Emmerdale’s Finn Barton dies as gunshot wound proves fatal

Actor Joe Gill has bowed out from the role after four years.

Finn failed to recover from a cardiac arrest and was declared dead by doctors in the opening scenes of tonight’s (5th October) episode.

Earlier this week, viewers saw crazy Emma Barton (Gillian Kearney) inadverently inflict a gunshot wound on her youngest son. After stumbling into the path of Cain and Harriet’s car, Finn was rushed to hospital, but his condition failed to stabilise.

“What we were trying to go for was a big shock [and] a big twist in the show and I hope the audience have got that,” Joe noted of his alter-ego’s demise.

 

“I spoke to Iain, our producer, as far back as late February. I just felt like my time had naturally come to an end and I wanted to play a different character, but I’ve absolutely loved it. I’ve not got a bad word to say about this place.”

 

“When you decide that you’d like to leave, your character’s fate is always left in the hands of the producer and the writers. You do feel slightly sorry for them [your character] but whatever’s best for the show is the way it’s going to go.”

Finn arrived in Emmerdale in 2013 alongside his father James (Bill Ward) and brothers Pete (Anthony Quinlan) and Ross (Michael Parr). The extended Barton family were introduced by former Crossroads script editor and current Corrie boss Kate Oates as she set about making her stamp on the rural saga.

Finn’s storylines were of a lighter nature initially with comedy at the B&B where he worked for Val and Eric, the former developing a particular spot for him. However, more serious material soon followed including an obsessive relationship and the discovery that his mum Emma had killed his father James.

“I really enjoyed it when I first came into the show and Finn was working in the B&B with Eric and Val. We did a lot of comedy scenes and the writers and myself got to know the character through that. I look back on that time with great pride and happiness. [There was also] the big story where Finn went to find his mother and Gill came into the show and the Barton family has always been at the forefront of super soap week.

 

“[What’s next] I’m back auditioning. I’ve decided not to do a panto this year to see if anything else will come up, but I’m not sure in the next few months. I’m excited by the possibilities of what could happen.” – Joe Gill

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7.00pm on ITV/STV/UTV