Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw has teased the start of an unexpected connection between Nicola King (Nicola Wheeler) and Kev Townsend (Chris Coghill).
Kev was introduced to us last year as Robert Sugden’s (Ryan Hawley) secret prison husband.
He was a troubled soul, and was terrified about his relationship with Robert coming to an end. To keep him close, Kev lied to Robert and pretended that he had a terminal illness.
Kev arrived in the village just as Robert decided to get back with Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller). For a little while, Robert lived a double life, seeing Aaron in secret and romancing Kev in front of the other residents. This eventually became impossible to continue with, leading to Kev having his heart broken.
He dealt with the sadness in a classic Kev way, and held Aaron, Robert and Liam Cavanagh (Jonny McPherson) hostage in Mill Cottage flat. He eventually departed town but just before he went, he had a conversation with Lewis Barton (Bradley Riches).
The duo had struck up a friendship while Kev was in the village, and it was later confirmed that they got on so well because Kev is actually Lewis’ biological father.
At the moment, Lewis doesn’t know who Kev really is, and it’s because Nicola convinced Kev to keep quiet, concluding that it would be better for the young man if he didn’t know.
But with Kev returning to the village this year, that’s probably all going to change. After all, there’s no way this massive family secret could stay hidden forever!
Ahead of Kev’s comeback, show boss Laura Shaw has dropped a few teasers about the drama he’s going to be involved in.
She confirmed that Kev will end up forming a bond with Nicola, which is very surprising given that they didn’t get on very well when he was last in the show.
‘As we know, Nicola has taken on a motherly role with Lewis, so we will be seeing more of her and Kev’, Laura said in her chat with Inside Soap.
‘Later on in the year, Nicola’s going to have a few troubles of her own that Kev is going to be supportive with’.
It’s very possible that Kev will be there for Nicola in the aftermath of her losing husband Jimmy King (Nick Miles).
It was reported a few days ago that Nick’s character Jimmy, who he’s played for 22 years, is going to be killed off.
His exit will coincide with the explosive return of Sadie King (Patsy Kensit).
A source told Metro recently: ‘The scenes promise to be spectacular but the outcome will leave many fans shocked.
‘It may prove controversial but the jaw-dropping storyline will set in motion some massive consequences for many months to follow.’
Following this devastating ordeal, will, will Kev be the one to assist Nicola as she tries to process her grief?
It’s also been confirmed that fellow Emmerdale stars Olivia Bromley and Bradley Johnson are also leaving their roles as Dawn Taylor and Vinny Dingle.
