List of Minor Emmerdale Characters (2000) - Bishop George Postlethwaite

George Postlethwaite, Bishop of Skipdale is the local bishop and Ashley Thomas' boss. He has appeared from 2000 to 2010 and was often known as Bishop George.

When Ashley decides he wants to marry Laurel Potts, George is against the marriage as he believes that Ashley is rushing into things. Ashley announced his resignation from the priesthood - so he could marry - to the shock of the Bishop. Ashley later withdraws his resignation, causing George to once again say that Ashley is quick to make decisions. Eventually, the Bishop gives his approval and marries the couple in November 2005. Among the ceremonies he has conducted include the marriage of Tom King and Rosemary Sinclair on Christmas Day 2006 and the baptism of the Hope twins in May 2007. He also appears to judge village competitions.

When the death of his housekeeper leaves George lonely, Laurel tries to matchmake him with Emily Kirk, despite the age gap between the two. While Emily and George spend more time with each other, he is persuading her to become a priest. In October 2008, Bishop George announces that Emmerdale's village church, St. Mary's, is to close due to low attendance at services. The congregation, organised by Nicola De Souza, start a village choir and enter a competition, where they win an effort award. However, the church is still to be sold to Eric Pollard and the last service will be on Christmas Day 2008. However, on Christmas Day, Nicola organises a sit-in at the Church and invites all the press including Calendar. This causes Eric to pull out of buying the site, and the Bishop tells Ashley the following day that he may continue services in the church until a new buyer is found. He returns in January to tell the Thomas' that the church has been bought and they must be prepared to leave. However, the following day the church's new owners, Mark and Natasha Wylde, give the church back to the community and Ashley keeps his job. In February 2009, he visits the village when Ashley and Laurel have to tell him that Jasmime has run away after murdering someone while Laurel is being charged with perverting the course of justice. He appears frequently appears during Sally Spode's time in the village. Her husband was a vicar who he thought was abusing her so sent him to a health retreat. In 2010, he realises that it is Sally who is ruining the Thomas family's lives and apologises.