Emmerdale Caleb actor’s life from famous cousin to going to school with soap co-star

William Ash has become a firm favourite on Emmerdale playing Caleb Miligan – but what do we know about his life off-screen?

The actor made his debut on the soap in 2022 as Caleb, rocking up the village as the long-lost brother of Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley). And it didn’t take Caleb long to cause some trouble.

Over the years, he’s played a part in several big storylines too, with wife Ruby Fox-Miligan (Beth Cordingly) by his side.

Away from the soap though, actor William keeps his personal life low-key. But how many kids does he have? Which Emmerdale star did he go to school with? And who is his famous cousin? Here’s everything we know about William Ash…

William’s Emmerdale co-star schoolmate

William was born on 13 January 1977, making him 49 years old and is originally from Chadderton, near Oldham in Greater Manchester.

Growing up, his father was an engineer, and his mother was a police civilian. William and his co-star Jeff Hordley, who’s most recognised as Cain Dingle from the same show, have a history that dates back to their school times.

In an interview with the Daily Star, Will revealed: “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 also the likes of Nicola Stephenson and then went on to another school with Jonas Armstrong and Jenna Coleman.”

Though Jeff was somewhat older, the duo first got to know each other while co-starring in a school play, thus sparking a friendship that has endured for years.

William’s Corrie role

William made his first TV appearance aged just 10, playing Spike in Coronation Street. He later returned to the soap in 2002 to play a different character, criminal Johnny James.

After his first Corrie stint, William went on to star as Nicky in Making Out from 1989 until 1991. He also appeared in BBC’s Waterloo Road as Christopher Mead from 2009 until 2011.

Talking about Waterloo Road, William previously told Ink Pellet: “Some teachers I’ve met have said Waterloo Road is just like this and I was shocked – it can’t be!

“I phoned my sister one day while she was at school and she answered the phone. I said, ‘you’re not in a class, are you? And she replied, ‘No Will, I wouldn’t answer the phone in class – this is not Waterloo Road!”

William’s other TV credits include Beck, Where the Heart Is, Soldier Soldier, Burn It, and Clocking Off.

William’s famous cousin

William’s love for the arts runs in his family as he is cousins with Peter Ash, a Coronation Street actor who played the character Paul Foreman.

Sadly, his character Paul was written out of the show following a heart-wrenching motor neurone disease storyline, passing away in 2024.

Reflecting on his cousin’s venture into soapland, Peter expressed his pride to The Metro: “He’s doing great work. I’m loving it. I’m loving it, go on the Ash’s”.

While William prefers to keep his personal life away from social media and public events, he is the father to two children and lives in Greater Manchester.

Emmerdale airs Monday to Friday at 8:00pm on ITV1 and ITVX