Dawn and Ross aren’t having an affair in Emmerdale, despite what Dawn’s estranged husband Billy thinks. But the suggestion that there could be something between them isn’t completely outlandish.

Though of course Dawn is actually playing away with Joe Tate, it’s totally plausible she could be cheating with Ross Barton. Because the pair do have a history together.

With Billy convinced there’s something going on with his wife and her sort-of ex, we thought it was time to recap the relationship history between Dawn and Ross.
Ross and Dawn share a history (Credit: ITV)

How did Dawn and Ross meet in Emmerdale?

Back in 2018, Dawn was an occasional character who popped in and out of storylines in Emmerdale. She was living a difficult life – mixing with drug dealers, dabbling in sex work and generally having a tricky time of things.

Back in the village, Ross was also having a tough time. He had suffered an acid attack. His gruesome attack was organised by Debbie Dingle. She wanted revenge on her ex, Joe Tate and had paid a local drug dealer called Simon McManus to “wipe the smile off Joe’s face”.

Simon decided the best way to do that was to throw acid at Joe, which wasn’t exactly what Debbie had intended. And even worse, Simon got the wrong man!

Unfortunately, Ross had stolen Joe’s car, so he ended up the victim, thanks to a case of mistaken identity.
Simon wanted Dawn to help him track down Simon (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

Who was Simon McManus?

Simon McManus was a drug dealer who had previous history with Emmerdale residents. He had supplied Holly Barton with drugs in the past, before her fatal overdose. He was the perfect person for Debbie to choose for her shady revenge plot on Joe.

Simon also had history with a sex worker called Dawn Taylor.

So after the attack, when Ross wanted to track Simon down, he went to find Dawn.
Dawn and Ross kissed but their relationship never really got off the ground (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

Dawn and Ross grew close

Dawn denied knowing Simon at first, but she eventually admitted she knew him. She and Ross got friendly and she opened up to him about losing her son Lucas due to her drug habit.

Dawn and Ross grew close. The pair shared a few kisses and for a while it looked like romance was blossoming between them.

But despite the chemistry between Dawn and Ross, actually the relationship never quite got off the ground.
Ross and Dawn didn’t really get going (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

Dawn in Emmerdale

The two mates caught up every now and then, with Dawn coming to the village more often. She became friendly with Ryan Stocks too. And when Ross himself turned to drugs to help him deal with the pain of his attack, she helped him kick the habit.

Meanwhile, Ross had also struck up a friendship with Rebecca White and eventually they started a romance.

Ross decided to leave the village and start a new life away from Emmerdale with Rebecca and her son Seb.

Around then, Dawn was having a tricky time of it. She’d lost her house and with nowhere to go, she showed up in Emmerdale. Ross’s brother Pete took pity on her and let her stay with him and his then partner Rhona.

Thanks to meeting up with her one-time stepmum Harriet Finch, Dawn eventually settled in the village and she’s now part of the furniture!

And despite her new steamy affair with Joe Tate, we still think there’s chemistry between Dawn and Ross. Will something happen this time round?