EMMERDALE star Ash Palmisciano went public with his girlfriend in adorable New Year’s Eve snap.
The actor – who plays Matty Barton in the ITV soap – shared the loved-up pic to Instagram as the happy couple rang in the new year.
Dressed up as Joe Exotic from Tiger King, Ash smiled up to the camera happily as his blonde girlfriend, Shea Rowan leaned on his shoulder.
“Happy new year everyone! Thank god this girl was too polite to say no to a drink (even though I was dressed as joe exotic) ha wishing a fantastic 2022 to everyone #NYE#MyLove,” he captioned the post.
Ash’s fans loved the couple’s Instagram debut and wished them happy returns for the new year.
“That a lovely picture of you both, happy new year, 
,” wrote one fan.
Another commented: “Happy New Year to you Ash and your girlfriend and family 
Hope you all have a wonderful night Xxxx”
And a third wrote: “Happy new you too!! love you both…”
Ash joined Emmerdale as the soap’s first transgender character in 2018.
Matty is Moira Barton’s child, who previously appeared on the show as Hannah.
When he returned to Butler’s Farm, Cain mistook him for an intruder and punched him.
Moira instantly recognised him but struggled to accept his new appearance and criticised him for missing his sister Holly’s funeral.
She said: “My Hannah was sweet and kind and she would have been there for her family in our year from hell but you abandoned us, you abandoned me.
“Now I can’t even recognise my own child anymore so go, it’s not like you want to be here.”
Ash has previously starred in Boy Meets Girl, where he played Alex.
He also played the role of Andrew in Mum and in 2017 played Jack in the theatre production of Summer in London at Theatre Royal Stratford East.
Ash said of his new Emmerdale role: “I’m very excited to be joining the very welcoming Emmerdale family.
“From nervous auditions to now working alongside the team daily has been truly amazing.
“Matty’s a ground breaking character to play and I can’t wait to see what’s ahead for him.”
