Emmerdale star Ash Palmisciano has been a fan favourite since his debut in the show as the first ever trans man to play a leading trans male role in a UK soap.

Inspiring many – some who have reached out directly to the Matty Barton star – the 34-year-old is proud to play the everyman character who is not solely defined by his gender identity.

At the moment, his alter-ego is embroiled in a tough but very relevant story which sees Matty struggling in prison, fearing that fellow inmates will discover he is trans.

It’s one in a long line of stories that he has been thrilled to play, including a recent wedding to Amy Wyatt, played by Natalie Ann Jamieson.

Off-screen, the actor has had quite a journey too and, as part of Metro.co.uk’s Pride month coverage, he sat down with me to discuss his initial fears around coming out, the joy he has found and the privilege of being able to represent the trans community on his Emmerdale platform

Can you tell me about your experiences of Pride and what it means to you?
For me, Pride is incredibly important. I think it’s an amazing reminder that there’s a whole community out there ready to support you and sadly, in this day and age, that isn’t always the case if you’re LGBTQ+.

It’s a chance to kind of step into a world where everyone is super accepting and everyone celebrates being who you are. It’s sort of a chance to recharge and remind yourself that it’s absolutely fine to be yourself and actually it makes you unique and amazing.

It’s just really joyous, really fun and really lovely and everyone needs that, no matter who you are. Pride creates that space and I’ve always been really drawn to that, and really passionate about helping out with Prides as well.

I presented Hull Pride last year which was absolutely incredible and I’m actually doing it again this year, they’ve asked me to come back. The atmosphere was just unreal. Everyone was happy, everyone was supportive and inclusive.

It didn’t matter what you looked like or who you were, and there’s something so magical about that.

Do you remember your very first Pride?
I remember being completely overwhelmed and excited in a positive way, at how many other people there that were similar to me.It was so exciting as a younger person seeing all the colours and the parades, feeling really accepted. It was a real confidence boost, a real reminder that there’s all these amazing people who are all different – and that’s ok.

I remember it being a really fun time with all my friends and obviously we danced, we partied. Growing up then, a bit later, I first experienced trans Pride in Brighton. I’d never been to a separate trans Pride before and it was incredible.

It’s a little bit more of a protest that one, with a huge parade and a walk through the streets of Brighton. I remember standing there and it was so powerful being with so many people who had your back and were supportive, celebrating you!

I always say to anybody, ‘If you’re out there and you’re struggling with your sexuality, or your gender, Pride is a really good place to go to feel accepted and to know you’re not alone in the world.’

The first Pride following Emmerdale was in Leeds and we did the Parade with the team. The atmosphere – you can’t quite bottle it. It’s so happy and so joyous and gives you the reminder that there’s a lot of people out to support you.