Emmerdale star Michael Parr is getting ready for a big personal change, as he’s expecting his first child with partner Isabelle Du Plessis.

The Ross Barton star previously announced he and Du Plessis would soon be expanding their family, teasing they were “in [their] Mum & Dad era”.

Now, Parr has shared how becoming a father has changed his day-to-day as he and his partner are gearing up to welcome their baby.

“Once Izzy told me, my whole outlook on life changed,” Parr told Mirror.

“It’s made me realise what’s actually important to me. I feel ready for it. We’re so grateful. People often struggle in these situations but it’s come quite naturally for us.”

The soap star also shared he’s been enjoying his more relaxed lifestyle since finding out he’s soon be a dad.

“I was 26 when I first got the [Emmerdale] job and before it used to be about the nightclubs and going out for pints after work,” he said. “Now I’m entering dad mode. I like my tea and early nights.”

Parr also thanked his family for being his support network during this big personal change.

“They’ve not given me advice but it’s been lovely to watch people navigate it,” he said. “I’m grateful I’m not going through it alone for the first time, I have lots of people I can reach out to.”

While the actor has a baby on the way in real life, his Emmerdale character Ross may also soon be a dad in Charity Dingle’s dramatic surrogacy storyline.

Charity is currently pregnant, with everyone believing it’s Sarah’s embryo after her grandma agreed to be her surrogate. However, Charity can’t be sure whether it’s really Sarah and Jacob’s baby, as she had a one-night stand with Ross (who’s less than pleased to find out about the pregnancy).

“How ironic that there’s this storyline going on and I have one on the way,” Parr said.