Michael Parr, who plays heartthrob Ross Barton, is leaving Emmerdale later this year
There's bad news in store for Emmerdale fans as Michael Parr, who plays Ross Barton in the ITV soap, has quit the show.
During his five years in the village, fans have seen him have an affair with Debbie Dingle (his brother's fiancée), discover his mum Emma killed his little brother Finn and his latest storyline involved drug dealer Simon McManus throwing acid on him.
At the moment Ross is hellbent on getting revenge on his attacker but Emmerdale's acting series producer Kate Brooks has confirmed that later this year viewers will wave goodbye to the character.
Check out: Next week's Emmerdale spoilers
Emmerdale spoilers 28 May - 1 June
1 of 20Something's up with Charity
Charity 's pained when Harriet Finch brings up the subject of her dead son, unaware Vanessa Woodfield has overheard. Shocked Vanessa wants to help - secretly, her and Harriet head to the hospital to try and find more information on Charity's baby. Will their meddling actually cause more pain for Charity?
2 of 20Charity's past revealed
Charity drives out of the village and a song playing on the radio transports her back to her 14 year old self...
3 of 20Ready for a special episode?
We feel a flashback coming on.
4 of 20Cain wants answers
Cain Dingle arrives at Home Farm demanding answers. Graham Foster tells him what happened and goes on to explain everything that happened in the lead up to the shooting. Rather you than us, Graham.
5 of 20Will Cain get revenge?
Cain leaves and Graham and Joe Tate are convinced that Cain will take revenge.
6 of 20FLASHBACK EPISODE
In this special episode on Tuesday 29 May, Charity transports the audience to her past.
7 of 20What's Charity's DARK secret?
We'll discover the traumatic events Charity endured at such a young age. Tissues at the ready, people.
8 of 20Daddy issues
It's the week following the shock DNA test results in the Spencer family.
9 of 20Amelia is oblivious
Unaware of the revelation that Daz is her biological dad, Amelia Spencer asks Dan if he can come over but he refuses.
10 of 20Brenda gets jel
Brenda Walker is jealous and angry to hear that Bob Hope and Laurel Thomas are spending the night alone together. She finds a way to sabotage it... (Oh Brenda love, just walk away with your head held high.)
11 of 20Trouble ahead?
Cain arrives at Ross' and suggests they need to talk.... gulp.
12 of 20Kerry protects Amelia
Kerry Wyatt urges Dan to act normal around Daz. Easy, right?
13 of 20Will Dan be able to hold it together
She's worried that little Amelia will get suspicious of the truth.
14 of 20Brenda's vendetta
Bob's disappointed to realise that Brenda's involving the twins in her vendetta. Brenda's left dismayed when he insists they're staying at Laurel's until she gets a grip.
15 of 20Family affairs
It's not long before it becomes clear that everyone is overwhelmed by their new family dynamic. Will things get better anytime soon? Probably not with Brenda's vengeance still going strong.
16 of 20Megan confides
Megan has confided in Graham about her suspicions of Frank playing away.
17 of 20Megan Macey Emmerdale
But Frank is oblivious to the awkwardness between Megan and Graham in the Woolly.
18 of 20Confessions caught on video?
Amelia starts recording her vlog. Dan and Kerry interrupt her and she accidentally leaves it recording before leaving the room.
19 of 20Uh oh...
It captures Kerry and Dan's conversation, and we all know this isn't going to end well.
20 of 20Amelia hears the truth
Later, Kerry and Dan are horrified when they walk in to see Amelia watching back the video of Dan admitting he isn't her real dad. Eeep.
Speaking toThe Sun, she said: "His decision to pursue other acting opportunities has given the writing team the opportunity to create an intriguing storyline for his exit."
She added: "Michael, who is nominated for Best Actor at the British Soap Awards next month, will leave the show on a high after brilliantly portraying Ross for five years."
According to the publication, the 31-year-old actor decided to quit the show because of "how much he hated his storyline". A source added: "[He hates] what bosses had done with his character.
"He particularly hated the make-up he had to wear for the acid attack storyline. He’s been fed up for ages and has finally told bosses he’s off."
The Emmerdale star has confirmed on Twitter that he's bowing out of the show before joking that he won't leave if he wins the Soap Award.
Will you be sad to see Ross Barton leave Emmerdale? How do you think he'll leave? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter.
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