All change at Emmerdale as THIS fan favourite announces shock departure from the soap

Emmerdale

It has been announced that Anthony Quinlan will be leaving Emmerdale...

It has been revealed that actor Anthony Quinlan has quit his role of Pete Barton in Emmerdale after six years on the soap.

The news will hit Emmerdale fans hard after the character of Pete has become a firm favourite amongst viewers since he joined the show back in 2013 thanks to huge storylines like his long-running feud with brother Ross Barton.

Pete has also seen the untimely demise of many family members, including his mum Emma, dad James and his younger brother Finn.

A source reportedly told The Sun, "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.

"He says he would be up for doing a reality TV show to, like the jungle or Strictly, but with a full-on filming schedule for Emmerdale that's quite tricky."

The Barton family in Emmerdale

Anthony arrived in Emmerdale as Pete Barton back in 2013 (Picture: ITV)

While ITV are remaining tight-lipped about Anthony bowing out of the show, the news was confirmed by This Morning soap expert Sharon Marshall.

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She told viewers today: "It is true, he wants to go on and do other projects."

"We can't tell you how he leaves because it hasn't actually been written yet... but yes, he is leaving although it won't be for a while."

‘Ross Barton is practically suicidal’ says Emmerdale star Mike Parr

Pete and Ross had a fraught sibling relationship over the years (Picture: ITV)

But there is plenty more drama to come before Anthony leaves.

Pete is set to find himself at the centre of drama in Emmerdale once again when he becomes the next person to find out Moira Dingle and Nate Robinson are having an affair.

But will he be the one to tell Cain what his wife has been up to behind his back?

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7pm on ITV, with an extra episode at 8pm on Thursdays.

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 


After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off


She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 


As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.