James Thornton (actor)


James Thornton is an English actor and voice-over artist. He is best known for portraying John Barton on the long-running British soap opera Emmerdale from 2009 to 2012. He has been acting since 1997.

Personal life

Thornton married the actress Joanna Page in December 2003. They have three children. Four years before their marriage, they both appeared in the BBC adaptation of the Charles Dickens novel David Copperfield; he as Ham Peggotty, she as Dora Spenlow.
On 13 February 2010 Thornton was hit by a car in London and received medical treatment for leg injuries. Emmerdale producers rewrote scenes involving Thornton's character.

Selected filmography

Thornton has narrated several documentaries including Take Me to the Edge. He appeared as himself in television shows including Loose Women, and Let's Dance for Sports Relief. He has narrated and appeared in the documentary, Benefits By the Sea : Jaywick.