A nightmarish situation has unfolded in Emmerdale – paving the way for Kev Townsend’s (Chris Coghill) return.
It was confirmed in April that the fan-favourite character would be staging a comeback, just months after his departure. After his brief five-month stint on the show, the character was last seen narrowly escaping the clutches of serial killer John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth) after he had become entangled in John’s plot to kill Kev’s estranged husband Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley).
Kev was also revealed to be the biological father of Lewis Barton, played by Bradley Riches, a fact he kept secret and was still a secret at the time of his exit.
However, as the soap’s latest spoilers have confirmed, Kev is back in the Dales – and his new story has begun in today’s episode.
After being together for some months, Vinny Dingle (Bradley Johnson) sprung a wonderful surprise on his boyfriend Lewis. He’d planned a trip to Madeira, but a problem soon arose.
Vinny Dingle (Bradley Johnson) surprised Lewis Barton (Bradley Riches) with a holiday. ITV
Lewis explained that, due to his anxiety, the spontaneity of the situation left him doubting whether he’d be able to attend. He felt dreadful, but ultimately the lack of preparation meant that he just couldn’t go.
He insisted that Vinny still go away without him, but couldn’t help but feel incredibly guilt-ridden by his words.
Later in the instalment, Lewis had a heart-to-heart with brother Ross (Michael Parr) about his worries, and after some encouragement, decided to go on holiday after all. His plan was to surprise Vinny at the airport, but the gesture didn’t go smoothly.
While waiting for his taxi on Main Street, a van hurtled towards him. He shouted out at the driver, but got more than he bargained for when a number of masked men jumped out and bundled him into the vehicle.
Lewis was kidnapped. ITV
Will Lewis be ok, and will Kev be able to secure his safe return?
Last month, speaking to Radio Times at the BAFTA Television Awards 2026, Riches said he was “very excited” about Chris’s return, revealing that the scripts are “hilarious”.
Riches said, “I was very excited, obviously, for Chris to come back, who plays my dad. He’s a great character, very complex, but very, very great. So I was really excited about that and to just build the dynamic.”
Kev Townsend (Chris Coghill) returns next week. ITV
He continued: “Because I don’t have much family. I’ve got, like, chosen family. The only family I have in the village is Ross at the moment, so it’s nice to build on families and those connections.”
Riches noted: “The scripts are hilarious. They’re quite serious, but hilarious at the same time; like he just brings something comedic to the show. So yeah, it’s really exciting.”
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Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and from 7am on ITVX.
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