Star of the year!

Michael Parr (ROSS BARTON)

We hear rumours that Ross has a major storyline in store this year…

Yes, there’s something big coming – but I can’t tell you anything about it! It’s the most excited I’ve been about a plot since I got here, but we’ve not started it yet.

That sounds like a juicy development!

Yeah. It’s something to sink my teeth into and study for. It’s not like I can just get the scripts and learn my lines

– there are a lot of things that I’ve got to learn, and a lot of acting technique will be involved. It’s not a very straightforward storyline…

Are you still enjoying working closely with Anthony Quinlan (Pete), particularly now you’re the last Bartons standing?

Yes, I always enjoy doing stuff with

Quinny. I feel like we have to have each other’s backs now we’re the last two Bartons left. It’s lovely to work with him, and when we’re together we always have a laugh.

Is it quite emotional for the two of you, having lost all your Barton co-stars?

Well, I think me and Quinny are looking at each other and thinking, ‘We need to up our game to hang on to our jobs…’! When

Donna died, I was back working again on the Monday after, and I was sobbing as I was gutted that

Verity Rushworth, who played her, had gone. This time it’s different because there was a bigger break in time – but if you do get emotional about stuff, you can just use it in your character’s performance.

What is it like for you doing the emotional scenes?

They are my favourite ones, other than when I get to be rude to people! Emotional scenes are what you are always praying for, as you want to flex that side of your acting ability.

Do you think there’s any chance of Ross’ romance with Debbie being rekindled, now she and Joe have split?

I hope not. Ross has been so lovely to Debbie, and whenever Sarah is in need he does these naughty jobs, then gives her all the money. But she’s so cold-hearted! I think handsome Joe was my upgrade…