The end of his romance with Steph Miligan catapults Ross Barton into the arms of another woman on Emmerdale next week – when he ends up in bed with Manpreet Sharma.

Ross has been a huge support to Steph as she’s battled her demons after discovering that grandfather Anthony was her biological dad.

However, as Steph makes the tough decision to focus on her recovery – and dumps Ross in the process – he finds himself craving a shoulder to cry on…

“Ross is gutted when Steph bins him off,” our Emmerdale insider explains.

“He genuinely cares and was committed to helping her through this awful crisis. However, his bruised ego longs for some TLC once she gives him the heave-ho, and it seems Manpreet is just what the doctor ordered!”

With a failed relationship behind her, and the ill-advised pass she made at married Billy Fletcher, village catch Manpreet is long overdue a bit of a romance.

So, when fate sees to it that Ross is suddenly single and, ahem, immediately ready to mingle, smitten Manpreet wastes no time in making an appointment with the local bit-of-ruff. However, will Ross’ bedside manner live up to expectations?

“Ross ought to be thrilled to bag himself such a great catch as Manpreet,” our source continues.

“However, it’s clear that he’s still pining after Steph when he emerges from Manpreet’s the following morning, and shrugs her off when Caleb spots him doing the walk of shame.

“Ross obviously doesn’t want news of his dalliance with Manpreet making it back to Steph via her dad.”

Will Ross come to regret seducing Manpreet if Steph finds out and wants nothing more to do with him? And are they really over for good?

Meanwhile, will Manpreet realise that she deserves far better than a meaningless one-night-stand with the local ladies’ man?