Emmerdale resident Pete Barton (played by Anthony Quinlan) has been on screens for the last seven years, but it seems 2019 could be his last as the actor has apparently decided to call it ‘quits’ according to an unnamed source.
It comes after The Sun suggested Anthony wanted to take part in other career opportunities.
“Anthony has loved his time on Emmerdale but he is really keen to try and make a name for himself away from just soaps, and is looking at auditions,” the insider explained.
“He says he would be up for doing a reality show too, like the jungle or Strictly, but with a full-on filming schedule for Emmerdale that’s quite tricky.”
Anthony is yet to clarify whether or not him leaving the soap is true, but Express.co.uk has contacted his representative and ITV for a comment.
The farmhand first appeared on screens back in December 2013, when he and his brother Ross Barton (Michael Parr) fought for the affections of Debbie Dingle (Charley Webb).
But how he departs the soap is another matter. Pete Barton fans will remember the turbulent time he has had since arriving in the village.
After winning the Debbie over, the pair were set to the tie the knot until Pete found out she had been having an affair with Ross.
If that wasn’t enough to call off the wedding, their big day was ruined when a helicopter crashes into the venue.
In a dramatic twist, Ross returns to Butler’s Farm and within minutes he and Pete are arguing when punches are thrown and Moira Barton (Natalie J. Robb) accuses Pete of killing his brother again.
Soon after Pete’s confession, he and Debbie split up and their marriage is later annulled.
After a disastrous marriage, Pete makes a pass at Moira, who was married to his uncle John Barton and after his advance was rejected he lashed out at Ross deliberately to get arrested.
Pete then spent months behind bars but returned to Emmerdale back in May 2016 where he has since been working at the farm.
Since then, he has found himself to try with several of the females living in the village.
More recently, he dated Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry) but their relationship hit the rocks when he was involved in an accident up at the farm which resulted in her finding out about the fibroids she had on her womb.
As a result, she had to have a hysterectomy and put into an early menopause, slashing the possibility of Pete ever becoming a father.
Nevertheless, Pete knew his love for Rhona was more than the need to become a father, but their relationship hit the rocks when Kim Tate (Claire King) made a pass at him.
Emmerdale airs weekday evenings at 7pm on ITV.
