PC Luke Ashton  played by Scott Neal

First appearance    Potential for Conflict (09/12/97)     
Last appearance    # 122 (18/06/03)
Call Sign               362

Luke Ashton first arrived at Sun Hill fresh out of Hendon and being puppy walked by PC Tony Stamp. As a probationer, he was a likeable lad, excited about starting work but with little idea of what he'd let himself in for. He found his feet eventually but along the way took several dents to his confidence and began to doubt his suitability for the Job. On one of his first shifts, he tried in vain to tempt a suicidal man down from a roof, but felt devastated when he failed to prevent him from jumping to his death. After his initially bumpy ride, Ashton rediscovered his enthusiasm for the job but further mistakes and miscalculations led to his puppy walking period being extended. Despite this, he settled in and became an accepted and likeable member of the relief - although never really being allowed to forget he was the baby of the team.

Ashton clashed immediately with new PC Dale Smith on his arrival at the station in 1999. Relations between the two became strained when Smith was attacked and Ashton arrived on the scene, too late to assist. Rumours began to spread around the station that he was perhaps not really suited to the job. Ashton became determined to salvage his reputation, but after failing to prevent an ex-crack addict kill his daughter and himself, he left the Police Force, having decided he was not cut out for it.

Following his backpacking experience to Sudan he returned to Sun Hill to prove he could succeed where he failed before. He came back a more mature, stronger personality with greater self-esteem and confidence in his own abilities and judgement. His colleagues found him far less susceptible to wind-ups and able to take dangerous situations in his stride. In many ways, he saw his return to Sun Hill as a chance to wipe the slate clean.

But this time around it was more than just facing up to his policing past. Luke needed to face up to his sexuality too - and getting married to PC Kerry Young certainly didn't make things any clearer! After a battle to come to terms with his sexuality, not to mention the rest of the relief finding out he was gay, Luke once again transferred out of Sun Hill.