Emmerdale fans, brace yourselves! Mike Parr, who thrilled audiences with his portrayal of bad-boy Ross Barton, has made his highly-anticipated return to the Dales. Mike reveals what drew him back to the role, along with some eyebrow-raising details about Ross’s comeback, his complicated family ties, and how he got fighting fit for the intense action scenes on set.
“Coming back to Emmerdale wasn’t exactly a shock,” he admits. “The industry was pretty quiet due to the strikes, and I had some other work lined up, but when Emmerdale reached out, it felt like the perfect opportunity. Laura Shaw, our producer, laid out this amazing storyline, and it just felt right. Plus, it’s great to be back up north again.”
Ross’s reappearance in the village is nothing short of dramatic, with a storyline that’s sure to keep viewers on edge. He’s back with a bang—this time, through an unexpected link to Billy’s new world of underground bare-knuckle boxing. “Ross is always sniffing around for a quick buck, and this bare-knuckle stuff was a no-brainer, he’s not exactly in the best headspace after losing so many people. But as he steps back into Billy’s life, he’s bound to stir things up.”
There’s also tension between Ross and Billy over Billy’s wife, Dawn, with Mike hinting that jealousy could fuel a serious rivalry. “There’s always drama if a love interest is involved, Ross has met his match with Billy—he’s younger, more athletic, and it’s a young man’s game now. So, it’s as much about Ross questioning his own stamina as it is about rivalry.”
While Mike is tight-lipped on all the details of Ross’s time away from the village, he does confirm that “all will be revealed,” especially about his role as a father. “Ross is trying to do right by Moses, but with his own traumatic past, he’s his own worst enemy. He’s that Nietzsche quote in action: ‘Under peaceful conditions, the warlike man attacks himself.’ That’s Ross in a nutshell.”
As for his physical transformation, Mike credited his lifelong love for martial arts and the gym for getting him through the grueling fight scenes. “I’ve been training in martial arts since I was 19, and being fit has really helped me tackle these intense scenes. Filming was tough, with long days and repeated movements, but the training pays off on screen.” After overcoming significant injuries, including a broken ankle and sciatic nerve issues, he is well-versed in the physical demands of action roles. “Fitness keeps me balanced mentally too. It’s my way of staying sharp.”
And as for catching up with old castmates, he couldn’t be happier. “I’ve got a real soft spot for Jeff Hordley [Cain]. We bump into each other at Glastonbury every year, and he’s always got the best music recommendations,” Mike shared. “Seeing everyone again and hearing their stories has been fantastic.”
Emmerdale continues at 7.30pm on ITV1 tomorrow
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