Chris Coghill, who plays Kev Townsend in Emmerdale, has opened up about his character's difficult journey to bond with his newly discovered son, Lewis Barton (Bradley Riches). Kev, who first appeared as Robert Sugden's husband, was revealed last year to be Lewis's biological father after a one-night stand with his mum, Emma, years ago.
Kev's Return and Revelation
Kev initially left the village without telling Lewis the truth, but returned in June this year and announced he was Lewis's real dad through a performance of 'Father and Son' (the Boyzone version). Their relationship has been rocky, with Lewis's brother Ross (Mike Parr) often interfering, but Kev remains determined.
Chris explains: "He is who he is, but he does want to make things right with Lewis. He does love Lewis, he does want to be a dad."
A Difficult Change
The actor admits that Kev's upbringing and life of crime make it hard for him to be a father figure. "His entire personality is based around his experiences of growing up and how he's lived his life, so it's a big f***ing deal for him to change his entire existence, but it is happening through love with Lewis."
He adds: "He grew up doing what his dad wanted and it was essentially a life of crime, it was a twisted way of surviving, but he has seen a different way of doing things and that is genuinely what he wants to do."
On-Screen and Off-Screen Bonds
Chris praises working with Bradley Riches, noting their off-screen friendship helps their on-screen relationship: "In real time bonding with Bradley Riches, he is so sweet it kind of makes it easier because I am sort of like on a daily basis getting to love him more."
Kev also shares an unlikely bond with Claudette, the mother of the vicar, who takes him under her wing. Chris says: "Kev obviously had a pretty s****y childhood. It was mainly on his dad but his mum wasn't around much anyway, and so Claudette is like his sort of mum."
He jokes: "And I'm her favourite!" The favouritism began 'organically': "We've started giving each other cuddles, started doing it in scenes. It just started to grow to her giving me more sausages."
Will Ash, who plays Caleb Milligan, praises their 'brilliant dynamic' and says having Kev live with Claudette was a 'stroke of genius.'
