Chris Coghill ‘really pleased’ to return to Emmerdale as Kev Townsend

Actor Chris Coghill has said he is “really pleased” to be returning to Emmerdale as his character brings “unfinished business and drama” to the village.

The 50-year-old first appeared on the ITV soap as Kev Townsend last autumn, introduced as the estranged husband of Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley), with the pair tying the knot while in prison together.

During his time on the show, viewers have also seen him narrowly escape from serial killer John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth), and be revealed as the long-lost father of Lewis Barton (Bradley Riches).

Townsend left the Dales earlier this year after a brief stint over the festive period during which he fled following the dramatic reveal of his long-lost son – who is currently unaware of the identity of his biological father.

He will return to the village with a new business venture, which is said to stir up trouble for the locals.

Coghill said: “I’m really pleased to be returning to Emmerdale, 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.

“I’m properly looking forward to getting back at it.”

Laura Shaw, Emmerdale producer, said: “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.”

Coghill, known for Slow Horses and Shameless, quickly became a fan favourite character on the hit soap after making his debut last year.

He has also had a stint in BBC soap EastEnders as villain Tony King, known for the storyline in which his partner Bianca Jackson discovered he had been abusing her daughter, Whitney.

Emmerdale airs weekday nights at 8pm on ITV1 and STV, or from 7am on ITVX, STV and YouTube.