Emmerdale favourite reveals why he'll never find true love after tragic death

Emmerdale heartthrob Michael Parr, who plays the rugged Ross Barton, has said that his character has only ever had one true love - Donna Windsor. Their romance bloomed a decade ago but ended in heartbreaking circumstances when Donna, battling terminal cancer, tragically decided to end her life during a police chase.

While Ross is casually seeing newcomer Steph Miligan, played by Georgia Jay, Michael believes no one can hold a candle to Donna, portrayed by Verity Rushworth, and he isn't looking for a replacement. "I don’t want to see Ross fall in love or get married or have kids," the 38 year old actor admits. "Ross’ USP is that he’s a loner, so I would like to keep him as a rogue. But he’s now 34, so I do wonder, does the way that Ross lives get a bit sad?".

Ross's experience with Donna was significant, Michael reveals, saying, "Being with Donna, that was Ross’ first experience of love. And when love is snatched away from you, you’re always going to glamourise it and think about what could have been. Nobody lives up to Donna in his eyes."

READ MORE: I'm A Celeb fans baffled by 'comment they weren't meant to hear' at the end of last night's episode

READ MORE: ITV Loose Women's Christine Lampard announces 'breaking news' as she pauses show

The Emmerdale star isn't convinced that Ross is cut out for relationships, considering his history. "I think Ross must have abandonment issues just from the fact that his brother, mum, dad and girlfriend are all dead," says Michael. "I’d say Ross is definitely comfortable in chaos. What’s that Nietzsche quote? ‘In times of peace warlike people will turn on themselves.’".

"I think that’s a good way to look at Ross. When there are shenanigans going on, he’s actually very calm. It’s when people are being nice to him that he isn’t. You know where you stand with an enemy. He doesn’t know where he stands with people who are telling him they love him, because he always thinks there’s an agenda."

There's plenty of drama in store for Ross this week as he embarks on a mission to rescue Donna’s daughter, April Windsor (Amelia Flanagan). He's left horrified when he discovers April being held captive in the same place where her mum tragically died.

The young girl is threatened by a man working for Jade (Twinnie-Lee Moore) – who demands Ross to hand over some missing cash. "It’s hugely traumatic for Ross, and it brings back the worst memories of Donna," reveals Michael. "Witnessing someone die, especially your first love – to fall off a roof chained to a paedophile! It’s quite a traumatic event for him. Now there’s a child at risk, and Ross has a strong bond with April, due to her being Donna’s daughter."

"Ross feels like he’s some sort of big brother or a paternal figure in her life, even though he hasn’t seen her for a little while. The whole ordeal is largely down to Ross’ relationship with Jade – that’s the reason this happens. Even though it isn’t his fault that the money goes missing, he still feels responsible."

"Ross is on the edge, doing everything he can to ensure April doesn't face a demise like her mother." Meanwhile, off-screen, Michael couldn't be more chuffed working with Amelia, who has grown so much since they first met, now being 10 years older.

"She’s becoming a real little adult," he shared fondly. "It was so bizarre how amazing she was when she first came in. She was four years old and she always knew her lines and she was good at saying, ‘That’s not your line, this is actually what you say.’ Amelia was so aware of what was going on, and she’s really kept that up – she’s a fine young actress. She’s also a lot of fun, she’s got a real sense of humour."

Back in the Dales, trouble is brewing for Ross, especially with April's dad Marlon (portrayed by Mark Charnock) simmering with displeasure. Yet, Michael admits he relishes these storyline twists where Ross finds himself in hot water.

He says, "It means I get to work with loads of different people, so that’s what I’m grateful about. I’m grateful to be working with some old faces and I’ve got Georgia and Will Ash [who plays Caleb Miligan] and those guys I haven’t worked with before. Ross is a fun character to play. That’s why I don’t want him to get married and settle down."

"I’ve done the baby thing with Arthur [Cockroft], who plays [Ross’ son] Moses. He was like two hours old, it felt like, the first time I had him in my arms. That’s been good fun and I also can’t wait to see what happens to him as he gets older. Ross has got this obnoxious gold chain, so I want to get Moses one and have us causing trouble together."

Watch Emmerdale Mon-Thurs, 7.30pm, ITV and ITVX.