Mike Parr has revealed he actually quit Emmerdale last year but was persuaded to stay for the acid attack storyline.
The actor has told how he always intended to bow out of the soap after four years playing bad boy Ross Barton.
But when he came to quit he was convinced to stay by the writers coming up with a never before done storyline for him
Speaking to the St Helen’s Star, he said: “I almost didn’t take on the acid attack storyline as I was ready to go last year, but I told the writers that I’d stay for a story they had never done before.
“When they came up with the acid attack I felt it was a challenge.”
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However he revealed that his desire to play different roles has meant that he has to leave the soap.
He said: “I love working at Emmerdale but I’m just ready to go.
“I went to drama school and have spent five years in Emmerdale, so I would like to take on new things.”
The actor also rubbished claims he had decided to leave the soap because of the acid attack storyline.
Speaking to DigitalSpy, he hit back at the claims saying: “Do you not think that I thought, can you imagine me going, ‘Well, I didn’t think I was going to have to put make-up on my face every day’.
“Of course I knew that going into it.”
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He added: ”I’ve enjoyed every second of the storyline.”
Viewers have watched as Mike’s character Ross suffered the aftermath of the horrific acid attack and sought revenge on those responsible.
However, he suffered a setback last week when he learned Debbie Dingle was ultimately behind the attack, albeit accidentally.
It has not yet been revealed how Mike will leave the soap, but it’s set to be explosive.
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