A dark new storyline lies ahead for Ross Barton, who has turned to drugs to “get his sparkle back”.
Emmerdale fans watched in disbelief last night (Thursday 2 August) as Ross gave into temptation and took cocaine.
The troubled mechanic has been spiralling more and more out of control ever since the horrifying acid attack that left him scarred for life.
Read more: Emmerdale spoiler: Graham Foster will be back!
Ross was offered the highly-addictive drug after doing some seriously shady business with dodgy associate Gaz.
Selling him Lawrence White’s stolen cars, Ross asked to be paid in cash. However, Gaz suggested an “alternative form of payment”.
Although Ross rejected the offer, he later returned home with an envelope of cash AND a secretly stashed bag of cocaine.
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After he’d snorted the white powder, Pete and Rhona commented that he’d got his old “sparkle” back.
A bushy-tailed Ross replied: “You’re going to be seeing a lot more of that sparkle. I reckon the old Ross is back!”
Earlier this year, Ross became addicted to prescription painkillers in a bid to lessen the pain of his facial scarring.
He’s been on a path of self-destruction since his attack, and the disappearance of his friend and on-off flame Rebecca White hasn’t helped, leaving him to believe he’s been “dumped”.
Is Ross about to relapse into addiction?
Fans were shocked by the latest twist of events, with one saying: “I’m disappointed in Ross. What’s it going to take for him to stop doing drugs? Him getting hospitalised?”
why do i get the horrible feeling ross' exit will involve an overdose? #emmerdale
— • Kace™ || #nofunclub ♡ (@FunGh0ulz) August 2, 2018
I knew when Ross was looking at them drugs that he would end up coming home with some. He’s going to end up becoming a drug addict now. Not happy about this. #Emmerdale
— Michael Parr's Squad (@MikeParrSquad) August 2, 2018
#Emmerdale I’m disappointed in Ross. What’s it going to take for him to stop doing drugs? Him getting hospitalised?
— Jamie “Prestigious” Holmes (@JamiePrestigio1) August 2, 2018
Oh god no Ross 😮 please don’t go there #emmerdale
— Connie (@Connie_NJR_LG) August 2, 2018
What are you doing Ross? You know what happened to your cousin! #emmerdale
— Vicky 💙 (@deadstar37) August 2, 2018
What on earth are #Emmerdale doing to Ross?! Having him take cocaine! Really?
— Charlotte King (@Charlotte_K13) August 3, 2018
Ross mate, please get some help #Emmerdale (P.S. if you wanna go for a walk in the woods please do, it would be really helpful if you could rescue your girlfriend from her serial killer nephew thanks)
— Victoria Brown (@VickoBrown) August 2, 2018
“Oh god no Ross please don’t go there,” added another.
A third said: “What are you doing Ross? You know what happened to your cousin!”
One worried ITV viewer even predicted Ross will leave the village after “an overdose”.
Emmerdale fans know that Mike Parr, who plays Ross, is leaving the soap later this year. Will this new twist play a part in Ross’ departure?
Show producer Kate Brooks has promised “an intriguing storyline for his exit”, but will it tie in with the drugs?
How do you think Ross Barton will leave the village? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!