Emmerdale's Steve Marchant is heading back to the ITV soap after Thea Ramsden discovered he is her father. Actor Paul Opacic is reprising the role after almost 30 years, with promo images showing him back in character.
Thea learned on Monday that her dad was former character Steve, who was last seen on the show in 1999. Steve and Kim Tate have unfinished business, after Kim fled following her role in setting Steve up for fraudulent activity.
Thea's Search for Her Father
With Thea now desperate to track down her long-lost father, her search will lead to his return to the village. Thea will initially hide her true identity from Steve, but he will want answers.
The ITV announcement reads: "Thea poses as a solicitor during her initial contact. Cautious and suspicious, Steve is quickly drawn back toward the village in search of answers."
Steve's Comeback Teased
How long Steve will be back for and whether he and Thea can forge a relationship remains to be seen. As for Steve and Kim, it's unlikely they can ever reconcile.
Teasing his comeback after almost three decades away, Paul shared: "Things were left rather bitter between Kim and Steve, so he's very surprised when a solicitor contacts him out of the blue. He guesses something is afoot when Kim starts brandishing notes to keep him away.
"With the sniff of more cash to be made, Steve wonders what is going on. And soon Thea leaves him a jaw-dropping voicemail."
Twists Ahead for Thea and Kim
Emmerdale Producer Laura Shaw also teased what is ahead for the returning character, as well as Thea and Kim. Laura commented: "Determined to uncover the truth about her father, Thea devises a clever ruse to lure him into a meeting under false pretences. But will Steve fall for her deception, and does he even realise he has a child - or could he know secrets that even Kim isn't aware of?"
This teases more twists and turns ahead, with further bombshells possible in the storyline, which could risk Thea and Kim's relationship. Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
