Fan-Favorite Villain Exits Emmerdale—But Soap Bosses Desperate to Bring Him Back

Chris Coghill’s Final Scenes Leave Viewers Wanting More

Emmerdale fans are in shock as Chris Coghill, who plays the scheming and complex Kev Townsend, has officially wrapped filming on his final scenes for 2025. But don’t count him out just yet—behind the scenes, producers are already plotting ways to bring him back.

Originally brought in for a limited storyline arc, Kev was introduced in September as Robert Sugden’s prison husband—a shadowy figure from his time behind bars. With a dark past and a manipulative streak, Kev seemed destined to be a short-term antagonist. But in a twist nobody saw coming, the character became a breakout hit, with viewers rallying for his return before he’d even left.


From Mystery Husband to Villainous Fan Favorite

At first, Kev’s backstory was wrapped in secrecy. Claiming to be terminally ill and recently released from prison on compassionate grounds, Kev’s reappearance in Robert’s life sent shockwaves through the village—especially for Aaron Dingle, who had only just reunited with Robert after years of heartache.

But as episodes unfolded, the truth came crashing down: Kev isn’t dying, and he certainly doesn’t have the fortune he hinted at. Instead, flashback scenes revealed that he had manipulated Robert into staying in prison, using loyalty and fear as leverage. His arrival in the village wasn’t about love—it was about control.

Yet despite the deception and scheming, Chris Coghill’s powerful performance has made Kev a complex and strangely compelling character. Fans have flooded social media with praise, calling for Emmerdale to keep him on long-term.Emmerdale's Kev future teased after fan frenzy - could he return following a shock exit?


A Shocking Paternity Reveal Changes Everything

The recent revelation that Kev is Lewis Barton’s biological father gave the storyline an entirely new layer of depth—and potentially a reason for him to stay. With Lewis’s identity tied into the wider Dingle and Barton family trees, Kev’s connection to the village is suddenly far more personal.

Insiders suggest that this twist has prompted writers to rethink Kev’s trajectory. While his contract was originally set to end with the final episodes of 2025, producers are now actively exploring how to write him back in—either through an extended stay or a dramatic reappearance in 2026.Next Week In The Village | Emmerdale


What Happens Next?

A source close to the production shared: “Chris signed on for a short-term role, but the audience reaction has been phenomenal. We always knew he’d be good, but Kev’s popularity has taken everyone by surprise.”

With Kev’s final 2025 scenes already filmed, fans can expect an emotional, perhaps explosive, exit. But don’t expect it to be the last time we see him.

Will Kev return in 2026 to stir up more drama—or has the village truly seen the last of Robert Sugden’s most twisted ally? Stay tuned.