Emmerdale return ‘sealed’ for Pete Barton after telling scene as Ross exits village

There could be a big return on Emmerdale after hints in the latest episode (Image: ITV)

There could be a big return on Emmerdale after hints in the latest episode of the ITV soap.

Fans have been calling for the return for ages, especially since Ross Barton’s own comeback late last year. Now, a scene on Tuesday night may have been the biggest hint yet that a return for Pete Barton could finally happen.

Nothing in the episode or spoilers confirmed it for sure, but it will certainly raise hopes and get fans talking. The fan favourite played by actor Anthony Quinlan left the show in 2020.

When Ross returned last year he commented that he wasn’t really in touch with Pete, with it hinted they’d not seen each other for a while. But Ross clearly cared for his brother in the latest visit to the Dales, even fleeing the village to go and see him immediately after getting some upsetting news.

Ross feared he was about to lose one of the few family members he had left(Image: ITV)

During Tuesday’s hour-long episode, which dropped on ITVX in the morning before airing on ITV1 in the evening, Ross was seen spying on Joe Tate and Dr Crowley. Convinced they were up to something, he and Kim Tate were trying to get to the bottom of it.

Ross approached their car as they spoke and soon Crowley wanted him out the way. It seems Joe took violent action, as shortly after Ross got a phone call about his brother.

He learned he had been rushed to hospital after being violently attacked for no reason. Having already lost his parents, his brother and his girlfriend in recent years, it was clear Ross feared he was about to lose one of the few family members he had left.

He confided in Charity Dingle, telling her he needed to go and see Pete. He feared he could lose him as they were keeping him in hospital, with Charity noting it sounded serious.

Emmerdale may have teased a return for a past character on the ITV soap(Image: ITV)

With that a panicked Ross exited the village abruptly to go and be with Pete. But will Pete be okay, and is Joe behind it all?

It will certainly reignite calls from fans for Pete to make a full-time comeback, and perhaps the mention of the character and the fact he and Ross are still in touch could be a tease that he may one day return. Pete had actually left the village in 2020 to go and be with his brother in Liverpool.

It’s not entirely clear what happened in the time since his exit and Ross’ return, with it hinted the brothers had drifted slightly. So perhaps Pete’s attack will be what brings them closer together again!

Ross hasn’t left the show for good while he told Charity he wasn’t sure when he would be back. Could Pete return with him?