Emmerdale star Mike Parr reveals the real reason he returned
THE actor had two jobs on the table and he tells why returning to the soap won out
Carl Greenwood
EMMERDALE star Mike Parr has revealed the real reason he has returned to the soap as Ross Barton - and the job he turned down for it.
The actor - who plays thug Ross in the ITV soap - made his return after six years away this week in an explosive storyline.
Mike Parr has returned to Emmerdale after six years
2
Mike Parr has returned to Emmerdale after six yearsCredit: ITV
The actor has revealed he had to choose between two jobs
2
The actor has revealed he had to choose between two jobsCredit: ITV
But having left the soap in 2019 to pursue a career in Hollywood and utilise his joint American citizenship, things didn’t go exactly to plan with covid.
So instead he returned to the UK and has had success in a string of shows and stage productions and always kept Emmerdale in his rear view mirror.
However this year he agreed to return over another job for one simple reason - more job security.
He told the Metro: “I was on a job in India, and I was saying to a cast member, I really want to be in a position where I’m turning down work, and then within the space of a week Emmerdale called, but I also had the option to go on tour with a play.
BABY DADDY This is who Moses Dingle's father is on Emmerdale
EMMERWAIL Emmerdale kills off major character six years after final appearance
“I had to make a decision in terms of what I wanted to do, and it was the hardest decision of my life! Be careful what you wish for because turning people down was not the position I wanted to be in.”
He added: “I had played both characters before. I had been Ross and then for the play, it was Rita, Sue and Bob Too. We had done it in my hometown in Liverpool.
“Both have their positives, both have their drawbacks but ultimately, coming back to Emmerdale was a longer contract, it just meant I had a bit more chance of some security which, in this industry, is really hard to come across.
“I wanted to do both jobs and we tried to see if schedules could work but it wasn’t going to.
Most read in Soaps
Coronation Street mystery as soap films court scenes for unknown plot
Drama AheadCoronation Street mystery as soap films court scenes for unknown plot
Emmerdale cast Minder star as Ruby's estranged dad
fresh facesEmmerdale cast Minder star as Ruby's estranged dad
Watch as Coronation Street's Kit drops HUGE clue HE'S Joel Deering's killer
cobbles shockWatch as Coronation Street's Kit drops HUGE clue HE'S Joel Deering's killer
Emmerdale airs shock return for killer as the Dales residents are left spooked
dales returnEmmerdale airs shock return for killer as the Dales residents are left spooked
“Ultimately, I decided to come back to what feels like home and that was Emmerdale.”
Mike also recently said who convinced him to return to the soap - with producer Laura Shaw making all the difference.
He said: “Ultimately, Emmerdale felt like home, and it was a good storyline which they pitched to me.
Soap stars leaving this year
Soap has - or will lose some iconic characters this year - here we've rounded up the latest departures...
EASTENDERSNavin ChowdhryCORONATION STREETCalum LillBill FellowsLauna SantosHelen WorthLucy FallonHOLLYOAKSMatthew James BaileyGregory FinneganStephanie WarringAnnie WallaceNEIGHBOURSRyan MaloneyLucinda Cowden
“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.”
Welcome to Billionaire Club Co LLC, your gateway to a brand-new social media experience! Sign up today and dive into over 10,000 fresh daily articles and videos curated just for your enjoyment. Enjoy the ad free experience, unlimited content interactions, and get that coveted blue check verification—all for just $1 a month!
Account Frozen
Your account is frozen. You can still view content but cannot interact with it.
Please go to your settings to update your account status.
Open Profile Settings