Returning to Emmerdale to much fanfare last year, Ross Barton has been the shot in the arm that the soap needed. At first glance, Ross appeared to be just another macho meathead, turning up as Billy got himself involved in a shady underground boxing ring.

With British soaps hardly lacking in the overly aggressive hardman department, it seemed as though Ross would be just another lunkhead, set to throw his weight around and feud with the various men of the village.

And, for a while, it looked as though that may be the case. Returning to town, Ross immediately gave Mack a thumping and then attacked Will Taylor, on Kim’s orders.

Ross Barton – Emmerdale secret weapon?

However, in the months which followed, it became increasingly clear that Ross is much more than just another Cain Dingle wannabe. Somewhere, between the one-liners, the beating up Mack and Joe, and his sweet friendship with April, he’s emerged as my favourite character on the soap right now.

Here’s why Ross Barton is the best thing to happen to Emmerdale since… well, the last time he was in Emmerdale.

He’s hilarious

If there’s one thing actor Michael Parr has showcased since his return to the soap, it’s a sense of comic timing. What separates Ross from the rest of the gangsters and hardmen in soapdom, is that he’s genuinely very funny.

Whether it’s putting on a ridiculous posh voice to report Kammy to the police last night (Wednesday, March 19), or pulling up a pew to enjoy the showdown between Mary and Vanessa last week, Ross is consistently hilarious.

Even when he’s engaging in typical hardman business, he manages to do so with a sense of humour. Just look at his kidnapping of Joe Tate – describing himself as ‘like Batman’ to Charity afterwards.

Or his delivery of “I don’t know if that’s an insult or not” when Joe described him as being ‘perspicacious’ (to be fair, I also had to look it up). In a time when British soaps are getting more and more depressing, Ross brings a much-needed element of comic relief.

Your average Cain Dingle or Phil Mitchell could never.

He has depth

Since returning to the village, Ross began to bond with his ex’s daughter, April Windsor. One might argue that her disappearance was partly his fault – burdening her with the bombshell that her mum had killed herself – but their scenes together have been genuinely warm and sweet.

Helping Marlon in the search, Ross proved that he was about more than just looking after number one. And, as he reunited with April at Donna’s grave afterwards, the resulting scenes were some of the best the soap has aired this year.

Ross is one of the most interesting characters on Emmerdale

An acid attack survivor, painkiller addict and thug with a heart of gold, Ross is one of the soap’s most interesting personalities. Although he may have reverted back to type since his return, his previous stint showed that he is capable of growth and reflection.

The soap would do well to utilise more of that history and growth we all know is beneath the surface.

He has chemistry with everyone

Spotting a spark between the pair when he returned last year, many fans were quick to speculate that a Charity and Ross affair was on the cards. Sure, their chemistry is off the charts, but that’s just part of the Ross Barton charm.

Ross has chemistry with just about everyone he shares a scene with – telling Mack to ‘go polish your tractor’ earlier this week, for instance. And, going back to his kidnapping of Joe, he even managed to make the never-ending ‘did Joe spike Noah’ saga seem a bit more interesting.

Today’s episode saw Ross find a job on Home Farm under Kim Tate, proving that he could even melt the ice Queen herself.

He’s a dolt

Returning amid Billy’s bareknuckle boxing story, it seemed as though the soap was setting up Ross as yet another fearsome hardman. And how did Ross react? By immediately getting knocked out cold by Billy.

Ross’s comic incompetence has become a recurring theme. Going to rescue April from Jade, only to be bailed out by Mack and Aaron; threatening Will and accidentally ‘killing’ him instead; nearly killing Joe by locking him in the barn; having to dispose of Kim’s nicked horse; nothing ever goes to plan for poor Ross.

The man’s uselessness is endearing, and another reason why his return has been anything but a failure.

What’s next for Ross in Emmerdale?

While Ross’s return has been entertaining, there’s no denying that he’s been a bit wasted since coming back. Reduced to a henchman for Kim and Charity, he’s featured in major storylines, but yet to have one of his own.

Between the character’s rich history in the soap and actor Michael Parr’s performance, Ross deserves a chance to shine. Thankfully, tonight’s episode seemed to hint at bigger things for Ross.

A job as security for Kim should put him in the thick of the action. What fresh chaos will the business partnership of Ross and Kim bring? Well, Dawn and Joe will want to watch their backs for starters.

The soap also hinted at a future relationship with Kammy, whose theft of Kim’s horse left even Ross shocked. Kammy’s winning few friends at the moment but, when things settle down, one can imagine he’ll make a fun sidekick for Ross.

Meanwhile, now he’s been dumped by Steph, he’s free to be with someone as fun and interesting as he is. A Charity reunion, perhaps? Or someone new, and on his page?

With things on the up for Ross, let’s give him the the future in Emmerdale he deserves! Or, failing that, more jokes at Mack’s expense will do.