Former Emmerdale star Adam Thomas has revealed he is hoping to return to the ITV soap more than eight years after leaving his role as Adam Barton. Speaking at the Inside Soap Awards, the 38-year-old actor said he would love to reprise the part and is waiting for bosses to get in touch.
Eight Years After Leaving the Dales
Adam joined Emmerdale in 2009 as Adam Barton, arriving in the village with the rest of the Barton family, including his on-screen mum Moira, played by Natalie J Robb. His time in the Dales ended in January 2018 when he went on the run after confessing to the murder of Emma Barton, played by Gillian Kearney, in a bid to protect Moira.
Moira had actually pushed Emma from a viaduct, but Adam took the blame and was sent to prison. With the help of his best friend Aaron Dingle, played by Danny Miller, and Cain Dingle, played by Jeff Hordley, Adam escaped from prison and fled to France.
Plea to ITV Bosses
Speaking to the Daily Express at the Inside Soap Awards, Adam said: "I want to come back to Emmerdale. They've not called me. I don't know what I've done wrong. I was in that show for eight years and I thought I did alright! But who knows."
He added: "I feel like the old team are all back together. Mike Parr is back. They're all back apart from me! All the Bartons have come back." Issuing a direct plea to ITV bosses, the actor said: "To anyone from Emmerdale, Adam Barton is not dead, he's just on the run, so if you fancy him coming back, let me know."
Waterloo Road Return
Before Emmerdale, Adam was best known for playing Donte Charles in Waterloo Road. It was this role that earned him the Best Drama Star gong at the Inside Soap Awards. Donte first appeared as a student from 2006 to 2009, before Adam reprised the role in 2023 when the BBC drama returned, this time as a teacher.
In 2009, Donte and his wife Chlo Grainger, played by Katie Griffiths, left to start a new life in Manchester with their newborn daughter Izzy. When the show returned in 2023, viewers discovered the couple were still happily married and had welcomed another child, Tommy. However, fans were left heartbroken when Chlo was killed off during the first episode.
Adam said of Chlo's death: "People were not happy about that. I don't know who's decision that was but it wasn't mine!" He continued: "I wish Chlo was still in it because I felt like Donte and Chlo had a really strong relationship and I think people tuned in to watch their relationship all over again. Then she got killed off in the first episode. It was definitely a big shock but I think that's what they wanted and I think they delivered."
