Last month, it was confirmed that Ross Barton would be making an explosive return to Emmerdale, as Michael Parr reprises his role.
Ross left the Dales in 2018 to start a new life with Rebecca White in Liverpool following the horrific acid attack.
He’ll soon be rubbing shoulders with the villagers again, but why exactly is he returning?
Speaking about his return, Michael said: “I can’t wait for the audience to see what’s in store. One thing I can say is Ross’s return will no doubt create fireworks.”
Fans have been speculating about what – or who – his return could be about. Here are our top theories!
Ross Barton is on his way back to Emmerdale (Credit: ITV)
A source told the publication that Leyla will exit in a ‘blaze of glory.’ Writing on X, a viewer asked: “Who thinks Ross’s return could have something to do with Leyla’s death in Emmerdale?”
Leyla and Ross do have a link as she was previously engaged to his brother Pete, so could Ross’s return and Leyla’s exit overlap?
Billy has got involved in illegal fighting (Credit: ITV)
2. Is Ross’s return linked to Billy’s fighting?
Another fan wrote on X: “Why do I get the feeling Billy’s fighting story is going to be the story that involves Ross‘ return?”
Recently, Billy has been keeping a secret from Dawn. He has been participating in illegal, unlicensed boxing matches in order to make extra money for his family.
Could Ross somehow be involved in this? Back in 2015, Ross got involved in bare knuckle fighting, so it’s certainly possible that he could have entered the world of boxing.
Ella arrived in Emmerdale earlier this year (Credit: ITV)
3. Could Ross team up with Ella?
Ella arrived in the village hiding a secret. When it was revealed that she’d killed her best friend when she was 11, the other villagers turned against her.
But she’s stuck around and even formed a bond with Dr Liam Cavanagh. However, fans are eager to see Liam get back with Chas, so have suggested Ella could move on with someone else – namely Ross.
“Maybe when Ross comes back, Ella could get with him,” one fan wrote on X, with another adding: “Ella needs to cop off with someone interesting. Roll on Ross returning, I could see that.”
Last time we saw Ross, he was in a relationship with Rebecca. But perhaps he returns because his relationship has broken down – could Ella be his next partner?
Why is Ross returning? (Credit: ITV)
4. Mystery guest at funeral
Emmerdale recently confirmed that a mystery person will show up at Zak’s funeral.
Jeff Hordley, who plays Cain, teased: “It’s someone you might know. They’re not going to make things go smoothly for the Dingles. Could it be someone back from the dead?”
Writing on X, a fan said: “I wonder if this major return for Zak’s funeral will be Ross Barton. We know that he’s returning to the village and he’ll probably appear by Zak’s graveside on Debbie’s behalf.”
However, the mystery person is described as being a long-lost relative, so this theory is less likely as despite having links to the Dingles through his aunt Moira and son Moses, Ross doesn’t quite fit that description.
Emmerdale: 5. Ross back for Moira?
Last month, following lots of health concerns, Moira Dingle was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Ross could be returning to support his aunt. Moira was previously married to John Barton, who was the brother of Ross’s dad, James.
One fan wrote on X: “Hope that Emmerdale remember that him and Moira were on good terms ‘cos she helped him catch his attacker.”
Aaron was questioned by the police (Credit: ITV)
Emmerdale: 6. Is Ross involved in Aaron’s side hustle?
Aaron recently had his car searched by the police after they – rightly – suspected he was involved in the theft of some smart watches.
Could Ross return and take Mack’s place? Fans certainly hope so, with one joking on X: “I was wondering if Aaron’s sudden urge to thieve somehow involves Ross as those two were a pair back in the day.”
While Ross and Aaron certainly clashed at times, they did team up to rob a warehouse. Could Ross be back to his old ways?
There is also a link in the form of Rebecca and her son Sebastian. Seb’s dad is Aaron’s former husband Robert. It’s a messy situation and certainly lots of scope for stories upon Ross’s return.
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
Visit our Facebook page @emmerdaleinsider for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think! Or find us on Twitter @emmerdaleinside
A dark cloud is set to fall over the Dingle family farm with the sad news that beloved patriarch and Emmerdale icon Zak has died. In scenes airing next week, the family will learn the shocking news after a call from Debbie, who breaks the tragic news to her devastated relatives.
Sadly, fans will have been expecting the news for some time now – following actor Steve Halliwell’s sad passing late last year. The show has finally caught up to reality, and Zak’s funeral scenes are set to air in the coming weeks.
Moira breaks the sad news to Cain (Credit: ITV)
Emmerdale spoilers: The Dingles learn that Zak has died
But, this being a Dingle family funeral, the event won’t go by without drama of its own. And recent Emmerdale spoilers have confirmed that there will be a surprise face or too at Zak’s funeral.
This was seemingly confirmed by actor Jeff Hordley, who revealed yesterday (Monday, October 7): ‘It’s someone you might know. They’re not going to make things go smoothly for the Dingles.’
But who will be paying the Dingles a visit?
Fans have long hoped for Debbie’s return to the soap (Credit: ITV)
Debbie Dingle
Of all the characters it’d make sense to return for Zak’s funeral, granddaughter Debbie – offspring of Cain and Charity – is a no-brainer.
Unfortunately, due to behind-the-scenes friction between the actress and the soap, Charley Webb’s return to Emmerdale seems unlikely at best.
However, that hasn’t stopped fans from hoping for her return.
“Debbie with a new head. How many heads has Ben Eastenders had so far last count?,” asked one fan, suggesting that producers might re-cast the character.
“Wanna say Debbie but Charley won’t be coming back unless she’s recast which is a shame cos she’s the OG Debbie,” bemoaned another.
Could a ghostly Lisa return to see Zak off? (Credit: ITV)
Lisa Dingle
Interestingly, Jeff hinted that the returning character could be someone coming back from the dead. While an EastEnders-style resurrection seems unlikely, Zak’s beloved wife Lisa could return in a poignant graveside cameo.
“Maybe the return is Lisa the ghost like when Jack appeared at his funeral but obviously Jane can film a scene in person. I’d love a scene between Lisa and Belle,” suggested one fan.
Emily is one of the soap’s most beloved characters (Credit: ITV/YouTube)
Emily Kirk
Mild-mannered Emily was the husband of Zak’s late son, Butch. Taking a job at the Post Office, she met and soon warmed to Butch, beginning their sweet romance.
It ended tragically, however, when Butch was fatally injured during a terrible car chase between him and Emily’s protective father, John. Butch and Emily were married on his deathbed, with Butch passing shortly after they said their vows.
Although Emily re-married – to vet Paddy – she remained close to the Dingles. It would make sense if Emily were to return to pay her last respects to beloved father figure Zak.
“If Emily is not the Dingle returning then I don’t want it,” huffed one fan on X.
Kathy Glover
She may not have been a Dingle, but Kathy Glover is an undeniable part of Emmerdale history, with links to all of the soap’s most iconic figures – from Zak himself to Seth, Butch and Alan.
“With Zak’s death and funeral next week, now would have been the right time for a small return for Kathy Glover. She could have spoke about Butch, Seth, Alan and of course come face to face with Kim Tate again,” suggested one hopeful viewer.
Ross is coming back to the Dales (Credit: ITV)
Ross Barton
It has already been confirmed that Ross Barton will be returning to the soap later this year. With Debbie unlikely to be returning, and Ross having so many Dingle ties (including son Moses, who he shared with Charity), could this be the character’s foot back in the door?
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
Visit our Facebook page @emmerdaleinsider for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think! Or find us on Twitter @emmerdaleinside
If there’s one thing Emmerdale loves it’s a secretive phone call and now it’s Billy Fletcher making them – but the question is: to who?
Speculation so far has everyone convinced he’s been working with Kim to blackmail Will. But one key moment last night suggested this was a red herring and he’s not working with her at all.
Instead, a new theory puts someone else behind it – and it’s someone we know very well indeed…
Dawn wanted answers (Credit: ITV)
Billy keeps secrets in Emmerdale
Last night (Thursday September 20) Kim was revealed to be Will’s blackmailer. It was the most anticlimactic reveal ever given most of us had already worked it out. But what wasn’t clear was who had dug that massive grave for her and put the coffin in – surely she must have had an accomplice?
All viewer eyes were then on Billy, when he started acting shiftily. It seemed too convenient when he made excuses to Dawn that he had a last minute PT client booked and had to dash.
But he dropped his bag and when Dawn checked in it, she found a wad of crisp notes. It instantly raised her hackles because they have been struggling to pay their bills. So why would Billy sit on so much cash instead of helping the family out.
She confronted him and he made up an excuse about wanting to surprise her with a holiday. He insisted he had been saving up from his PT clients payments for a while.
Dawn bought it, but told him no holiday until they’d paid their bills. Billy agreed before making another secretive phone call asking for more work – whatever was going, he didn’t mind.
So we know it’s not PT work as this is definitely dodgy. But what we don’t know is who the person on the other end of the line was.
Billy made a secretive phone call (Credit: ITV)
Who was Billy calling?
Although many are convinced he’s Kim’s righthand man, in fact, we think he gave the game away when he called the person ‘Mate’. Come on, who in their right mind would call Kim Tate ‘mate’? Definitely not if they valued their body parts!
So that leads us to wonder who else it could be and some fans have come up with a clever theory: it’s none other than Ross Barton.
“Could Billy be involved with Ross?!” wrote one on social media. Another also questioned: “Is Billy’s partner in crime going to be Ross Barton?”
“What if the person Billy was calling is Ross?” queried one more.
He’s back! (Credit: ITV)
Ross Barton returning to Emmerdale
The comeback of Ross Barton was teased earlier this week in a social media video. Emmerdale later confirmed it with a press release and new images of the man in question.
He is back in the Dales after six years, but details of why he returns are being kept under wraps. However, with him due back on screen this autumn, they may well be setting up his comeback storyline right now.
Could he somehow be involved with Billy? Where Ross Barton goes, trouble inevitably follows, so will Billy get in a mess?
Mike Parr has admitted he’d be “fired” from Emmerdale if he was to share details of Ross Barton’s return. The actor will be reprising his role as Ross after six years it has been revealed.
Emmerdale fans were overjoyed to hear Ross is on his way back to the Dales, but understandably, they were eager to know more about his storylines. Unfortunately, Mike was determined to keep any details under wraps!
Here’s everything you need to know about Ross Barton’s return to Emmerdale.
Ross Barton is back! (Credit: ITV)
What do we know about Ross Barton’s return?
Following the news that Ross will be returning to the Dales, actor Mike teased that there will be “fireworks”.
“I’m over the moon to be returning to Emmerdale. Ross is a character I’m extremely fond of and I’m excited to explore what he’s been up to over the past five years,” he said. “After seeing the scripts, I can’t wait for the audience to see what’s in store. One thing I can say is Ross’s return will no doubt create fireworks.”
Meanwhile, Emmerdale producer Laura show revealed that Ross’ return sparks plenty of drama in the village.
She said: “We are delighted to have Michael back at Team Emmerdale, playing the unforgettable and charismatic bad boy Ross Barton once again. Ross makes a huge impact from the first moment he arrives back on screen, immediately throwing some of our villagers’ lives into disarray.
“Chaotic, wild and reckless, Ross is absolutely going to shake up the village and prove it’s never quiet with a Barton boy back in town.”
Mike Parr responds to fans’ questions
Actor Mike was inundated with messages from Emmerdale fans following the news that he would be reprising his role as Ross after six years. However, the actor admitted he isn’t allowed to share any details of Ross’ return.
Writing on X after the announcement, Mike told fans: “Hi Twits, its been a while. Can’t believe it’s been six years since I was last on set in the Dales. Very excited to be back. Do you think Ross will be a good boy or do you think he’s here to cause trouble? Let me know in the comments.”
One fan asked: “Will Ross still be with Rebecca or has he dumped her because that will tell us a lot whether going to be good or not?”
Mike revealed he’d lose his job on the ITV soap if he answered the question. He honestly responded: “I wish I could reveal all but I’d be fired before I even started if I did.” Looks like we’ll have to be patient!
Ross and Rebecca left together in Emmerdale (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
A quick Ross Barton recap
Ross arrived in Emmerdale back in 2013. He is the son of James and Emma Barton, brother of Pete and Finn and half-brother of Adam.
He is father to son Moses Dingle, who he shares with Charity Dingle. Ross had a one-night stand with Charity, and as a result, she fell pregnant with Moses. Before this, he had an affair with Charity’s daughter Debbie Dingle, who was in a relationship with his brother Pete at the time.
During his time in Emmerdale, Ross also battled depression following a terrifying acid attack. He was also left devastated when lover Donna Windsor died.
In 2018, Ross exited Emmerdale and relocated to Liverpool with girlfriend Rebecca White.
Soap fans have been rejoicing after finding out Ross Barton is on his way back to Emmerdale. The iconic character, played by Mike Parr, exited the village six years ago but is now due to make a shock comeback.
Following the announcement, Emmerdale fans have revealed they are “thrilled” to welcome Ross back to the soap, and there’s no doubt his return will stir up some drama.
Ross Barton is returning to Emmerdale (Credit: ITV)
Ross Barton’s return
It has been confirmed that Ross will be making a return to Emmerdale, with actor Mike Parr reprising the role after a six-year break. A specific date is yet to be confirmed, but soap bosses said Ross will appear on-screen later this year.
Ross is the son of James and Emma Barton. He the brother of Pete and Finn, and half-brother of Adam Barton. Ross is father to Moses Dingle, who he shares with Charity Dingle.
The character exited in 2018 in a bid to start a new life in Liverpool with girlfriend Rebecca White. It has not been revealed what brings Ross back to the village.
Speaking about his return, actor Mike said: “I’m over the moon to be returning to Emmerdale. Ross is a character I’m extremely fond of and I’m excited to explore what he’s been up to over the past five years. After seeing the scripts, I can’t wait for the audience to see what’s in store. One thing I can say is Ross’s return will no doubt create fireworks.â€
Ross Barton is on his way back (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Fans ‘thrilled’ by Ross’ comeback
Understandably, Emmerdale fans have been left overjoyed by the news of Ross’ return. Many took to social media share their excitement following the soap’s announcement.
“Ross returning to the village – kinda loving it #emmerdale,” one person wrote on X, while a second added: “Ross Barton is back!! Didn’t expect to see him back….but I’m absolutely thrilled he is!”Â
Another branded it “great news”, while a fourth commented: “Either way, I’m excited to have Ross back! I absolutely love his character! His dry sense of humour, sarcasm, one liners…. Topped off with his gorgeous looks! woohooo!!!!”Â
“This is amazing news!!!! I’ve missed Ross so much! I can’t wait to see him back!!” another fan wrote. A final Emmerdale viewer added: “ROSS BARTON RETURNING TO  @emmerdale IS THE BEST NEWS!!!!  Emmerdale hasn’t been the same without him!! He’s the best soap character and I can’t wait to see him back!!!! Emmerdale is officially back on top with Ross back!!”Â
Emmerdale star Michael Parr is returning to the soap as Ross Barton, six years after his exit.
The soap teased his return on social media earlier today (Tuesday, September 17) with a comedy sketch video featuring Bradley Johnson, who plays Vinny Dingle.
They followed this up with official confirmation that bad boy Ross Barton is indeed making a return to Emmerdale.
Ross Barton is returning to Emmerdale (Credit: ITV)
Who was Ross Barton?
Ross arrived in 2013 and quickly became one of the soap’s most popular characters.
The son of James and Emma Barton, brother of Pete and Finn and half-brother of Adam Barton, Ross is also the father of Moses Dingle.
During his time in Emmerdale, Ross stepped on a lot of toes. But he also had a softer side and was devastated when Donna Windsor committed suicide following her cancer diagnosis.
Ross also embarked on an affair with Debbie, who was with his brother Pete at the time. But that came to an end when Ross had a one night stand with Debbie’s mum Charity – thus conceiving Moses.
Following a devastating acid attack, Ross battled depression. He later left for a new life in Liverpool in 2018 with girlfriend Rebecca White.
But what has he been up during his time away?
Michael Parr reprises the role (Credit: ITV)
Michael Parr on Emmerdale return
Speaking about his return to the soap, Michael said: “I’m over the moon to be returning to Emmerdale. Ross is a character I’m extremely fond of and I’m excited to explore what he’s been up to over the past five years.
“After seeing the scripts, I can’t wait for the audience to see what’s in store. One thing I can say is Ross’s return will no doubt create fireworks.” Sounds about right.
Producer Laura Shaw added: “We are delighted to have Michael back at Team Emmerdale, playing the unforgettable and charismatic bad boy Ross Barton once again. Ross makes a huge impact from the first moment he arrives back on screen, immediately throwing some of our villagers’ lives into disarray.
“Chaotic, wild and reckless, Ross is absolutely going to shake up the village and prove it’s never quiet with a Barton boy back in town.”
The Barton family in Emmerdale burst onto our screens in 2009. The brood were the brainchild of the then executive producer Gavin Blyth, who wanted to overhaul the show by bringing in a sexy, modern farming family.
The Bartons were originally a five piece, made up of farmer John, his wife Moira and their three teenage children – Holly, Adam and Hannah.
Four years later saw the arrival of John’s older brother James Barton, and his three sons, Pete, Ross and Finn. And then along came James’s former wife, Emma – who definitely brought the drama with her.
Like the ill-fated King family, the Bartons rank up there with Emmerdale’s most cursed clans. Half of them are now six feet under and only Moira and Matty (formerly Hannah) remain in the village flying the Barton flag.
Here’s a breakdown of who is (or was) who in the brood and their major moments.
The most glam farmer around, Moira! (Credit: ITV)
Moira Dingle – nee Barton, matriarch of the family in Emmerdale
Moira, played by Natalie J Robb, is one of Emmerdale’s most popular characters.
She came to the village in July 2009, when she and husband John purchased Butlers Farm from the newly-divorced Andy Sugden.
Moira and John were childhood sweethearts. They’d married young and had three teenage children – son Adam and daughters Holly and Hannah (who later transitioned to Matty).
On the outside, the Bartons were a solid couple. However, it wasn’t long before Moira found herself unable to resist the charms of a certain Cain Dingle.
Their affair ended Moira’s marriage to John, who then sadly perished in a car crash.
After John’s untimely death, Moira reunited with Cain and went on to marry him in 2014.
Two years later Moira’s world was shattered when daughter Holly died from a heroin overdose.
Happiness followed in 2017 when she gave birth to Cain’s son Isaac. But his arrival came as something of a shock to Moira, who didn’t realise she was pregnant.
Moira and Cain’s marriage has survived betrayals on both sides but they remain one of soap’s most popular partnerships.
The original head of the Barton family (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
John Barton
John Barton, played by James Thornton, was Moira’s first husband. A farmer by trade, John was a loyal and hardworking man who always tried to put his family first.
John had an older brother called James, but the pair fell out after James bedded Moira. Moira strayed again with Cain Dingle, which broke John’s heart and led him to end their marriage.
The couple came close to a reunion, but fate dealt them a cruel blow when John was killed in a car crash.
Holly’s addiction saw her meet a tragic end (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Holly Barton
Holly Barton, played by Sophie Powles, was Moira and John’s first-born child.
The party-loving schoolgirl was the most unruly of the Barton kids. After a brief fling with a still-closeted Aaron Dingle, Holly began dabbling with cocaine.
Her recreational drug use spiraled into an uncontrollable heroin addiction, which saw her resorting to theft and prostitution to fund her habit. Moira and John took action and forced Holly to go cold turkey. But the trauma of her dad’s death caused her to relapse.
After eventually getting clean Holly moved to London with her sister Hannah in 2012.
She returned four years later on the run from a drug dealer.
Sadly Holly couldn’t beat her addiction and suffered a fatal overdose in September 2016. The character’s death, which wasn’t announced before transmission, has gone down as one of Emmerdale’s most dramatic exits.
He could come back… (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Adam Barton
Adam Barton, played by Adam Thomas, is the son of Moira and her late brother-in-law James. He didn’t discover the identity of his biological dad until he was in his twenties, and had always assumed he was the son of John.
A down to earth cheeky chap, Adam struck up a bromance with Aaron Dingle, which endured throughout his time in the village.
Adam married Victoria Sugden in 2015. However, his fertility problems meant the couple were unable to have children.
The character left the village in 2018 after admitting to the murder of his aunt Emma Barton, to protect his mum Moira, who was the real killer. After ‘confessing’ to the crime, Adam decided to go on the run and escaped in a shipping container.
Now divorced from Vic, Adam remains a fugitive and is living abroad somewhere.
Things have been hard for Matty this year (Credit: ITV)
Matty Barton
Matty Barton – formerly known as Hannah – is Moira and John’s youngest child.
The character, who has been played by Ash Palmisciano since 2018, identified as female during his early years in the village.
As a teenager, Matty was shy and had a string of short-lived flings with unsuitable lads. After flunking his A-levels, Matty went to live in London with his sister Holly.
During his time there, Hannah transitioned to male and changed his name to Matty.
He returned to Emmerdale in 2018 and underwent top surgery the following year.
Matty got his happy ever after in 2024 when he married long term girlfriend Amy Wyatt.
However a stint in prison earlier this year has changed him for good. In a male prison, forced to hide his trans secret, Matty, who was innocent, found life very hard. He even arranged for his cellmate to beat him up as he felt safer in hospital than inside.
James met a miserable end (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
James Barton and his family in Emmerdale
Fellow farmer and single dad James Barton, played by Bill Ward, set up home in village in October 2013. He was the brother of John Barton and father of Pete, Ross, Finn and Adam Barton (who was originally thought to be John’s son).
James and John had been close growing up, but became estranged after James slept with John’s wife Moira – which later transpired had resulted in her conceiving Adam.
James raised his sons Pete, Ross and Finn alone after ex-wife Emma walked out on them.
He started a romance with Woolpack landlady Chas Dingle, but she dumped him after Emma returned on the scene and schemed her way back into James’s affections.
James’s fate was sealed when he started to grow closer to Moira again. Jealous Emma held him hostage, and when he tried to escape her clutches she pushed him off a bridge. This started a chain of events that led to the Hotton Bypass Crash.
Miraculously, James survived the fall, but succumbed to his injuries in hospital.
James’s wife was unhinged (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Emma Barton
Emma Barton, played by Gillian Kearney, was the unhinged former wife of James Barton. She was also mum to his three sons, Pete, Ross and Finn.
The character had a complicated and messy backstory.
As a young mother, Emma had been gripped by postnatal depression and terrified of her husband James’s closeness to sister-in-law, Moira.
Pushed to the edge, she attempted to suffocate her middle son, Ross with a pillow – which was witnessed by his older brother, Pete. Emma had then fled, abandoning her family and wasn’t heard from for more than 20 years.
Two decades later, Emma was tracked down by her youngest lad, Finn and came to live in the village. She eventually reconciled with all her boys and got back together with ex-husband, James.
But Emma was unable to get over the revelation that James had fathered a child with Moira.
After making it look as if James’s fall was an accident, Emma got away with murder for 10 months until Finn found out the truth and she unintentionally shot him dead.
Emma met her own grisly end when she was pushed off a viaduct by sister-in-law Moira in a storyline dubbed ‘Who Killed Emma Barton?’
Love hasn’t always been lucky for Pete (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Pete Barton
Pete Barton, played by Anthony Quinlan, is the eldest son of the late James and Emma Barton and probably best remembered for his rivalry with brother Ross.
On the day of his wedding to Debbie Dingle, Pete discovered she’d been sleeping with Ross behind his back. But before he could do anything a helicopter crashed into their venue!
In the aftermath, Pete believed he’d killed Ross and drove his body to the woods, where he dumped him. Ross was later revealed to be alive, and Pete and Debbie got their marriage annulled.
Pete also had a short stint in prison after he assaulted Ross.
After failed romances with Tracy Robinson, Rhona Goskirk and making a pass at his Auntie Moira (ick!), Pete left the village in February 2020 to go and live with Ross in Liverpool.
An acid attack changed Ross’ life forever (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Ross Barton
Ross Barton is the bad boy middle son of the late James and Emma Barton.
He was a hugely popular character and actor Michael Parr won numerous awards for his portrayal of the Dales bad lad.
The stereotypical black sheep of the family, Ross preferred to play by his own rules. Ross was initially characterised as a criminal. His first appearance saw him hijacking Laurel Thomas’s car.
But underneath that hard man exterior was a soft centre, which was shown during his romance with cancer-stricken Donna Windsor.
Ross had an eye for the ladies – he bedded Charity Dingle (which resulted in her getting pregnant with Moses) and also had an affair with her daughter Debbie.
After enduring the loss of his father James, Ross faced his darkest hour in 2018 when he was scarred for life in a targeted acid attack.
Later that year, Ross decided he was done with the Dales and left to start a new life with his girlfriend Rebecca White and her son Sebastian.
Shot by his own mother (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Tragic Finn Barton in Emmerdale
Finn Barton was Pete and Emma’s youngest son and little brother to Ross and Pete.
The character was played by Joe Gill.
Studious, and far more sensible than both his brothers, Finn had just finished a degree in economics when he arrived in the village. With big plans to travel in Asia, Finn took on a job as a cleaner at The Grange B&B to earn money.
Finn was openly gay, but didn’t have much luck with men. One particular date, Brad, spiked his drink, which resulted in Finn ending up in hospital.
He was besties with Victoria Sugden, and they made a pact to marry if they both reached 30 and were still single.
In 2015, Finn tracked down his estranged mum Emma and forgave her for running out on them when he was a baby.
Unfortunately his decision to allow Emma back into his life proved to be fatal one.
Finn died in 2017 after being accidentally shot by Emma.
He was taken to hospital but suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away, aged just 25.
Emmerdale is leading us to believe Rose Jackson is dead. The last we saw of her, she was stranded on the side of the road after Kim Tate and Will Taylor had discovered her plot to split them up.
Kim and Will told her to leave and never come back. They made her leave a message for Dawn saying she was going and then left her in the middle of nowhere. Rose sobbed over a picture drawn by her grandkids at the side of the road, but then looked relieved when a car – bearing the Home Farm logo – drove by and stopped for her.
Rose was last seen crying on the side of the road in but is she now dead in Emmerdale? (Credit: ITV)
Was it friend or foe, however?
It seems like the latter as the next we saw, Rose’s belongings were strew by the side of the road and Rose was nowhere to be seen. Kim and Will simultaneously returned home looking pretty shifty and no one knows what has happened to Rose.
Emmerdale definitely want us to think she’s dead – and that either Kim or Will have killed her. But could there be a twist in the tale? Is she actually still alive and hiding out somewhere or being held captive? It wouldn’t be the first time Emmerdale has faked a death…
Her return from the dead shocked Frank to death! (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
1 & 2. Kim Tate in Emmerdale faked being dead – twice
Rose need look no further than her nemesis Kim Tate for tips on faking your death – she’s done it twice!
In February 1997, Kim went missing from the village. A few days later, a woman was found dead at the wheel of her car after plunging into a quarry. Frank identified the body as Kim.
However, it wasn’t her! In May Kim waltzed back into Home Farm and told Frank she’d paid a prostitute to drive around the village pretending to be her, when actually Kim was sunning herself in the Caribbean. The body belonged to that woman, not Kim. The prostitute hadn’t been supposed to die, but she got stuck in the car and ended up making Kim’s fake death look even more authentic.
The shock caused Frank, who had been on remand for Kim’s murder, to have a heart attack. Kim stood by and watched him die before uttering the immortal line: “You’re a dinosaur, Frank, and you know what happened to them.” She then checked he was dead with her compact mirror before redoing her make-up. Brutal.
Kim faked her death again in 2021 (Credit: ITV)
Then in June 2021, Kim reused her infamous plan to catch out son, Jamie Tate. He’d been drugging her and she wanted to expose him.
She hired actors to play the parts of the police, doctor and undertakers and even her then-lover Will Taylor was in on the act. Jamie was completely bewildered and upset – but even more so when he realised it had all been a plot against him!
Jamie was revealed to be alive months after his ‘death’ (Credit: ITV)
3. Jamie Tate
So Jamie then decided to play his mother at her own game. After his poisoning attempts, Kim disowned and disinherited him. Then-girlfriend Dawn then ended it because he Jamie had tried to frame her dad, Will, for targeting Kim.
With nothing left and determined to get his hands on Kim’s money, Jamie offered to elope with Gabby so their baby (she was pregnant after a one-night stand) would get the money and therefore so would Jamie.
However, Jamie soon decided he couldn’t bear to be married to Gabby and asked Dawn to run away with him instead. She turned him down, so Jamie decided to flee to escape Gabby and Kim.
As he sped out of town, he drove off a cliff edge into a lake. The car was dredged up, but there was no sign of his body. Kim was sure he had faked his own death, but viewers had no idea whether he was actually gone or not.
When his ex, Andrea, died months later, Kim organised a memorial hoping Jamie would come. He didn’t and that seemed to seal he was dead.
But he wasn’t!
Instead he was hiding out with Andrea’s mum, Hazel.
Joe was presumed dead, but actually in hiding abroad (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
4. Joe Tate also not dead in Emmerdale
It seems no one in the Tate family has an original idea because Joe Tate, Kim’s step-grandson also pulled off the trick.
When Kim got out of prison, she ordered Joe dead and her henchman, Graham, urged Joe to flee. It meant Joe not turning up to marry Debbie Dingle, which sent her dad, Cain, into a fury. He punched Joe who fell and hit his head on a rock.
Graham stepped in and said he would dispose of the body. But when he put Joe in the boot of the car, his hand twitched. Graham was loyal to Joe and was later seen sobbing at the wheel of his car before telling Kim the job was done.
It was presumed Joe was dead, but viewers weren’t so sure. And it turned out they were right when five months later it was revealed Joe had escaped abroad and was living off money from Kim’s businesses.
Pete thought his brother was dead, but Ross was alive and out for revenge (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
They fought in the hospital grounds and Pete charged at Ross, who hit his head on a stone wall. Pete continued to beat him until he realised his brother was dead. Desperate Pete drove Ross’ body to the woods and buried it in a ditch covered with leaves.
Viewers believed Ross was a goner, however, when Pete went back to get him with dad James three weeks later, they were stunned Ross was no longer there. In fact, he was in a coma in a hospital who thought his name was Stephen! Ross returned to the village shortly after and tried all he could to exact revenge on Pete.
Rebecca and her nephew Lachlan were the only survivors of a crash that killed their family. She spent a month in a coma following the accident and was left with a brain injury. As she started to remember what had really happened – that Lachlan had been responsible for the deaths of his mother and grandfather – Lachlan knew he needed to silence her.
When Rebecca came across Robert Sugden and Liv Flaherty unconscious, Lachlan stopped her calling an ambulance. He was later seen in the woods clutching a bloody wrench. It was believed he had killed Rebecca.
However, just a few days later we discovered Rebecca was alive and being held hostage in a wooden chalet. She then confronted Lachlan and tried to escape and he strangled her. Once again we thought she was dead, but she was actually locked up in a psychiatric hospital, being kept captive by retired nurse Mrs Sykes, who Lachlan had hired.
Ruthless Sadie set this whole thing up herself (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
7. Sadie King
Sadie King was ruthless and vengeful and she proved to be just that when she enlisted Cain Dingle to shoot her. Out for revenge on the King family, who had left her with nothing, Sadie wanted what she believed was rightfully hers.
Cain kidnapped her and Tom and shot Sadie, seemingly killing her. But actually she was still alive and it had all been staged. She then left the village after Cain double-crossed her too.
