# Jonny Foster

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Jonny_Foster
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Jonny_Foster.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonny_Foster
> Source revision: 1351012391
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Fictional character from Emmerdale

Soap opera character

Jonny Foster Emmerdale character Portrayed by Richard Grieve Duration 2007–2009 First appearance 22 February 2007 Last appearance 27 January 2009 Created by Kathleen Beedles Introduced by Kathleen Beedles (2007) Anita Turner (2009) In-universe information Occupation Farrier Father Sam Foster Mother Patricia Foster Civil partner Paul Lambert (2008–2014)

**Jonathan** "**Jonny**" **Foster** is a fictional character from the British [ITV](/source/ITV_(TV_network)) [soap opera](/source/Soap_opera) *[Emmerdale](/source/Emmerdale)*, played by [Richard Grieve](/source/Richard_Grieve). He appeared from 2007 to 2008 and in 2009. Openly [gay](/source/Homosexuality), in 2008 Jonny enters into a [civil partnership](/source/Civil_partnership) with [Paul Lambert](/source/Paul_Lambert_(Emmerdale)) ([Mathew Bose](/source/Mathew_Bose)), 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,[1] and it was reported that Grieve had been axed by series producer [Anita Turner](/source/Anita_Turner), in addition to the axing of characters [Grayson Sinclair](/source/Grayson_Sinclair) ([Christopher Villiers](/source/Christopher_Villiers)) and [Perdita Hyde-Sinclair](/source/Perdita_Hyde-Sinclair) ([Georgia Slowe](/source/Georgia_Slowe)).[2] Before this there was already reports of low morale,[1] and the axing apparently caused friction on set.[2] At the time Grieve said that while he had "thoroughly enjoyed the role" he thought "the time is right to move on."[1]

In December 2008, it was announced that Jonny would be returning to *Emmerdale* to play a part in the departure of Paul.[3] The actor said that he "couldn't resist this opportunity" to return to the programme.[3]

## Storylines

Jonny first appears in February 2007 when he strikes up a friendly working relationship with Grayson Sinclair. Grayson's wife, Perdita Hyde-Sinclair, is worried that they are having an affair and invites Johnny to a dinner party with her friend, Paul Lambert. They get on and soon start dating. After six months together, Jonny moves into Victoria Cottage with Paul, Paul's father, [Rodney Blackstock](/source/Rodney_Blackstock) ([Patrick Mower](/source/Patrick_Mower)), and [Emily Kirk](/source/Emily_Kirk) ([Kate McGregor](/source/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 fitness club.

When [Rosemary King](/source/Rosemary_King) ([Linda Thorson](/source/Linda_Thorson)) causes problems in Grayson and Perdy's marriage, leading to Perdy being sectioned, Paul spends more time with Grayson. He acts as go-between as Perdy refuses to see Grayson and this leads to Paul developing feelings for Grayson and Jonny asks Paul to marry him. Paul accepts but has a one-night stand with Grayson. When Grayson tells Paul it meant nothing to him, Paul feels guilty and tells Jonny but persuades Jonny that it was a one-off and on 3 March 2008, they get married at Hotten Registry Office. Later that day, they have a 2nd ceremony at Home Farm as neither can tell their parents they have already married.

In July, [Katie Sugden](/source/Katie_Sugden) ([Sammy Winward](/source/Sammy_Winward)) gives birth to Grayson and Perdy's son – she agreed to be their surrogate when they were still together. Katie and Grayson agreed to raise the child together and allow Perdy access but Katie changes her mind when she finds out about Grayson and Paul's one-night stand. Katie did not tell Perdy of her plans to give her the baby, so after delivering the baby in the back of [Matthew King](/source/Matthew_King_(Emmerdale))'s (Matt Healy) car, she phones Grayson with the news but is convinced by Katie and Matthew to leave with the baby. Jonny, however, refuses to believe that Paul did not warn Grayson but is coming round until he sees Paul and Grayson hug. Although, Paul said nothing had happened and he had not reciprocated the hug, Jonny told Paul that he could no longer trust him and leaves at the end of the month. He later texts asking for a [divorce](/source/Divorce).

In January 2009, Jonny requests they close their joint bank account. Paul's friends, [Lily Butterfield](/source/Lily_Butterfield) ([Anne Charleston](/source/Anne_Charleston)) and [Leyla Harding](/source/Leyla_Harding) ([Roxy Shahidi](/source/Roxy_Shahidi)), seeing how upset he is, decide to try to reconcile him and Jonny. This causes Jonny's mother, [Patricia](/source/List_of_minor_Emmerdale_characters_(2007)#Patricia_Foster), to visit. After initial confusion, Paul convinces Patricia that he still loves Jonny, who has moved to [Australia](/source/Australia). He plans to travel to Australia to try to rebuild his relationship with Jonny, but his mother [Val Pollard](/source/Val_Pollard) ([Charlie Hardwick](/source/Charlie_Hardwick)) lies and tells him that Rodney has a heart condition, hoping to stop him leaving while Lily gets in touch with Jonny and arranges a meeting between him and Paul. While they both 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 and leaves for Australia.

## 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 2004](/source/Civil_Partnership_Act_2004) came into force on 5 December 2005. Although radio soap *[The Archers](/source/The_Archers)* and daytime soap *[Doctors](/source/Doctors_(2000_TV_series))* had previously featured civil partnerships, *Emmerdale* was the first primetime soap opera to do so.[4] [Matthew Bose](/source/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".[4]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-DS3_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-DS3_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-DS3_1-2) Kilkelly, Daniel (29 March 2008). ["'Emmerdale' stars 'unhappy' with new chief"](http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a92574/emmerdale-stars-unhappy-with-new-chief.html). [Digital Spy](/source/Digital_Spy).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-DS2_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-DS2_2-1) Hilton, Beth (4 April 2008). ["'Emmerdale' boss slammed for sacking toddler"](http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a93043/emmerdale-boss-slammed-for-sacking-toddler.html). [Digital Spy](/source/Digital_Spy).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-DS1_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-DS1_3-1) Green, Kris (8 December 2008). ["Jonny Foster to make 'Emmerdale' return"](http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a137792/jonny-foster-to-make-emmerdale-return.html). [Digital Spy](/source/Digital_Spy). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20081209234745/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a137792/jonny-foster-to-make-emmerdale-return.html) from the original on 9 December 2008. Retrieved 8 December 2008.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-record_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-record_4-1) Fulton, Rick (28 February 2008). ["I'm Proud We'll Have The First Primetime Gay Soap Wedding"](http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/entertainment-catch-all/2008/02/28/i-m-proud-we-ll-have-the-first-primetime-gay-soap-wedding-86908-20334052/). [Daily Record](/source/Daily_Record_(Scotland)).

v t e Emmerdale characters Present characters Robert Sugden Eric Pollard Kim Tate Victoria Sugden Sam Dingle Mandy Dingle Marlon Dingle Paddy Kirk Belle Dingle Charity Dingle Cain Dingle Bob Hope Rodney Blackstock Nicola King Rhona Goskirk Gabby Thomas Laurel Thomas Chas Dingle Aaron Dingle Jimmy King Sarah Sugden Moira Dingle Jai Sharma Ross Barton Bear Wolf Mary Goskirk Former characters Louise Appleton Seth Armstrong Chloe Atkinson Adam Barton Holly Barton John Barton Edna Birch Bernice Blackstock Amos Brearly Lily Butterfield Leanna Cavanagh Graham Clark Danny Daggert Toni Daggert Marcus Dean Anna De Souza Donald De Souza Miles De Souza Alice Dingle Debbie Dingle Del Dingle Eli Dingle Lisa Dingle Shadrach Dingle Tina Dingle Zak Dingle Betty Eagleton Daz Eden Nell Fairfax Liv Flaherty Adam Forsythe Ella Forster Jonny Foster Biff Fowler Linda Fowler Alicia Gallagher Dave Glover Kathy Glover Roy Glover Marshall Hamston Leyla Harding Chloe Harris Ella Hart Jamie Hope Viv Hope Billy Hopwood Rachel Hughes Perdita Hyde-Sinclair Eve Jenson Ivan Jones Meena Jutla Carl King Lexi King Matthew King Rosemary King Sadie King Tom King Emily Kirk Jason Kirk Ross Kirk Pearl Ladderbanks Lizzie Lakely Faye Lamb Ryan Lamb Paul Lambert Declan Macey Steve Marchant Paul Marsden Siobhan Marsden Suzy Merton David Metcalfe Scarlett Nicholls Lord Alex Oakwell Sam Pearson Val Pollard Hari Prasad Len Reynolds Sean Reynolds Nikhil Sharma Priya Sharma Grayson Sinclair Dolly Skilbeck Matt Skilbeck Jo Stiles Steph Stokes Andy Sugden Annie Sugden Diane Sugden Jack Sugden Joe Sugden Katie Sugden Pat Sugden Sarah Sugden Chris Tate Frank Tate Zoe Tate Ashley Thomas Jasmine Thomas Sandy Thomas Tara Thornfield Alan Turner Terence Turner Brenda Walker Gennie Walker Jackson Walsh Naomi Walters Chrissie White Henry Wilks Shelley Williams Donna Windsor Kelly Windsor Scott Windsor Vic Windsor Dawn Woods Terry Woods Amy Wyatt Maisie Wylde Mark Wylde Natasha Wylde Nathan Wylde By year 1972–1973 1974–1975 1977 1978–1979 1982–1983 1988 1989 1990 1991 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Jonny Foster](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonny_Foster) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonny_Foster?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.