In a heartwarming twist no one had on their soap bingo card this year, former Emmerdale star Michael Parr has revealed that he’s about to become a dad — and fans are losing it.
The actor, best known for his role as bad boy Ross Barton on the ITV soap, took to Instagram on Sunday night with a surprise announcement that left followers stunned and delighted in equal measure.
📸 A black-and-white snap of two hands holding a tiny pair of baby shoes, with the caption:
“Soon 2 B 3 ❤️”
💬 Fans React: “WAIT, WHAT?!”
Within minutes, soap fans flooded the comment section with congratulations — and pure shock.
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“You kept that quiet! Absolutely buzzing for you, mate!”
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“Ross Barton a dad? I need to sit down.”
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“Didn’t see that coming at ALL — congratulations!!”
Even former Emmerdale co-stars chimed in, including Danny Miller and Natalie J. Robb, who posted heart emojis and inside jokes that hint at just how long Parr had kept the news under wraps.
👶 Who’s the Mum?
Michael has always been fiercely private about his personal life, but it's believed he’s been in a long-term relationship with a non-industry partner, reportedly based in Manchester. The couple have not publicly revealed the due date, but sources close to the actor say the baby is expected later this year.
“He’s over the moon,” one friend told The Mirror. “He’s ready for this next chapter — and he’ll be an amazing dad.”
🧼 From Soap Rebel to Superdad?
Michael Parr left Emmerdale in 2018 after five explosive years on the show, during which Ross Barton became one of the soap’s most complex (and beloved) anti-heroes. Since then, he’s taken on a mix of stage and screen roles, and most recently hinted at a return to UK television.
Now, it looks like fatherhood may be his biggest (and most rewarding) role yet.
“Life moves fast,” Parr wrote in a follow-up story. “But this little one’s already slowing me down in all the right ways.”
📌 Congratulations are in order for one of soapland’s favourite troublemakers — now set to be a doting dad.
🎉 And for fans still processing the baby news? Let’s be honest — no one saw it coming.