Emmerdale star Chris Coghill has teased his return to the ITV soap alongside on-screen son, Bradley Riches. The actor will reprise his role as the charismatic Kev Townsend next week, and Kev's new business venture is sure to stir up trouble for the locals.
Kev Townsend's Return Storyline
Chris Coghill joined the cast of the ITV soap last year as Robert Sugden's prison husband. It was clear he would stop at nothing to keep Robert to himself, but Robert did not feel the same and was instead ready to move on with Aaron Dingle. Kev was viewed as unpredictable and intimidating, but quickly became a fan favourite. Robert had married Kev in prison, believing he was dying—a lie Kev told to save their relationship. Then a shock twist revealed that Kev was also the biological father of Lewis Barton, played by Bradley Riches.
Next week, Ross receives a concerning message about Lewis being abducted, stating Lewis is at risk unless his father returns 'Penny' to the kidnapper. Ross, warning Liam against calling the police, initially insists they must find Lewis's adoptive dad, Jeffrey, but they find no leads. Liam finally confesses that Lewis's biological father is Kev, and Ross immediately decides they must find him.
Kylie approaches Ross and reveals she is holding Lewis captive; he will only be released when Kev returns 'Penny,' which she deems the 'most precious thing in the world.' Stressing it is a matter of life and death, Liam convinces Claudette to give him Kev's whereabouts.
Kev's Diamond Dilemma
Liam finds Kev selling cakes from his van, but Ross is annoyed by Kev's attitude, leading to a scuffle. Kev claims Penny is a diamond he sold to a pawn shop, and Ross demands he buy it back. However, once alone, Kev looks at a diamond around his neck, making it clear he did not sell it after all. Ross and Liam panic over Lewis's abduction. Ross receives a threatening text from Kylie featuring scalpels.
Kylie video calls Kev, demanding he return 'Penny' by the end of the day, emphasising her seriousness by mentioning her eight years in Holloway. Kev initially tells Liam and Ross that the pawn shop sold Penny, but later claims he located it and bought it back. Suspicious of Kev, Ross knocks him unconscious, telling Liam he plans to use Kev as an insurance policy for their trade. Ross meets with Kylie to try and get Lewis back.
Chris Coghill Interview
In an interview shared with the Manchester Evening News, Bradley Riches questioned Chris on his return to the Dales. When asked how he feels about coming back, the actor replied: 'I absolutely love this job. I'm delighted to be here. Everything about it is ace. I'm very happy to be back. At some point, I'd quite like Kev to take down the Tates!'
On how he feels about finding out that Lewis was kidnapped, he added: 'When Liam tells him, his first response is leave me alone. But when he finds out that Lewis's life is in danger, his paternal instincts kick in. He does care about Lewis.'
Teasing his return, he continued: 'So, Penny is a diamond that as far as Kev is concerned, he has every right to have. Kylie does not agree. So Kylie takes Lewis hostage, and she wants the diamond in return.'
Of course, Lewis is still unaware that Kev is his father, as Chris teased: 'Secrets can't be kept hidden for a long time in Emmerdale, can they. I think he cares about Lewis. He didn't have a brilliant upbringing so if he steps into a fatherly role, then he will try to right some of the wrongs from his past. He won't be brilliant at it. Look at him, it's not going to come naturally to him.'
Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX and YouTube from 7am.
