Emmerdale Ross Barton actor Mike Parr shares real reason he’s returning after six years

Emmerdale’s Mike Parr has explained his big comeback on the ITV soap, as his character Ross Barton appeared on Monday night.

The former villager was confirmed to be Billy Fletcher’s mystery opponent in his latest unlicensed boxing match. After Billy was forced by promoter Jade to take part despite the risk to his life, he went ahead and soon Ross headed into the ring.

The episode ended as Billy and Mackenzie Boyd watched on in horror, realising what Ross had gotten himself into. But what has brought Ross back after six years away?

There’s more to be revealed including the whereabouts of his partner Rebecca White and his stepson Seb. We also do not know why Ross is fighting, and what will be the outcome of their fight.

Now actor Mike has revealed all on why he has reprised the role, commenting on his big return after the scenes aired on Monday night. He said: “It wasn’t necessarily a shock. The acting industry had been quite quiet due to the writer strikes and stuff, and I had some work on the horizon.

“So when they called, it came at a great time. But it also meant that I had some big decisions to make because I couldn’t do both of the jobs. But ultimately, Emmerdale felt like home, and it was a good storyline which they pitched to me.

“Laura Shaw, our producer, she’s very charming, and she put it all out to me, like, this is where we want it to go. This is what we want to do. It meant that I got to move back up north again. It just came at the right time.”

Mike would not go into detail about Ross’ comeback in terms of what has led to it, hinting all will be revealed very soon. He said: “I don’t think we’re actually going to give away just yet why he’s in the predicament that he is. But Ross is a very feckless character, and he’s always got an eye open for a quick buck, and there’s money to be made in this Bare Knuckle thing.

“And I also have to think about somebody with the psyche of Ross, somebody who’s lost his mum, lost his dad, lost his brother. What kind of mind frame are you in when you’ve lost all those people?

“So it’s all going to be revealed, but you just see him make his entrance being quite a prominent figure in the underground boxing world, and this is where he meets his match in Billy. All will be revealed the week after, you’ll find out where he’s been, who he’s still in touch with, and what’s been going on in his life. But I don’t want to give anything away just yet. Ross is an unsavoury character, and it’s always going to be a bit of trouble when he comes back.”