers
The Archers is a long-running British soap opera broadcast on the BBC's main spoken-word channel, Radio 4. It was originally billed as "an everyday story of country folk", but is now described on its Radio 4 web site as "contemporary drama in a rural setting"...
and daytime soap Doctors had previously featured civil partnerships, Emmerdale was the first primetime soap opera to do so. Matthew Bose, who plays Paul, said he was "proud" Emmerdale was the first, and commented that soaps "have a great responsibility to show things as they change and be cutting edge".
Sarah Ellis hip