# Michael Parr

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English actor (born 1986)

For the Australian performance artist and printmaker, see [Mike Parr](/source/Mike_Parr).

Michael Parr Born (1986-08-06) 6 August 1986 (age 39) St Helens, Merseyside, England Alma mater East 15 Acting School Occupation Actor Years active 2008–present Children 1

**Michael Parr** (born 6 August 1986[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]) is an English actor. He is known for his role as [Ross Barton](/source/Ross_Barton) in the [ITV](/source/ITV_(TV_network)) soap opera *[Emmerdale](/source/Emmerdale)*. He initially appeared in the soap from 2013 to 2018, returning in 2024.

## Early life

Parr was born in [St Helens, Merseyside](/source/St_Helens%2C_Merseyside). His mother is American and he holds dual U.S. and British nationality, enabling him to work in the U.S. without the need of a [Green Card](/source/United_States_Permanent_Resident_Card) if he wished.[1] He trained at the Elizabeth Hill School of Dance and Drama in St Helens and the [East 15 Acting School](/source/East_15_Acting_School) in [Essex](/source/Essex), graduating in 2008.[2]

Prior to being cast in *Emmerdale*, Parr worked between acting jobs as a learning support assistant in a [special educational needs](/source/Special_education_in_the_United_Kingdom) school. He also worked as a barman.[3] In September 2025, Parr had his first child, a daughter, with girlfriend Isabelle Du Plessis.[4]

## Career

Parr made his first appearance in the ITV soap opera *Emmerdale* in July 2013, playing an unnamed man who [carjacked](/source/Carjacked) regular character [Laurel Thomas](/source/Laurel_Thomas) ([Charlotte Bellamy](/source/Charlotte_Bellamy)). It was only after his return to the show in October 2013 that his true identity was revealed.[5] His character, [Ross Barton](/source/Ross_Barton), is one of three sons of [James Barton](/source/James_Barton_(Emmerdale)) ([Bill Ward](/source/Bill_Ward_(actor))), as well as the nephew of [Moira Barton](/source/Moira_Barton) ([Natalie J Robb](/source/Natalie_J_Robb)).[6] During his first stint in *Emmerdale*, Parr was involved in a number of high-profile storylines, including an affair with policewoman [Donna Windsor](/source/Donna_Windsor) ([Verity Rushworth](/source/Verity_Rushworth)); taking part in a violent robbery at Home Farm; an illicit affair with his brother's fiancée (later wife), [Debbie Dingle](/source/Debbie_Dingle) ([Charley Webb](/source/Charley_Webb)); and secretly fathering a child with Debbie's mother [Charity Macey](/source/Charity_Macey) ([Emma Atkins](/source/Emma_Atkins)). In 2018, Ross Barton was the victim of an [acid attack](/source/Acid_attack), leaving the character badly scarred. Parr described the storyline as challenging.[7][8]

In October 2015, Parr won awards for Best Actor, Best Bad Boy and Sexiest Male at the 2015 [*Inside Soap* Awards](/source/Inside_Soap_Awards).[9] In early 2018, it was announced that Parr would be leaving *Emmerdale* later that year.[7] Parr has also appeared on stage in various roles, including Justin in *Studies for A Portrait* at the [Oval House Theatre](/source/Oval_House_Theatre) and Danny in *Twothousandandsex* at the [Drill Hall](/source/Drill_Hall) in London.[10] In September 2023, Parr appeared as Paul Hughes in the ITV1 drama *[The Long Shadow](/source/The_Long_Shadow_(TV_series))*, alongside [Katherine Kelly](/source/Katherine_Kelly_(actress)).[11]

In September 2024, *Emmerdale* confirmed that Parr would return to the role of Ross later that year, following a six-year absence.[12]

## Filmography

### Film

Year Title Role Notes 2009 No Way Through Soldier 2011 Queensbury Rules Liam 2011 A Beautiful Impurity Gobba 2013 Brothers in Arms Chris 2014 Territory Keiren 2016 Cain Hill Arnie 2017 Dark Ascension 'G' 2019 The Eighty Fourth Narrator 2021 Our Home Adam Wood 2021 Mister Mayfair: Serena's Game Lister 2023 Ocean Deep Adrian 2025 Single People at the End of the World Mike

### Television

Year Title Role Notes 2011 Inside Men PC Mayfair 1 episode 2012 Doctors Kyle West Episode: "Echo Chamber" 2012 Good Cop Adam Riley 1 episode 2012 Casualty Mark Satchmore Episode: "The Kindness of Strangers" 2012 Hollyoaks Billy Parker 1 episode 2013–2018, 2024–present Emmerdale Ross Barton Regular role 2020 Bulletproof Ben Woodall 1 episode 2022 Colosseum Senator Olybruis Episode: "The Pagan" 2023 The Long Shadow Paul Hughes 1 episode 2024 Douglas Is Cancelled Sebastian 1 episode

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Emmerdale star Michael Parr: 8 things you didn't know about the St Helens actor"](http://liverpoolinnews.com/emmerdale-star-michael-parr-8-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-St-helens-actor/). *Liverpool Echo*. Retrieved 14 June 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Emmerdale: Michael Parr – I watch Ross and think, 'Is my forehead really that big?"](http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-01-13/emmerdale-michael-parr---i-watch-ross-and-think-is-my-forehead-really-that-big/). *Radio Times*. 13 January 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Teaching Assistant vs Actor: How can I do both?"](http://smartteachersblog.wordpress.com/2013/05/03/teaching-assistant-vs-actor-how-can-i-do-both/). Posted by Smart Teachers' Blog. 3 May 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Emmerdale star Michael Parr becomes first time dad welcoming baby daughter"](https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/emmerdale-star-michael-parr-becomes-35937596). *[Daily Mirror](/source/Daily_Mirror)*. Retrieved 21 September 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-digitalspy_5-0)** ["'Emmerdale' unveils new regular Ross Barton in storyline twist"](http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s12/emmerdale/news/a526260/emmerdale-unveils-new-regular-ross-barton-in-storyline-twist.html0). *[Digital Spy](/source/Digital_Spy)*. 24 October 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Meet the Barton Boys"](http://www.itv.com/emmerdale/news/casting-news-meet-the-barton-boys). itv.com. Retrieved 10 November 2013.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Irish_News_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Irish_News_7-1) ["'Time to move on': Michael Parr is leaving Emmerdale"](https://www.irishnews.com/magazine/entertainment/2018/05/24/news/-time-to-move-on-michael-parr-is-leaving-emmerdale-1337703/). *The Irish News*. 24 May 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Maxwell_8-0)** Maxwell, Kelsey (2 June 2018). ["Mike Parr: I'm leaving Emmerdale to follow American dream"](http://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/16264790.mike-parr-im-leaving-emmerdale-to-follow-american-dream/). Retrieved 1 July 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Emmerdale and Michael Parr storm the *Inside Soap* Awards"](http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s12/emmerdale/news/a672083/emmerdale-and-michael-parr-storm-the-inside-soap-awards.html#~pqsuMw0G3daaq7). *Digital Spy*. 5 October 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Michael Parr at Mandy Actors"](https://actors.mandy.com/uk/actor/profile/michael-parr/). Retrieved 27 October 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Spackman, Maisie (21 September 2023). ["Emmerdale star returns to TV in new role"](https://metro.co.uk/2023/09/20/emmerdale-michael-parr-the-long-shadow-19526972/). *Metro*. Retrieved 7 October 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Emmerdale teases Ross Barton return in on-set video"](https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/a62238458/emmerdale-spoilers-ross-barton-return-teased/). *Digital Spy*. 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.

## External links

- [Michael Parr](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3477466/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Michael Parr](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Parr) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Parr?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.