Emmerdale actor Ash Palmisciano, who plays Matty Barton, has shared details about his real life, including his transition, enduring street abuse, the heartbreaking loss of his mother, and his romance with girlfriend Shea Rowan. Palmisciano made his debut on the ITV soap in 2018 as the son of Moira, played by Natalie J. Robb.
From adviser to groundbreaking role
Palmisciano was originally brought in to advise soap bosses on their new transgender character via the charity All About Trans. Upon discovering he was an actor, Emmerdale bosses asked him to audition and soon cast him as Matty, making history as the first transgender character on the show. He described his casting as a "big thing" and branded his character "groundbreaking."
The 36-year-old has spoken about his own real-life transition, revealing to The Mirror that it differed hugely from Matty's. While Matty went through his transition alone, Palmisciano said he was surrounded by family and support. "My life is unlike Matty’s. I had family around me from the start, so it is definitely different. Matty’s story might not be the same as mine, but it has helped having that insight into how he might feel," the actor said.
Facing abuse and finding support
In 2024, Palmisciano bravely opened up about the senseless abuse he faces just for his identity, but highlighted how many Emmerdale fans got in touch when he joined the soap. He told The Mirror: "I’ve experienced trolling. I’ve heard horrific language and had disturbing threats. But actually, when I joined Emmerdale, I was shocked by how many people wanted to talk and share their own experiences. I keep one letter in my bag that’s so touching about the difference the character made to someone, and to their family."
Recalling one incident, he shared: "One time, a guy had clearly had a lot of alcohol, he was angry and aggressive and came up to my face and told me, ‘No matter how hard you try, you’ll never be a man. I know he’d had a lot to drink, but surely he must have known how hurtful that can be?’"
Personal grief and romance
Palmisciano suffered his own personal grief in 2022 after the death of his beloved mum aged 60, after reported complications from long-term rheumatoid arthritis. He told The Mirror: "Mum was the most important person in my life." He then expressed gratitude that Shea was able to meet his mum before she died. "I’m glad Mum got to meet her a few times before she died. We’ve been through a lot in a short space of time. I believe lockdown taught us all that you know straight away if something’s meant to be, though," he revealed.
Away from the soap, Palmisciano is in a relationship with his girlfriend Shea Rowan. The couple went Instagram official on New Year’s Eve as they rang in 2022 together. He has previously gushed over Shea for all of her support, telling OK! in 2024: "She’s really proud, and I’m very lucky to have her. She’s very level-headed and chilled-out."
However, he quipped, "Shea was a bit annoyed that I got married in the show. She helps me learn my lines and really helps me with the wedding stuff. We’re good mates with Natalie [Ann Jamieson] and her partner too - we live quite close to each other, so we all hang out together." Emmerdale airs Monday to Friday at 8:00pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
