Pete Barton had better turn up the romance in his relationship with Debbie Dingle – or he might lose her to his little brother Ross.

Emmerdale producer Kate Oates has hinted Debbie (Charley Webb) could be set to ditch Pete (Anthony Quinlan) for bad boy Ross (Michael Parr).

Emmerdale's Ross Barton played by Michael Parr (ITV)
Emmerdale’s Ross Barton played by Michael Parr (ITV)

According to Digital Spy, the soap boss teased: “Ross will always be a thorn in his brother’s side and Debbie does always like a bad boy.

“The question is: will it cause problems or can she actually remain focused and stay with the man who really would probably make her happiest?”

Debbie Dingle and Pete Barton are in a relationship (ITV)
Debbie Dingle and Pete Barton are in a relationship (ITV)

Debbie and Ross did grow close last year, but she has moved on with Pete. Ross is nursing a broken heart after the death of his lover Donna Windsor (Verity Rushworth).

Kate said: “I am really excited about Debbie’s relationship with Pete and it has definitely grounded her. We’ve seen her make sacrifices for him that she’d never make for anyone else, for example, when she was going to put Charity in prison to save him.

Ross and Pete Barton with their brother Finn (ITV)
Ross and Pete Barton with their brother Finn (ITV)

“It represents a lot that’s been missing from her life – proper stability, someone she can trust and someone who can be a father to her kids. But Ross is always on the sidelines.”