Emmerdale actor Chris Coghill is set to make a dramatic return to the ITV soap, reprising his role as Kev Townsend. As fans anticipate his comeback, attention turns to his personal life, which includes a notable past marriage and recent relationship developments.
Chris Coghill's Role in Emmerdale
Chris Coghill first appeared on Emmerdale last year as Kev Townsend, the secret husband of Robert Sugden, portrayed by Ryan Hawley. His character quickly became entangled in major storylines, from conflicts with Aaron Dingle, played by Danny Miller, to the revelation of a secret son, Lewis Barton, acted by Bradley Riches. Kev's departure on New Year's Day left viewers wondering about his fate, but this week, it was confirmed he will return to the village.
Speaking about his return, Chris expressed enthusiasm, stating, "I had a brilliant time last year. Kev is a complex character that I love playing. He has psychopathic tendencies, but also an energy and vulnerability that I think makes him pretty unique."
Marriage to Actress Lisa Faulkner
Beyond the screen, Chris Coghill's personal life has garnered interest, particularly his marriage to actress and presenter Lisa Faulkner. The couple met in 2003 on the set of the BBC series Burn It, where Chris played Carl and Lisa portrayed nurse Emma. Lisa is known for roles in Brookside, Holby City, Celebrity Masterchef, and a stint on EastEnders in 2017 as Fi Browning.
Their relationship blossomed quickly, leading to a wedding in April 2005 at Richmond Park in Surrey, attended by soap stars including Coronation Street actor Antony Cotton. Lisa reminisced about the day, telling the Manchester Evening News, "Everyone says it should be the best day of your life and it really, really was. It was a wonderful day - I wanted it to go on for a week." She added, "We had every type of weather for the day - rain, sun and even light snow during the speeches. I wore a proper big dress and now I can't wait for it to come back from the dry cleaners so that I can try it on again."
Challenges and Separation
In 2008, Chris and Lisa adopted their daughter Billie at 17 months old after facing fertility issues. However, the couple encountered further personal struggles, including three unsuccessful rounds of IVF and an ectopic pregnancy. These challenges contributed to their separation in 2011.
In 2024, Lisa opened up about this difficult period, describing it as a "very dark time" that led to what she called a "failed" marriage. She told Good Housekeeping, "Those years [battling infertility] were a very dark time. One minute I wasn't that bothered about kids, apart from my nieces, and then something happened overnight, and I wanted a baby so badly." She added, "All my peers were trying at the same time, so it was like we were swimming in the same pool, but they kept getting pregnant and climbing out until, eventually, I was still swimming in there alone." Lisa later found happiness with MasterChef judge John Torode, marrying him in 2019.
Recent Relationship with Rosalind Halstead
After his split from Lisa, Chris Coghill reportedly began a relationship with actress Rosalind Halstead, known for roles in Andor, Shakespeare and Hathaway: Private Investigators, The Trial of Christine Keeler, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, and Mrs Henderson Presents starring Judi Dench. The couple kept their relationship private, never discussing it publicly.
However, recent reports from The Sun suggest that Chris and Rosalind have parted ways. Representatives for Chris have been approached for comment but have not yet responded.
Emmerdale Broadcast Details
Emmerdale continues to air on ITV1 and ITVX, with episodes scheduled Monday to Friday at 8:00pm. Chris Coghill's return as Kev Townsend is expected to bring new twists to the long-running soap, blending his character's complex traits with ongoing village drama.
