Aaron Livesy
Encyclopedia
Aaron Livesy is a fictional character
from the British ITV
soap opera
Emmerdale
, played by Danny Miller
, who took over the role from Danny Webb
in 2008. He made his first on-screen appearance on 24 December 2003. Aaron is the son of Chastity Dingle
and Gordon Livesy. His storylines have included being involved with the criminal McFarlane family, making a pass at his best friend, Adam Barton
, coming to terms with his homosexuality
, and his relationship with Jackson Walsh
. In November 2011, Miller announced that he would be leaving Emmerdale in 2012.
(Lucy Pargeter
), separated and Chas left her son to live with his father and Gordon's second wife, Sandra (Janet Bamford). Aaron visits his mother in Emmerdale, where he tells her that he resents her for not raising him and explains that he feels that she abandoned him. The two begin to bond, before Aaron returns home to his father. Aaron returns to visit Chas, but she reprimands him after she catches him talking to other people about her behind her back. Louise Appleton
(Emily Symons
) witnesses Chas slapping Aaron and tells Gordon when he arrives to collect his son. Gordon tells Chas that her relationship with her son is over and that Aaron will not visit her again. Despite this, Aaron returns to Emmerdale several months later, staying longer than expected as he came into contact with a person who had German measles and Sandra was pregnant. Aaron returns home to his father and his stepmother, after telling Chas that while she was in the Army, her partner Carl King
(Tom Lister
) had a one night stand with her cousin, Del Dingle
(Hayley Tamaddon
).
(Samuel Anderson
) for possession of drugs. He is cautioned and meets his mother. Aaron later runs away and Gordon reveals that he threw Aaron out for hitting Sandra. Chas's family learn that Aaron is a drug courier for the McFarlanes and they bring him to Emmerdale, after Gordon refuses to take him back. Aaron clashes with Victoria Sugden
(Isabel Hodgins
), but they eventually become friends and Aaron helps rescue her when she falls into a frozen lake. After Aaron convinces his cousin, Belle Dingle
(Eden Taylor-Draper
), to take the day off school and is caught stealing, her mother Lisa
(Jane Cox
) throws him out. So he and Chas move into Smithy Cottage with Paddy Kirk
(Dominic Brunt
), until he catches Aaron selling drugs. Aaron gets a job at the garage.
Aaron begins dating Victoria and loses his virginity to her but they break up when he discovers her relationship with her foster-brother, Daz Eden. Aaron then dates Holly Barton
(Sophie Powles
) and make friends with her brother, Adam
(Adam Thomas
). When Aaron ignites a bale of hay at the Bartons' farm, Holly's father, John (James Thornton
), hits him and locks him in a stable. Aaron reports John to the police but drops the charges. Aaron discovers that Chas has resumed her relationship with Carl and he tells her that he wants nothing more to do with her. After Aaron and Adam are involved in a run-off-road collision
, Aaron tries to kiss Adam. Aaron is embarrassed and tells Adam that he misunderstood the situation. Aaron sleeps with Holly and Adam tells his family that he thinks Aaron is gay. Adam tells Aaron that he is fine with him being gay, but he does not want his sister to be used. Aaron denies it but Holly ends their relationship.
Aaron visits a gay bar and meets Jackson Walsh
(Marc Silcock
). He leaves his phone behind and Jackson returns it. Aaron returns to the bar to meet Jackson. When Paddy discovers that Aaron visited a gay bar, he asks Aaron if he is gay and Aaron attacks him. Aaron apologises and admits that he is gay but rejects his sexuality. Jackson comes to the village and he and Aaron talk. They go to kiss, but are interrupted. After a night out at the bar, Jackson and Aaron kiss. Jackson comes to The Woolpack
and when he touches Aaron's arm, Aaron punches him. Aaron is charged with ABH and told he will stand trial. Aaron tries to kill himself by inhaling car fumes, but his uncle, Cain Dingle
(Jeff Hordley
), and Adam drag him outside. During his court case, Aaron admits that he is gay. Aaron gets community service. He meets Wayne Dobson (Gary Hanks), who taunts him about his sexuality. Jackson witnesses Aaron being threatened by Wayne and protects him. After talking things through, Aaron and Jackson begin a relationship.
Aaron sells a clocked car to Mickey Hall (Lee Oakes). Aaron uses his dog, Clyde, to try to intimidate Mickey, but Mickey sets his own dog on Clyde, seriously injuring him, so Clyde has to be put down. Jackson and Aaron argue and Jackson tells Aaron that he loves him. Aaron believe things are becoming too serious for him and the pair do not talk for days. Aaron and Jackson invite Paddy and Marlon Dingle
(Mark Charnock
) on a night out. Jackson is hurt when Aaron does not admit he loves him too and after realising that Aaron will not change his violent tendencies, Jackson drives off. Aaron tries to ring him and later finds Jackson has crashed his van onto a railway and has been hit by a train. Jackson is permanently paralysed from the shoulders down and Aaron tells him that he will not walk again as Jackson's mother, Hazel (Pauline Quirke
), cannot do it.
Jackson blames Aaron for the crash and they break up. Aaron then refuses to see Jackson, even when Hazel asks him to. Aaron and Jackson get back together and Aaron helps Jackson and Hazel move into Dale Head. Jackson's mood starts to deteriorate and he pushes Aaron away. Aaron meets Flynn Buchanan (Ryan Prescott) and he feels like he is cheating on Jackson. Aaron tells Flynn about Jackson and that he cannot forget about him. Aaron then tells Jackson that he loves him. Aaron watches Jackson's video diary and is shocked to hear Jackson admit that he wants to die, he tells Hazel and they try to work out how to help Jackson. Aaron confesses to Jackson that both he and Hazel have watched his video diary. Aaron and Hazel then become determined to show Jackson that he has a life worth living. Jackson is admitted to hospital with a chest infection and it strengthens his resolve to end his life. Jackson, Aaron and Hazel go to Whitby and Aaron books Jackson on a tandem skydive. Aaron thinks Jackson has changed his mind about dying, but he has not. Aaron is shocked to learn that Jackson has managed to convince Hazel to help him end his life. Jackson later promises Aaron that nothing is going to happen until Aaron is ready. Jackson breaks up with Aaron to make the process easier and Aaron agrees to help Jackson end his life. Jackson tells his mother and Aaron how grateful he is for their support and when Hazel cannot give Jackson the pills, Aaron takes the cup and gives it to Jackson. Jackson then dies and Aaron runs through the village. He then tells Adam that Jackson is dead and what he did.
The police investigate Jackson's death and arrest Aaron for murder. Aaron is forced to miss the funeral as he is due in court. He is released on bail and he goes to Jackson's grave to say goodbye. At his trial, Aaron is found not guilty of murder. However, Aaron blames himself for Jackson's death and he starts lashing out at people. Aaron breaks into Carl's house with the intention of getting arrested, but Carl does not press charges. Aaron then begins self harming.
, who previously appeared in Grange Hill
, successfully auditioned for the role of Aaron. Miller admitted in an interview that he would have quit acting for good if he had not landed the role.
(Chas Dingle
) said "Aaron's an absolute pain in the arse for Chas. Danny Miller, who plays him, is brilliant. He gives so much and he's only young".
. As the storyline progressed, Aaron was seen struggling to come to terms with his sexuality, before admitting the truth to his friend and guardian Paddy Kirk
(Dominic Brunt
). Miller admits that he was apprehensive when the Emmerdale writers approached him and told him they were making Aaron gay. Miller said "Being a straight actor and having to kiss another lad, I'm not going to lie, I was a bit worried about it, because it's a great test of your acting skills. Miller's co-star, Dominic Brunt has praised the storyline and told Media and Entertainment website, Digital Spy
, that "It's done more realistically than I've seen in a soap." He went on to describe Aaron as being a homophobic homosexual, who doesn't like what he is. Miller has stated that he is enjoying the challenge presented by the storyline saying "It's definitely been a big challenge - I feel a big responsibility to get this right and portray it in a way that makes it real, because there are so many lads that are going through what Aaron is going through". Miller's co-star James Sutton
, who previously played a gay character in Hollyoaks
, has said that Miller did not need any advice for the role and said, "We've chatted but I've given him no advice - he's a great actor, he doesn't need me to give him any pointers".
Emmerdale producer Gavin Blyth explained the gay plotline to Miller saying, "There are hundreds of thousands of teenage lads out there who are struggling with it as we speak - they're sexually confused". He also added "Aaron keeps it in so much because he's worried about what people think of him". Miller has admitted that he felt "awkward" and "strange" when he filmed an intimate moment with his Emmerdale co-star Adam Thomas
, who is his real-life flatmate. He said "You'd never think yourself to be in the position that these two are in. Knowing myself and knowing Adam and his long-term girlfriend, he's the last person you'd expect in that position."
in 2009. Miller won the "Best Actor" award at the 2011 British Soap Awards
, he was also nominated for "Sexiest Male". Miller was nominated in the category of "Serial Drama Performance" at the 2012 National Television Awards
.
Holy Soap
said Aaron's most memorable moment was "His realisation about his sexuality and the emotional scenes where he told Paddy the truth."
Danny Miller has said that he has been verbally abused in public for portraying a bad boy and a homosexual. He stated some viewers initially find it difficult to differentiate between character and actor. Miller said, "I get the odd bit of trouble here and there but nothing that I can't handle. I get people shouting stuff, names in the street, but nothing serious." He added, "There are people who think I'm the character but when they realise you're not they warm to you."
Fictional character
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...
from the British ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
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 Danny Miller
Danny Miller (actor)
Daniel Benedict "Danny" Miller is an English actor from Bredbury, Stockport, Greater Manchester, best-known for his role as Aaron Livesy in ITV soap opera Emmerdale.-Career:...
, who took over the role from Danny Webb
Danny Webb (child actor)
Daniel Webb is a young British actor who was the first actor to play Aaron Livesy in the British TV show Emmerdale....
in 2008. He made his first on-screen appearance on 24 December 2003. Aaron is the son of Chastity Dingle
Chas Dingle
Chastity "Chas" Dingle is a fictional character in the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale, played by Lucy Pargeter.-Storylines:...
and Gordon Livesy. His storylines have included being involved with the criminal McFarlane family, making a pass at his best friend, Adam Barton
Adam Barton (Emmerdale)
For the English footballer see Adam BartonAdam Barton is a fictional character from the British soap opera Emmerdale, played by Adam Thomas. He made his first on-screen appearance on 17 July 2009...
, coming to terms with his homosexuality
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
, and his relationship with Jackson Walsh
Jackson Walsh
Jackson Walsh is a fictional character from the British soap opera Emmerdale, played by Marc Silcock. He made his first on-screen appearance on 22 March 2010. The character was introduced as a love interest for the established Aaron Livesy and Jackson became central to Aaron's coming out storyline...
. In November 2011, Miller announced that he would be leaving Emmerdale in 2012.
2003–06
When Aaron was young, his parents, Gordon Livesy (Gordon Fletcher) and Chas DingleChas Dingle
Chastity "Chas" Dingle is a fictional character in the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale, played by Lucy Pargeter.-Storylines:...
(Lucy Pargeter
Lucy Pargeter
Lucy Kate Pargeter is an English actress. She is best known for playing Helen Raven in Crossroads and Chastity Dingle in Emmerdale.-Early years:Lucy trained at the Central Junior Television Workshop...
), separated and Chas left her son to live with his father and Gordon's second wife, Sandra (Janet Bamford). Aaron visits his mother in Emmerdale, where he tells her that he resents her for not raising him and explains that he feels that she abandoned him. The two begin to bond, before Aaron returns home to his father. Aaron returns to visit Chas, but she reprimands him after she catches him talking to other people about her behind her back. Louise Appleton
Louise Appleton
Louise Appleton is a fictional character in the British soap opera Emmerdale played by Emily Symons. Aussie Louise arrived in the village as a temporary barmaid and ended up as co-landlady with best friend Diane Sugden, before selling to Diane's sister Val Lambert in 2006...
(Emily Symons
Emily Symons
Emily Symons is an Australian actress.Symons's mother remarried when she was just four years old and Symons did not see her biological, English father again until ten years later. She left school before finishing her exams and launched herself into the acting world...
) witnesses Chas slapping Aaron and tells Gordon when he arrives to collect his son. Gordon tells Chas that her relationship with her son is over and that Aaron will not visit her again. Despite this, Aaron returns to Emmerdale several months later, staying longer than expected as he came into contact with a person who had German measles and Sandra was pregnant. Aaron returns home to his father and his stepmother, after telling Chas that while she was in the Army, her partner Carl King
Carl King (Emmerdale)
Carl Thomas King is a fictional character appearing on the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale. He is portrayed by Tom Lister and made his first appearance on 6 February 2004....
(Tom Lister
Tom Lister
Tom Lister is an English actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Carl King on the British soap opera Emmerdale.-Background:...
) had a one night stand with her cousin, Del Dingle
Del Dingle
Delilah "Del" Dingle, played by Hayley Tamaddon, sped into Emmerdale in July 2005 in a flash red sports car, wearing a wedding dress and refusing to explain why she was there...
(Hayley Tamaddon
Hayley Tamaddon
Hayley Tamaddon , is an English actress of Iranian descent, who is most notable for portraying Delilah Dingle in ITV's Emmerdale and winning ITV's Dancing on Ice on 28 March 2010.-Background:...
).
2008–12
Aaron returns to the village two years later when arrested by Ross KirkRoss Kirk
Ross Kirk is a fictional character in the British soap opera Emmerdale played by Samuel Anderson. He appeared from 2007 to 2009. A cousin of Paddy Kirk, Ross is a police officer and during his 15 months in the village he has an affair with Donna Windsor-Dingle, and is imprisoned after being charged...
(Samuel Anderson
Samuel Anderson (actor)
Samuel Anderson is an English actor. He played the role of police officer Ross Kirk in Emmerdale up until early 2009.He originated the role of Crowther in the 2004 National Theatre production of Alan Bennett's play The History Boys and subsequently performed the same role in the Broadway, Sydney,...
) for possession of drugs. He is cautioned and meets his mother. Aaron later runs away and Gordon reveals that he threw Aaron out for hitting Sandra. Chas's family learn that Aaron is a drug courier for the McFarlanes and they bring him to Emmerdale, after Gordon refuses to take him back. Aaron clashes with Victoria Sugden
Victoria Sugden
Victoria Anne Sugden is a fictional character in the British soap opera Emmerdale originally played by Jessica Heywood, then Hannah Midgley and currently Isabel Hodgins.-1994–:...
(Isabel Hodgins
Isabel Hodgins
Isabel Victoria Hodgins is an English actress.She is best-known for portraying tearaway teenager Victoria Sugden in the ITV1 soap opera Emmerdale, produced by ITV Yorkshire. As of 2011 she continues to play the role and attend St. Patrick's R.C...
), but they eventually become friends and Aaron helps rescue her when she falls into a frozen lake. After Aaron convinces his cousin, Belle Dingle
Belle Dingle
Belle Lisa Dingle is a fictional character from the ITV soap opera Emmerdale. She was originally played by Emily Mather from 1998 until 2005, but is now played by Eden Taylor-Draper.-1998-2005:...
(Eden Taylor-Draper
Eden Taylor-Draper
Eden Elenor Taylor-Draper is an English child actor. She plays Belle Dingle in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale, a role she took over from Emily Mather in 2005.-Emmerdale:...
), to take the day off school and is caught stealing, her mother Lisa
Lisa Dingle
Lisa May Dingle is a fictional character in the British soap opera Emmerdale played by Jane Cox.-Casting:Lisa Clegg was first introduced by producer Mervyn Watson in 1996 who cast Jane Cox for the role...
(Jane Cox
Jane Cox
Jane Cox is an English actress well known for her part in ITV's Emmerdale as farmer's wife Lisa Dingle.She lives in the former mill town of Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire and trained at Rose Bruford College....
) throws him out. So he and Chas move into Smithy Cottage with Paddy Kirk
Paddy Kirk
Patrick Frederick "Paddy" Kirk is a fictional character in the British soap opera Emmerdale played by Dominic Brunt. Paddy demonstrates the dedication of the soap's writers towards maintaining a comedic tone in plotlines. While he has appeared at the centre of some grave storylines, Paddy is often...
(Dominic Brunt
Dominic Brunt
Dominic Brunt is an English actor known for his part in ITV's Emmerdale as vet Paddy Kirk. He was educated at Accrington Moorhead Sports College....
), until he catches Aaron selling drugs. Aaron gets a job at the garage.
Aaron begins dating Victoria and loses his virginity to her but they break up when he discovers her relationship with her foster-brother, Daz Eden. Aaron then dates Holly Barton
Holly Barton
Holly Barton is a fictional character from the British soap opera Emmerdale, played by Sophie Powles. She made her first on-screen appearance on 17 July 2009. Holly was introduced to the soap as part of the Bartons, a new farming family who took over the running of Butler's Farm. Holly was joined...
(Sophie Powles
Sophie Powles
Sophie Powles , originally from Cleethorpes, a seaside town in North East Lincolnshire, is an English actress most famous for her role as Holly Barton in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale.-Career:...
) and make friends with her brother, Adam
Adam Barton (Emmerdale)
For the English footballer see Adam BartonAdam Barton is a fictional character from the British soap opera Emmerdale, played by Adam Thomas. He made his first on-screen appearance on 17 July 2009...
(Adam Thomas
Adam Thomas
For the Welsh rugby union player see Adam Thomas Adam Thomas is a British actor, currently starring in British ITV soap opera Emmerdale as Adam Barton well known for his role in BBC drama Waterloo Road as Donte Charles-Career:It was in 2002, at the age of 15, that Adam started his television career...
). When Aaron ignites a bale of hay at the Bartons' farm, Holly's father, John (James Thornton
James Thornton (actor)
James Thornton is an English actor and Voice-over artist.-Early life and career:Thornton was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire. He starred in the BBC One police series Holby Blue and currently appears as John Barton in the British soap opera Emmerdale...
), hits him and locks him in a stable. Aaron reports John to the police but drops the charges. Aaron discovers that Chas has resumed her relationship with Carl and he tells her that he wants nothing more to do with her. After Aaron and Adam are involved in a run-off-road collision
Run-off-road collision
A run-off-road collision is a type of single-vehicle accident that occurs when a vehicle leaves the roadway. Contributing factors often include loss of control or mis-judging a curve, or attempting to avoid colliding with another road user or an animal...
, Aaron tries to kiss Adam. Aaron is embarrassed and tells Adam that he misunderstood the situation. Aaron sleeps with Holly and Adam tells his family that he thinks Aaron is gay. Adam tells Aaron that he is fine with him being gay, but he does not want his sister to be used. Aaron denies it but Holly ends their relationship.
Aaron visits a gay bar and meets Jackson Walsh
Jackson Walsh
Jackson Walsh is a fictional character from the British soap opera Emmerdale, played by Marc Silcock. He made his first on-screen appearance on 22 March 2010. The character was introduced as a love interest for the established Aaron Livesy and Jackson became central to Aaron's coming out storyline...
(Marc Silcock
Marc Silcock
Marco "Marc" Silcock is an English actor, best known for his portrayal of Jackson Walsh in the British soap opera Emmerdale.-Career:Silcock studied acting at City College, Manchester and has a Diploma in Performing Arts....
). He leaves his phone behind and Jackson returns it. Aaron returns to the bar to meet Jackson. When Paddy discovers that Aaron visited a gay bar, he asks Aaron if he is gay and Aaron attacks him. Aaron apologises and admits that he is gay but rejects his sexuality. Jackson comes to the village and he and Aaron talk. They go to kiss, but are interrupted. After a night out at the bar, Jackson and Aaron kiss. Jackson comes to The Woolpack
The Woolpack
This article is about the soap opera. Click the link for the Cumulus cloud formation synonym.The Woolpack is a fictional public house on the popular ITV soap opera Emmerdale. Its sign is a wool bale, a popular symbol in sheep-rearing country. It has played host to many of the soap's storylines and...
and when he touches Aaron's arm, Aaron punches him. Aaron is charged with ABH and told he will stand trial. Aaron tries to kill himself by inhaling car fumes, but his uncle, Cain Dingle
Cain Dingle
Cain Dingle is a fictional character in the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale. He is played by Jeff Hordley.-Character creation:In 2000 series producer Kieran Roberts introduced three new members of the Dingle family. The new characters were introduced to the regular cast in 2000, who first arrived...
(Jeff Hordley
Jeff Hordley
Jeff Hordley is an English actor most notable for playing Cain Dingle in ITV's long-running soap opera Emmerdale.-Early life:...
), and Adam drag him outside. During his court case, Aaron admits that he is gay. Aaron gets community service. He meets Wayne Dobson (Gary Hanks), who taunts him about his sexuality. Jackson witnesses Aaron being threatened by Wayne and protects him. After talking things through, Aaron and Jackson begin a relationship.
Aaron sells a clocked car to Mickey Hall (Lee Oakes). Aaron uses his dog, Clyde, to try to intimidate Mickey, but Mickey sets his own dog on Clyde, seriously injuring him, so Clyde has to be put down. Jackson and Aaron argue and Jackson tells Aaron that he loves him. Aaron believe things are becoming too serious for him and the pair do not talk for days. Aaron and Jackson invite Paddy and Marlon Dingle
Marlon Dingle
Marlon Sebastian Dingle is a fictional character in the British soap opera Emmerdale played by Mark Charnock. -1996–:...
(Mark Charnock
Mark Charnock
Mark Charnock is an English actor best known for his part in ITV's Emmerdale as lanky chef Marlon Dingle.-Biography:...
) on a night out. Jackson is hurt when Aaron does not admit he loves him too and after realising that Aaron will not change his violent tendencies, Jackson drives off. Aaron tries to ring him and later finds Jackson has crashed his van onto a railway and has been hit by a train. Jackson is permanently paralysed from the shoulders down and Aaron tells him that he will not walk again as Jackson's mother, Hazel (Pauline Quirke
Pauline Quirke
Pauline Perpetua Quirke is a British actress. She is best known for her role as Sharon in the comedy series Birds of a Feather, alongside her lifelong friend and frequent acting partner Linda Robson...
), cannot do it.
Jackson blames Aaron for the crash and they break up. Aaron then refuses to see Jackson, even when Hazel asks him to. Aaron and Jackson get back together and Aaron helps Jackson and Hazel move into Dale Head. Jackson's mood starts to deteriorate and he pushes Aaron away. Aaron meets Flynn Buchanan (Ryan Prescott) and he feels like he is cheating on Jackson. Aaron tells Flynn about Jackson and that he cannot forget about him. Aaron then tells Jackson that he loves him. Aaron watches Jackson's video diary and is shocked to hear Jackson admit that he wants to die, he tells Hazel and they try to work out how to help Jackson. Aaron confesses to Jackson that both he and Hazel have watched his video diary. Aaron and Hazel then become determined to show Jackson that he has a life worth living. Jackson is admitted to hospital with a chest infection and it strengthens his resolve to end his life. Jackson, Aaron and Hazel go to Whitby and Aaron books Jackson on a tandem skydive. Aaron thinks Jackson has changed his mind about dying, but he has not. Aaron is shocked to learn that Jackson has managed to convince Hazel to help him end his life. Jackson later promises Aaron that nothing is going to happen until Aaron is ready. Jackson breaks up with Aaron to make the process easier and Aaron agrees to help Jackson end his life. Jackson tells his mother and Aaron how grateful he is for their support and when Hazel cannot give Jackson the pills, Aaron takes the cup and gives it to Jackson. Jackson then dies and Aaron runs through the village. He then tells Adam that Jackson is dead and what he did.
The police investigate Jackson's death and arrest Aaron for murder. Aaron is forced to miss the funeral as he is due in court. He is released on bail and he goes to Jackson's grave to say goodbye. At his trial, Aaron is found not guilty of murder. However, Aaron blames himself for Jackson's death and he starts lashing out at people. Aaron breaks into Carl's house with the intention of getting arrested, but Carl does not press charges. Aaron then begins self harming.
Casting
Aaron first appeared in Emmerdale as a recurring character in 2003 and was played by Danny Webb. In 2008 the character became a full time member of the cast and the decision was made to recast the part. Danny MillerDanny Miller (actor)
Daniel Benedict "Danny" Miller is an English actor from Bredbury, Stockport, Greater Manchester, best-known for his role as Aaron Livesy in ITV soap opera Emmerdale.-Career:...
, who previously appeared in Grange Hill
Grange Hill
Grange Hill is a British television drama series originally made by the BBC. The show began in 1978 on BBC1 and was one of the longest running programmes on British television...
, successfully auditioned for the role of Aaron. Miller admitted in an interview that he would have quit acting for good if he had not landed the role.
Characterisation
Violent, angry and always in trouble, the character quickly established himself as the 'baddest' of bad boys. Describing Aaron, Lucy PargeterLucy Pargeter
Lucy Kate Pargeter is an English actress. She is best known for playing Helen Raven in Crossroads and Chastity Dingle in Emmerdale.-Early years:Lucy trained at the Central Junior Television Workshop...
(Chas Dingle
Chas Dingle
Chastity "Chas" Dingle is a fictional character in the British ITV soap opera Emmerdale, played by Lucy Pargeter.-Storylines:...
) said "Aaron's an absolute pain in the arse for Chas. Danny Miller, who plays him, is brilliant. He gives so much and he's only young".
Sexuality
A high profile storyline for the character was when he began to question his sexual orientationSexual orientation
Sexual orientation describes a pattern of emotional, romantic, or sexual attractions to the opposite sex, the same sex, both, or neither, and the genders that accompany them. By the convention of organized researchers, these attractions are subsumed under heterosexuality, homosexuality,...
. As the storyline progressed, Aaron was seen struggling to come to terms with his sexuality, before admitting the truth to his friend and guardian Paddy Kirk
Paddy Kirk
Patrick Frederick "Paddy" Kirk is a fictional character in the British soap opera Emmerdale played by Dominic Brunt. Paddy demonstrates the dedication of the soap's writers towards maintaining a comedic tone in plotlines. While he has appeared at the centre of some grave storylines, Paddy is often...
(Dominic Brunt
Dominic Brunt
Dominic Brunt is an English actor known for his part in ITV's Emmerdale as vet Paddy Kirk. He was educated at Accrington Moorhead Sports College....
). Miller admits that he was apprehensive when the Emmerdale writers approached him and told him they were making Aaron gay. Miller said "Being a straight actor and having to kiss another lad, I'm not going to lie, I was a bit worried about it, because it's a great test of your acting skills. Miller's co-star, Dominic Brunt has praised the storyline and told Media and Entertainment website, Digital Spy
Digital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
, that "It's done more realistically than I've seen in a soap." He went on to describe Aaron as being a homophobic homosexual, who doesn't like what he is. Miller has stated that he is enjoying the challenge presented by the storyline saying "It's definitely been a big challenge - I feel a big responsibility to get this right and portray it in a way that makes it real, because there are so many lads that are going through what Aaron is going through". Miller's co-star James Sutton
James Sutton (actor)
James Sutton is an English television actor, best known for playing the parts of John Paul McQueen in the British Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks and Ryan Lamb in the ITV soap Emmerdale.-Personal life:...
, who previously played a gay character in Hollyoaks
Hollyoaks
Hollyoaks is a long-running British television soap opera, first broadcast on Channel 4 on 23 October 1995. It was originally devised by Phil Redmond, who has also devised shows including Brookside and Grange Hill...
, has said that Miller did not need any advice for the role and said, "We've chatted but I've given him no advice - he's a great actor, he doesn't need me to give him any pointers".
Emmerdale producer Gavin Blyth explained the gay plotline to Miller saying, "There are hundreds of thousands of teenage lads out there who are struggling with it as we speak - they're sexually confused". He also added "Aaron keeps it in so much because he's worried about what people think of him". Miller has admitted that he felt "awkward" and "strange" when he filmed an intimate moment with his Emmerdale co-star Adam Thomas
Adam Thomas
For the Welsh rugby union player see Adam Thomas Adam Thomas is a British actor, currently starring in British ITV soap opera Emmerdale as Adam Barton well known for his role in BBC drama Waterloo Road as Donte Charles-Career:It was in 2002, at the age of 15, that Adam started his television career...
, who is his real-life flatmate. He said "You'd never think yourself to be in the position that these two are in. Knowing myself and knowing Adam and his long-term girlfriend, he's the last person you'd expect in that position."
Departure
On 18 November 2011, Miller announced he would be leaving Emmerdale in 2012. Of his decision to leave, Miller said "It has been an incredibly difficult decision but after three years playing Aaron and much soul-searching, I am eager to explore other roles. I am so grateful to Emmerdale for the opportunity that I have been given and have loved every moment. I will miss everyone enormously but this might not be the last we see of Aaron." Series producer Stuart Blackburn said he respected Miller's decision and was grateful for the hard work he had put into the role of Aaron.Reception
For his portrayal of Aaron, Miller was nominated for the "Best Newcomer Award" at the Inside Soap AwardsInside Soap Awards
The Inside Soap Awards is a yearly award ceremony run by Inside Soap magazine since 1996. The awards celebrate the British and Australian soap operas and their actors. Until 2007, EastEnders had won the award for "Best Soap" on every occasion...
in 2009. Miller won the "Best Actor" award at the 2011 British Soap Awards
British Soap Awards
The British Soap Awards is an annual awards ceremony to honour the best of British soap operas.The first event took place in 1999 and takes place in May each year. Although it is an ITV production, the events were held at the BBC Television Centre, in London until 2010. The 2011 awards relocated to...
, he was also nominated for "Sexiest Male". Miller was nominated in the category of "Serial Drama Performance" at the 2012 National Television Awards
National Television Awards
The National Television Awards is a British television awards ceremony, broadcast by the ITV network and initiated in 1995. The National Television Awards are the most prominent ceremony for which the results are voted on by the general public. Because of the way the awards are decided, winners are...
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Holy Soap
Holy Soap
Holy Soap is a UK television and entertainment website founded in June 2009 by the British television company Channel 5. The website is the official UK home of the Australian soap operas Home and Away and Neighbours, which are broadcast on the channel...
said Aaron's most memorable moment was "His realisation about his sexuality and the emotional scenes where he told Paddy the truth."
Danny Miller has said that he has been verbally abused in public for portraying a bad boy and a homosexual. He stated some viewers initially find it difficult to differentiate between character and actor. Miller said, "I get the odd bit of trouble here and there but nothing that I can't handle. I get people shouting stuff, names in the street, but nothing serious." He added, "There are people who think I'm the character but when they realise you're not they warm to you."
External links
- Character profile at itv.comItv.comitv.com is the main website of ITV plc, the UK's largest commercial television broadcaster which operates 11 out of 15 regions on the ITV network under the ITV1 brand. The website offers on-line streaming, ITV archive, news, sport, entertainment, games, soaps, lifestyle, drama and an interactive TV...
- Character profile at Holy SoapHoly SoapHoly Soap is a UK television and entertainment website founded in June 2009 by the British television company Channel 5. The website is the official UK home of the Australian soap operas Home and Away and Neighbours, which are broadcast on the channel...