Wedding bells are on the horizon for Michael Parr.

The Emmerdale favourite, best known for playing troubled bad boy Ross Barton, has officially announced his engagement to longtime partner Isabelle Du Plessis following an emotional safari proposal in South Africa.

The actor’s happy personal news has delighted fans, especially as Michael and Isabelle have spent the last few years quietly building a life together away from the spotlight — including welcoming their baby daughter in 2025.

Isabelle Du Plessis Shares Emotional Engagement Announcement

Isabelle first revealed the engagement on Instagram, posting a series of intimate photographs capturing the romantic moment in the South African wilderness.

Alongside the images, she shared a heartfelt caption celebrating their relationship and growing family.

“One day you’ll meet a complete stranger, and they’ll end up becoming the most important person in your life,” she wrote. “I love this life with you and our gorgeous little girl.”

The emotional post quickly drew congratulations from fans and fellow soap stars alike, with many calling the proposal “movie-worthy” and “absolutely beautiful.”

A Love Story That Began On Hinge

Michael and Isabelle reportedly met on dating app Hinge in 2023, and their relationship quickly became serious.

Just two years later, the couple welcomed daughter Suzie Rose Parr in September 2025 — a life-changing milestone Michael has openly described as transformative.

The actor previously spoke candidly about becoming a father, particularly after Isabelle endured hyperemesis gravidarum during pregnancy, a severe condition that causes extreme nausea and sickness.

When announcing Suzie’s birth on Instagram, Michael shared an emotional tribute that resonated deeply with fans.

“I understand unconditional love for the first time,” he wrote in part, before describing fatherhood as the most meaningful experience of his life.

The actor also promised his daughter he would always make her feel “safe, supported, and loved,” with followers praising the message for its honesty and vulnerability.

Inside Michael Parr’s Romantic Safari Proposal

Speaking later about the engagement, Michael revealed the proposal took place during a family trip to South Africa with Isabelle’s relatives.

The actor admitted he spent much of the holiday quietly searching for the perfect moment to ask the life-changing question.

According to Isabelle, Michael repeatedly encouraged her to join him on a bushwalk despite her initial reluctance.

“He kept asking me to go on this bushwalk,” she recalled. “I wasn’t really that interested.”

But the hesitation ultimately led to a moment neither of them will ever forget.

Michael explained that while they were out walking, two elephants approached a nearby watering hole and began wrapping their trunks around one another.

“A bull elephant and its partner came to the watering hole,” he said. “They started wrapping their trunks around each other. It looked like they were kissing. It felt romantic and symbolic.”

Inspired by the surreal moment, Michael seized the opportunity.

Using what he jokingly described as a “cheesy line,” he asked Isabelle: “What do you think is more beautiful, those elephants or this ring?”

He then pulled out the engagement ring and proposed.

‘I Cried A Lot’: Isabelle Opens Up About Emotional Moment

The proposal immediately overwhelmed Isabelle emotionally.

“I turned around and saw the box,” she shared. “I cried a lot. I was so emotional. I completely forgot about everyone else around us.”

Although the couple have not yet chosen a wedding date or venue, they are reportedly focusing on enjoying their engagement and family life before diving into wedding planning.

For now, Isabelle says they are simply enjoying “every moment” together.

Michael Parr Shares Heartfelt Tribute To His Future Wife

Michael later followed the announcement with his own touching social media tribute to Isabelle.

“More than I want a wedding, more than I want a spectacle… I want to be a husband. Her husband,” he wrote.

The actor also thanked Isabelle for making him a father and said he could not wait to continue travelling through life with her and their daughter by his side.

The deeply personal post gave fans another glimpse into a softer side of the actor, whose soap alter ego Ross Barton is often known for chaos, violence, and emotional conflict.

Michael Parr Remains A Fan Favourite As Ross Barton

Soap viewers will instantly recognise Michael as Ross Barton, one of Emmerdale’s most layered and unpredictable characters.

Since arriving in the Dales, Ross has been involved in some of the show’s biggest storylines — including revenge plots, criminal schemes, heartbreak, and his devastating acid attack storyline, which earned widespread praise for its emotional depth.

Over the years, audiences have watched Ross evolve from a reckless troublemaker into a more emotionally vulnerable figure capable of growth and redemption.

That evolution, combined with Michael Parr’s powerful performances, has cemented Ross as one of the soap’s most enduring fan favourites.

And now, away from the drama of the village, it seems Michael Parr is enjoying a much happier chapter in real life.