Noel Ashworth was the younger brother of Neville Ashworth. Noel suddenly turned up on the Ashworths' doorstep in June 2007 after being kicked out of his band for having an affair with the lead singer's pregnant girlfriend. Leaving unimpressed sister-in-law Suzanne to pay his £42.40 taxi fare, Noel showered his nephews with presents as the parents kept a close eye on the wayward uncle.
With Suzanne and Neville making subtle hints of their discomfort surrounding Noel's presence, an argument erupted and resulted in Noel revealing that he had been diagnosed with terminal liver cancer and wanted to spend his last few months with his loved ones. Whilst the family softened, Suzanne remained on edge, especially as he mentioned old times. However, the peace was soon shattered when Noel made a pass at Suzanne, witnesed by Rhys and Hannah, and further ruined by the revelation that Rhys was conceived during an affair between Suzanne and Noel.
Noel's revelation caused a massive rift, separating the family when Rhys chose Noel and turned on Neville. Rhys quickly adjusted to Noel being his "father" but Noel abandoned their outings whenever called by his latest conquest. After speaking to (half-)brother Josh, Rhys became aware of the lack of effort Noel was truly making. After getting a gig opportunity in Glasgow, Noel invited Rhys to join him, but changed his mind after separating a fight between Noel and Neville. Noel declared that coming back was a mistake and left in a taxi.
On Neville's birthday in October 2007, he received a phone call informing him that Noel had died. Out of the family, only Neville attended the funeral, and Neville, Josh and Rhys the wake. At the wake, Neville discovered that Noel had a daughter from a previous relationship and introduced Rhys to her: it was Rhys's girlfriend Beth Clements!