Actor Chris Coghill will be returning to his role as Kev Townsend on the ITV soap later this year as he establishes a new coffee shop, and his arrival is certain to create drama amongst the residents, including former husband Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley).

Kev and Robert wed behind bars, with the latter convinced his new partner was dying. Following his release, Kev turned up in the Dales to reconnect with Robert and insisted he had been freed on compassionate grounds.

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However, their marriage proved brief, as Robert struggled to suppress his emotions for his ex-husband, Aaron Ding

le (Danny Miller), and the duo opted to rekindle their romance.

Kev, who was also revealed as Lewis Barton’s (Bradley Riches) biological father, resurfaced at Christmas, confronting menacing John, the Express reports.

John was determined to win back his husband, Aaron, and ordered Kev to murder Robert before ending his own existence. Thankfully, Kev fled John’s grasp and warned Aaron of the threat before making one last village appearance to see Lewis.

Kev, who wasn’t suffering from any terminal condition, decided Lewis would be better off without him and left, leaving Lewis oblivious to the reality.

Nicola King (Nicola Wheeler) has still not revealed to her business partner, Lewis, his true parentage, equally unwilling to involve criminal Kev in his existence.

Speaking about his return, Chris Coghill revealed his enthusiasm for portraying Kev: “I’m really pleased t

o be returning to Emmerdale, I had a brilliant time last year”, he said.

“He has psychopathic tendencies but also an energy and vulnerability that I think makes him pretty unique. I’m properly looking forward to getting back at it.”

Will Lewis ever discover that Kev is his dad? Laura Shaw, the programme’s executive producer, hints: “Both Chris and the character of Kev made a massive impact on the show last year, so Chris is most definitely back by popular demand.

“With Kev’s son, Lewis, in the village still unaware of who his father is, it’s safe to say that there’s a lot of unfinished business and drama ahead.”