Emmerdale star Michael Parr has become one of the ITV soap’s most recognisable faces thanks to his unforgettable portrayal of Ross Barton — a character known for danger, passion and endless drama.

Since arriving in the Yorkshire Dales, Ross has been at the centre of some of the soap’s biggest storylines, from surviving a horrific acid attack to his explosive return in 2024 involving illegal boxing.

But while Ross Barton’s romantic life has always been full of chaos and heartbreak, Michael Parr’s real-life relationships have also attracted plenty of attention from fans.

Away from the drama of Emmerdale, the actor has experienced his own emotional highs and lows — including a private romance with one of his former co-stars and a proposal that nearly went completely wrong.

ITV

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Michael Parr Became An Emmerdale Favourite As Ross Barton

Michael Parr first joined Emmerdale as Ross Barton, quickly becoming a popular figure among viewers.

Ross was introduced as a rebellious and unpredictable character who often found himself involved in dangerous situations. Over the years, he developed into one of the soap’s most complex figures, balancing his darker instincts with moments of vulnerability.

The character has been involved in numerous dramatic relationships, including his recent romance with Charity Dingle, played by Emma Atkins.

Their storyline created major shockwaves when Charity discovered she was pregnant, adding another complicated chapter to Ross’s already turbulent history.

However, while Ross has enjoyed plenty of dramatic romances on screen, Michael’s own love life has followed a very different path.

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Michael Parr’s Secret Romance With Emmerdale Co-Star Isabel Hodgins

Not long after joining the ITV soap, Michael Parr began a relationship with fellow Emmerdale actress Isabel Hodgins, who plays Victoria Sugden.

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The pair kept their romance relatively private in the early stages, rarely sharing details about their relationship publicly.

However, in 2016, they made their relationship Instagram official.

Michael shared a heartfelt birthday message for Isabel, celebrating their connection and praising her as one of the most important people in his life.

The actor wrote:

“Thank you for being the most wonderful and caring best friend a boy could ask for.”

The sweet message showed the strong bond between the pair, with fans delighted to see the two soap stars together away from the screen.

For several years, Michael and Isabel appeared to enjoy a happy relationship while continuing their careers in television.

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Why Michael Parr And Isabel Hodgins Split

Despite their strong connection, Michael and Isabel eventually went their separate ways.

By 2019, reports confirmed that the couple had split after around three years together.

The separation reportedly came after Michael left Emmerdale to explore new opportunities in America, while Isabel remained part of the ITV soap.

A source explained at the time that the pair had simply grown apart while focusing on their own ambitions.

The insider said that although their relationship had ended, they still looked back positively on their time together.

The breakup marked the end of an important chapter in Michael’s personal life, but the actor would later find love again.

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Michael Parr’s New Romance With Isabelle Du Plessis

After his relationship with Isabel Hodgins ended, Michael eventually found happiness with Isabelle Du Plessis.

The pair connected through dating app Hinge and quickly developed a strong relationship.

Their romance continued to grow, and in September 2025, they welcomed their first child together — a daughter named Suzie Rose Parr.

Isabelle shared the happy news with fans by posting photographs introducing their daughter to the world.

The images showed a proud Michael enjoying fatherhood as he held his baby daughter, marking a new and emotional chapter for the actor.

Becoming a father represented a major change for Michael, who had previously spent years portraying the unpredictable Ross Barton on screen.

A New Chapter For The Former Emmerdale Star

Michael Parr’s journey has taken him through some major changes, both professionally and personally.

From playing one of Emmerdale’s most dangerous characters to becoming a father and building a future with Isabelle, the actor’s real-life story has been very different from Ross Barton’s dramatic adventures.

While Ross continues to bring chaos to the Dales, Michael appears to have found stability and happiness away from the soap world.

With a growing family, a new engagement and a successful acting career, the former Emmerdale favourite is now entering an exciting new chapter.

For fans who have followed Michael’s journey since his arrival as Ross Barton, his transformation from soap villain to devoted father is a storyline just as fascinating as anything seen on screen.

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