What happened to Ross Barton as he returns to Emmerdale?

This week, a well-known character has made a comeback to the village. Ross Barton, played by Michael Parr, is back in Emmerdale after a six-year absence.

Actor Michael Parr has returned to his role as the charming lead, with his new scenes set to broadcast on the ITV soap on Monday.

Although Ross' comeback had been announced earlier, the Emmerdale producers kept the specifics of how and when it would occur a secret before it aired. This left fans shocked when he made an unexpected appearance at the conclusion of the episode.

In a startling turn of events, Billy Fletcher (played by Jay Kontzle) found himself at a loss for words when he learned that his next opponent in the underground fight he had been participating in to provide for himself and his wife, Dawn Taylor (Olivia Bromley), was none other than Ross.

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If you need a summary of Ross's recent time in the village, here’s the scoop…

What Happened To Ross Barton In Emmerdale?

Ross Barton burst onto the scene in Emmerdale in 2013 in dramatic fashion by stealing Laurel Thomas’ (Charlotte Bellamy) car.

During his five years in the Dales, Ross took part in numerous intense storylines, featuring everything from affairs and heists to a contentious dognapping scheme.

In a memorable storyline back in 2015, it was revealed that Ross is the father of Charity Dingle's son, Moses Dingle, in a dramatic "Who's the father?" twist.

He then began a relationship with Charity's daughter, Debbie Dingle (played by Charley Webb), who was engaged to his brother Pete Barton (portrayed by Anthony Quinlan) at that moment.

Once Pete learned the truth, he confronted Ross in a fit of rage, thinking he had killed his brother. In a panic, he then buried what he believed to be his brother’s body in the woods close by.

In a classic soap opera twist, Ross made a dramatic comeback when it was discovered that he had actually lived and was receiving care in the hospital, leaving Pete completely astonished.

Later on, Ross wanted to get back at Pete. He abducted him and bound him to a bridge, staging it to appear as though Pete had ended his own life.

However, the siblings later experienced profound sorrow with the passing of their father, James Barton (Bill Ward), as well as the tragic deaths of their mother, Emma (Gillian Kearney), and their brother, Finn (Joe Gill), who were both murdered by their aunt, Moira Dingle (Natalie J Robb).

In a shocking twist, Ross fell victim to an acid attack when his ex, Debbie, arranged for someone to assault Joe Tate. However, things took a devastating turn when they mistakenly targeted the wrong person.

In 2018, Ross departed from the village with Rebecca White (played by Emily Head) and her son Seb, embarking on a new journey in Liverpool.

Where Has Ross Barton Been Since Emmerdale?

In a chat with Metro about his comeback to Emmerdale, Michael mentioned that viewers won't learn what Ross has been up to since his last appearance right away. However, he hinted that there would be some past connections with Rebecca that would be revealed.

He mentioned, "The writers have five whole years of events to explore! Where has he been? Was he well-behaved? What kind of drama does he bring back with him? Has he made any foes?"

Michael Parr On Ross Barton's Emmerdale Return

In discussing Ross' upcoming plotlines, Michael shared with Metro: "There's plenty of action and a great deal of fighting!"

Get ready for plenty of excitement! Ross will be right there, getting up close with people, knowing exactly how to push their buttons. He’ll be his usual charming yet troublesome, crafty self!

When discussing the character's transformation, Michael noted, "At his core, despite everything he's been through—growing up in a tough environment, constantly evading danger, dealing with complex family dynamics, and facing the loss of loved ones—he has experienced significant trauma."

"The character remains the same, but he has grown up a bit. He has experienced a lot, so while he still feels familiar, there’s a new depth to him."

Emmerdale is broadcast on weekdays at 7:30 PM on ITV1 and starts streaming at 7 AM on ITVX.

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