Emmerdale star Mike Parr recently opened up about his decision to return to the show as Ross Barton and the opportunity he passed up to do so.
The actor, known for playing the tough Ross on the ITV soap, made his comeback this week after a six-year absence in a gripping storyline. Mike had originally left Emmerdale in 2019 to pursue a Hollywood career, hoping to make use of his dual American citizenship. However, the pandemic disrupted those plans.
Returning to the UK, he found success in various TV roles and stage productions, while always keeping Emmerdale in mind. This year, he was offered a return role on the soap, and despite having another job offer, he ultimately chose Emmerdale for the stability it offered.
He told Metro: “I was working in India when I mentioned to a castmate that I wanted to be in a position where I could turn down jobs. Within a week, I got a call from Emmerdale, but I also had an option to go on tour with a play.”
Mike described it as one of the toughest choices he’s ever made. “Be careful what you wish for because it was really hard to turn down work,” he shared.
For the play, he would have been reprising a role in Rita, Sue and Bob Too, which he had previously performed in Liverpool, his hometown. “Each role had its pros and cons,” he explained, “but Emmerdale offered a longer contract, which meant more security, something rare in this industry.”
He also considered doing both roles, but scheduling conflicts made it impossible. In the end, Emmerdale felt like the right choice. “It was like coming back home.”
Mike added that Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw played a significant role in his decision. “Laura Shaw, our producer, pitched an exciting storyline and had a clear vision for my character,” he said. “She’s very persuasive, and it meant I could move back up north. It just felt like the perfect time to return.”
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