POOR PETE’S IN PIECES!

Killer mum. Dead brother. Baby scandal. No wonder Emmerdale’s Pete is suffering, says Anthony Quinlan

Emmerdale’s residents are reeling from last week’s disaster, and none more so than poor Pete Barton. His mother killed his brother before plunging to her death, he discovered she’d previously killed his dad – and to top it off he could be the father of his aunt Moira’s baby.

‘It’s an understatement to say this is a tough time for Pete,’ says Anthony Quinlan, who plays him. ‘His mum and brother are dead, he may have a new baby with his uncle John’s widow and he’s found out what his mum was really like. It’s been bombshell after bombshell, and he’s in pieces.’ But Pete’s troubles won’t stop there, says Anthony. ‘There’s always drama in Emmerdale – and a lot more to come.’

Viewers last week saw the village plunged into chaos as Pete’s mum Emma helped save her pregnant nemesis Moira from a fire in a barn, then accidentally shot dead her son Finn before falling to her death from a bridge (mirroring the way she killed her husband James – by pushing him from an overpass).

‘Pete can’t really come to terms with it all,’ says Anthony. ‘It’s his mum, so he’s naturally gutted she’s gone, but given what she’s done, perhaps he thinks Emmerdale would be a better place without her. He’s in denial, smarting from the shame it brings on the family, as well as being distraught at the loss of his brother.’

Yet Pete has to be strong for the sake of the baby. Anthony, who joined Emmerdale in 2013, says, ‘Initially he’s overcome with shock, and doesn’t want anything to do with the baby. But then he thinks, “This is my child, I’ve got to do the right thing”, and he does step up to the plate.’

But the baby’s paternity hasn’t been confirmed, reveals Anthony. ‘There’s

a test coming to see whether he’s Pete or Cain’s son, because Moira slept with them both last Christmas. So this storyline will run and run.’

Not only has it been an emotional rollercoaster for Pete, it’s been tough on Anthony too. ‘It’s been draining,’ he admits. ‘But the show’s flying, and it’s so exciting to film. I’ve been full of adrenaline and loving it.’

Even so, he’s sad to be saying goodbye to Gillian Kearney and Joe Gill, who played Emma and Finn. ‘Joe and I came in at the same time,

and he’s a top lad who’s going to be missed, while Gillian’s become like a second mum to me. It’s sad, but the show must go on.’

Could Pete follow them out of the show? ‘There’s always that possibility,’ admits Anthony. ‘I’ve got to hope the writers make Pete more a part of village life. While I love being here and don’t want to go anywhere soon, if your time’s up, there’s not much you can do. But I do think there are a few more surprises to come for Pete.’