ITV Share By Kerry Barrett May 20 2025 By Kerry Barrett May 20 2025 Adam Barton in Emmerdale: where he is now, why everyone thinks he murdered Emma, and talk of a return We're desperate for Adam to return to the village! Adam Barton Adam Thomas Share By Kerry Barrett May 20 2025 By Kerry Barrett May 20 2025 Adam Barton hasn’t been seen in Emmerdale for many years, but he got a mention in today’s episode when Ross and new brother Lewis were discussing their family. Lewis mentioned that Adam was the one who killed Emma Barton – both Ross and Lewis’s mum – and Ross didn’t say anything to the contrary. But Cain and Moira were both alarmed by Lewis and Ross getting to know each other and Lewis asking questions about Adam and his mum. So what’s the story? Adam and Aaron were best friends (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock) Who is Adam Barton in Emmerdale? Adam is Moira’s son. It was thought her first husband John Barton was his dad, but much later Adam discovered that John’s brother, James, was his biological father. article continues below Read all the latest spoilers This makes Adam a half-brother to Isaac, Matty and the late Holly on his mum’s side, and to Ross, Pete and the late Fin on his dad’s. He’s also Victoria Sugden’s ex-husband, and Aaron Dingle’s best friend. Adam took the blame for Moira killing Emma (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock) Who killed Emma Barton? Emma Barton died in 2017 in a plunge from the viaduct. At the time, viewers didn’t know who’d killed her. But in December of that same year, it was revealed that Moira had been the one to push Emma from the viaduct. Moira told Cain everything and then she went to the police and told them, too. She was arrested, but when Adam found out what his mum had done, he made his own – false – confession. Moira was released, and Adam was charged with Emma’s murder. But it didn’t end there. Though Moira was determined to clear Adam’s name, Cain and Aaron took matters into their own hands. As Adam was being taken to court, Cain and Aaron intercepted the police van. They helped Adam escape the country. Since then Moira’s also told Pete and Ross the truth about their mum’s death. So where is Adam now? Adam ended up in Budapest in Hungary. Though he and Vic were still together when he left, it turned out he’d met someone new in Hungary. When Victoria found out he’d made a false confession she wanted to clear his name, but her brother Robert made sure she knew what he’d been up to. After Aaron’s boyfriend Ben Tucker was murdered by Meena Jutla at the end of 2021, Aaron needed to get away. He left Emmerdale and went to stay with Adam. In 2022, it was Adam who called Cain and told him Aaron had gone off the rails and he needed to come and get him. And just last year, Moira went to visit Adam before her brain surgery. Adam has said he would return to Emmerdale (Credit: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock) Could Adam Barton return to Emmerdale? It definitely makes sense for Adam to return, especially now Ross is back. And Matty could also do with a sympathetic sibling after he lost his wife Amy in the limo crash. Adam and Victoria have unfinished business, too. Plus it’s always felt a bit odd that Moira let her son take the blame for a crime she committed. Adam Thomas, who played Adam Barton is currently starring in Waterloo Road. He also took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2023 and along with his brother Ryan, he hosts the game show 99 to Beat. Busy as he is, Adam has said he’d love to come back to Emmerdale one day. Make it happen, Emmerdale! Read more: Who’s leaving Emmerdale? All the cast exits, arrivals and returns Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm, with an early release on ITVX at 7am. Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm. Visit our Facebook page @emmerdaleinsider for all the latest Emmerdale news, gossip and spoilers and let us know what you think! Or find us on Twitter@emmerdaleinside Share this: Click to share on X (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) Good to Know Share By Kerry Barrett May 20 2025 By Kerry Barrett May 20 2025
