DEEP SADNESS! Sad reason Emmerdale’s Ross Barton actor split from co-star after secret romance

Emmerdale’s Michael Parr is a firm favourite playing Ross Barton – but which one of his co-stars did he used to date?

The actor shot to fame when he joined the ITV soap as Ross. And it’s fair to say it didn’t take him long to become a firm favourite with fans.

Ross has also been involved in several big moments too. From surviving a horrific acid attack to his many village romances, his time in the Dales has not been short of drama.

Especially in recent months as last year Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) ended up pregnant from a one-night stand with Ross. However, around the same time Sarah agreed to be a surrogate for Sarah (Katie Hill) and Jacob Sugden’s (Joe-Warren Plant) baby.

Nobody knows the truth about Ross being the father, apart from Ross who has kept quiet at Charity’s request. Meanwhile, Charity’s husband Mackenzie Boyd (Lawrence Robb) remains completely oblivious about her infidelity.

In Monday’s episode (April 20) things took a dramatic turn when Charity went into labour on the day of Sarah’s baby shower. Although arriving at the hospital, Charity found herself stuck in a lift with both Mack and Ross.

And while Ross has had his fair share of disastrous romances on the soap, in real life actor Michael Parr’s love life has made headlines several times over the years.

A couple of years after he joined the show, Michael started dating Isabel Hodgins, who plays Victoria Sugden. The pair kept their romance relatively low-key, and in 2016, they went Instagram official.

Michael also shared a gushing post about Isabel to celebrate her birthday. He wrote: “Happy 24th birthday to this little one. Who woulda thought that 5’2 (and a half) could pack so much love, devotion and attitude.

“Thank you for being the most wonderful and caring best friend a boy could ask for. Love you to the moon and back. X.”

However, fast forward to 2019 and Michael and Isabel split after three years, following Mike’s exit from Emmerdale to try and crack America. Isabel meanwhile, remained on the soap.

A source at the time told The Sun: “They drifted apart and felt it was better to be mates. He has been throwing himself into his social life and has just been on a lads’ holiday and she is focusing on work, they’re both young and want to follow their dreams. They had a meaningful relationship and they’ll remember the good times.”

Following his split from Isabel, Michael found love with Isabelle Du Plessis. Going from strength to strength, the pair welcomed their first child in September 2025, a daughter Suzie Rose Par.

Taking to Instagram, Isabelle uploaded a string of photographs and introduced her daughter to the world. Proud father Michael was beaming as he held his little daughter in one arm in a photo.

Meanwhile Isabel is loved-up with her husband, Adam Whitehead. In February this year, she gave birth to a baby girl, Georgie Grace Whitehead.

Steph Miligan (Georgia Jay) reaches a huge decision in Emmerdale – her relationship with Ross Barton (Michael Parr) is done.

Steph has been going through a stinker of a time having learned that her granddad abused her mum and that she was the result.

This knowledge has taken her to some dark places, including planning to go under the knife to spare herself from staring at her own reflection.

Ross has been at her side through it all, her rock in moments when she truly hit the bottom.

He proved his loyalty when she went on a violent and abusive rampage after her surgery plot was foiled. Ross took her vitriol and remained there holding her together as she fell apart.

But then she quickly turned to the bottle and added another layer of complexity to their relationship.

Things are now in such a place that Steph has come to realise just how badly she’s not coping. In an attempt to pay Ross back and save him in return, she breaks up with him.

Her reason is so that she can spare his feelings and focus on herself, but it doesn’t soften the blow.

Reeling from her decision, Ross’ unexpected knee-jerk reaction is to sleep with Manpreet Sharma (Rebecca Sarker).

As he leaves her house the next morning, he’s quick to part ways with her before Caleb Miligan (Will Ash) sees them together.

But while he might have dodged that obstacle, lonely Manpreet feels differently about their tryst and might want more.