Caleb Milligan has experienced his fair share of drama since his first appearance on Emmerdale. The character, played by William Ash, joined the soap in 2022 as the half-brother of Cain and Charity Dingle.

The 48-year-old soap actor was born in Chadderton, near Oldham, Greater Manchester. He attended North Chadderton Comprehensive school in Oldham, alongside his Emmerdale co-star Jeff Hordley who portrays Cain Dingle.

Speaking to thge Daily Star, the actor said: “We both went to the same school, North Chadderton Comprehensive in Oldham, and had a really inspirational drama teacher called Colin Snell who not only inspired us but the likes of Nicola Stephenson and then went on to another school with Jonas Armstrong and Jenna Coleman.”

The young actor first appeared on television when he bagged himself a role on Coronation Street at just ten-years-old. He played a character named Spike for one episode in 1987. Then he returned in 2002, playing Johnny James, a criminal who attempted to hijack Rita Sullivan’s car after pulling off an armed raid at a rural post office.

He went on to appear in various dramas throughout the ’90s, such as ‘Heartbeat,’ and secured a regular spot on the show ‘Children’s Ward’ between 1989-1991. By the 2000s, he had made a name for himself appearing in BBC’s Doctor Who, followed by a three year stint on Waterloo Road. In 2022, Will first appeared on the ITV soap, Emmerdale and soon became a fan favourite.

William Ash played Christopher Meade on Waterloo Road(Image: Shed Productions/BBC)

Currently, the actor is at the heart of a gripping storyline as his wife Ruby (Beth Cordingly) killed her own father, Anthony Fox (Nicholas Day). Caleb came to a devastating realisation that he is no longer the biological father to his daughter Steph, following years of abuse which meant that Anthony was Steph’s real dad.

If that wasn’t enough drama, hot-headed Caleb is also struggling to come to terms with the fact Ruby betrayed him by sleeping with Cain, Caleb’s half-brother. In December, viewers were shocked by a flashforward scene which showed Caleb unconscious in a hospital bed. Ever since, fans have wondered who is responsible for hospitalising Caleb.

Will keeps his private life under wraps away from the limelight. He is said to live in Manchester with his two children. However, it is obvious that acting runs in the family, as his cousin has also made a prestigious name for himself on rival soap, Coronation Street.

Peter Ash portrayed Paul Foreman in Weatherfield, who met a tragic end in September after a battle with Motor Neurone Disease (MND). As Paul’s health declined, he tied the knot with his love Billy Mayhew, played by Daniel Brocklebank, and spent his final days confined to his flat. Paul passed away a year and five months post-diagnosis, earning Peter a National Television Award for Serial Drama Performance for his moving performance.