One of our favourite Emmerdale stars is leaving the soap

After five years in the dales, Mike Parr is moving on to pastures new.

The actor, who plays Ross Barton on ITV's Emmerdale, is set to exit the soap this year, it's been confirmed "Michael Parr will leave Emmerdale later this year at the end of his current contract," acting series editor Kate Brooks told The Sun. "His decision to pursue other acting opportunities has given the writing team the opportunity to create an intriguing storyline for his exit. "Michael, who is nominated for Best Actor at the British Soap Awards next month, will leave the show on a high after brilliantly portraying Ross for five years." Mike himself also confirmed his departure in a tweet.

Yes I’ll be leaving the soap soon. Have had the best few years at Emmerdale but it’s time to move on and explore other avenues. If I win that soap award I might stay though ???? https://t.co/GraJGuxg1j

— Michael Parr (@MikeParrActor) May 23, 2018

He didn't share the reason for his exit, other than saying he wanted to explore other avenues, but it's thought that he's fed up with his character's dark storylines. "Mike has told anyone who will listen how much he hated his storylines and what bosses had done with his character," a show source told the publication. "He particularly hated the makeup he had to wear for the acid attack storyline. He’s been fed up for ages and has finally told bosses he’s off." It's unclear where Mike might be headed next but he has reportedly told friends that he'd like to get out of acting altogether. He appears on a weekly MMA podcast and is looking into becoming an MMA fighter, the source said.