viewers got as much of a shock as Ross Barton (played by Michael Parr) was told a huge family secret by Moira Dingle (Natalie J.Robb) on the soap. Showing her marital nephew the letter she had been carrying around she explained it was the reason she had been acting strangely. As he scanned the contents of the letter she asked him if he knew his mother had another son. Clearly shocked he shook his head and stormed out in disbelief.

Taking to X viewers shared their thoughts on the unexpected "newcomer" to the show. "I don't think Ross knew about his half brother #Emmerdale @emmerdale," one speculated. "Ross got a brother? Wasn't expecting that #Emmerdale," another wrote. "Not another family member #emmerdale," another sighed. "Oh no! Not another long lost relative that's gonna show up in #Emmerdale," a fourth lamented. "Did you know your mother had another son? Only in soaps & Long lost relatives where they have people over 60," a fifth quipped. Meanwhile a sixth predicted this could be bad news for Moira writing: With Ross's half brother due to appear, Moira could have another MH relapse. #Emmerdale @emmerdale."

Ross clearly didn't beleive the news at first however Moira assured him it was authentic and that it was his late mother Emma Barton's (Gillian Kearney) name was on the birth cert.

This paves the way for Ross mysterious half sibling Lewis to make an entrance in next weeks episodes. Bosses have already confirmed he will be played by Heartstopper and star Bradley Riches.

It has been teased his presence will not only ruffles Ross' feathers but also awaken the past for Moira.

Bradley, 23, revealed how he landed the role in a recent press chat.

"I was at the NTAs (National Television Awards) for Big Brother, they were nominated for best reality," he recalled

While waiting for a taxi home from the event he was chatting with 's boss, Laura Shaw, who wanted a video for her Heartstopper fan daughter. "I asked Laura: 'What do you do on the show?' and she said: 'I'm the producer!' I said I'd always wanted to be in a soap, 's my granddad's favourite. Laura said: 'This is Faye, the casting director.'

"They said they'd message my agent to get me in for a meeting and I thought: 'Yeah, right, I bet they'll message my agent!' But the next week, they actually did!"

Bradley then revealed that he initially auditioned for a different character, saying: "I came in for the role of Dylan first [the homeless teenager who supported April Windsor when she went missing], but then this role of Lewis Barton came up."