Emmerdale fans have predicted a surprising new romance for Nicola King (Nicola Wheeler) with Kev Barton (Chris Coghill) ahead of her husband Jimmy King's (Nick Miles) reported exit. Viewers believe the tension between Nicola and Kev will lead to a relationship after Jimmy is killed off in a shocking stunt, according to reports.
Nicola's history in Emmerdale
Nicola, daughter of Rodney Blackstock (Patrick Mower) and Maureen Blackstock (Joanna Monro), and half-sister of Bernice Blackstock (Samantha Giles), has been a central character for years. She is married to Jimmy King, with whom she shares a daughter Angelica (Rebecca Bakes), and acts as a mother figure to his other children Elliot (Luca Hoyle) and Carl (Charlie Joyce). Notable storylines include the 2022 car park attack, her plot to murder millionaire husband Donald De Souza (Michael Jayston), and supporting her daughter after a New Year's Eve car crash. She also stood by her family during the domestic abuse storyline involving Jimmy's nephew Tom (James Chase) and Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper).
Kev Barton's return and tension with Nicola
Recently, Nicola has dealt with the return of Kev Barton, determined to build a relationship with his son Lewis (Bradley Riches). Fans recall that Nicola and Ross Barton (Michael Parr) staged a fake robbery at the café to frame Kev and drive him out of the village. Instead, Kev agreed to keep their secret in exchange for continued access to his son. He now works at the café, much to Nicola's irritation.
Fan predictions and reactions
Many fans see chemistry between Nicola and Kev. One wrote on a Facebook fan page: "Nicola and Kev will get together, there's chemistry there." Another added: "Yesss, that will be a spicy one!" A third said: "Omg I can totally see a Nicola/Kev romance." However, some viewers are frustrated. One wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "It's clear as day Jimmy's being killed off to replace him in all aspects by Kev. Total disgrace." Another added: "Yes, it's painful to watch." A third said: "I'm so mad about it. Gonna miss Jimmy and Nicola together as a couple so much." Someone else commented: "All these [rumours] about Nicola's next love being the one and only-but-fabulous Kev is a bit too much. We haven't even had the not-eagerly-awaited death of fictional hubby Jimmy yet!"
Jimmy King's reported exit
It was reported earlier this year that Jimmy would be axed in a shocking stunt, though the soap has not officially confirmed. A source told The Sun: "Everyone is shocked and it shows that no one is safe from the budget cuts. Bosses are under pressure to cut costs, and sadly, that means popular cast members being told their time is up." They added: "Once the decision was made that Nick would be leaving, the writers quickly realised his character wouldn't abandon his wife and children, so they had to kill him off."
Emmerdale airs weekday nights at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
