Emmerdale favourite reveals hopes for Kev Townsend return story and teases family reunion
Actor Bradley Riches spoke to Radio Times at the BAFTA Television Awards 2026.
Emmerdale favourite Bradley Riches has revealed his hopes for Kev Townsend's return storyline and even teased the highly anticipated family reunion.
Kev Townsend, played by Chris Coghill, entered Emmerdale back in September 2025 and played the role until his departure in January 2026.
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 departure from the show.
But now Chris Coghill is set to return just three months after his ITV soap exit and will reprise his role later this year.
Speaking to Radio Times at the BAFTA Television Awards 2026, Bradley Riches said he was "very excited" about Chris' 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."
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."
Riches also teased the dynamic from the highly anticipated and long-awaited family reunion of Kev and Lewis, remarking, "I would love them to make a little family."
Riches continued: "I would love to see them come around together, and, you know, actually find that bond and find, you know, common ground type thing. Because I think at the beginning it is, it is a bit like, 'Oh, I don't know if I like this. I'm not too sure about this.'
Noting how people often shield Lewis from harsh truths, Riches added: "He's old enough, he's smart enough to know the truth. But a lot of people just want to wrap him up in bubble wrap and make sure he doesn't get hurt. So I think it's a lot...but I would love them to make a little family."
Read more:
- 4 Emmerdale spoilers next week: Robert Sugden faces the wrath of vengeful Cain Dingle
- Emmerdale airs surprise jury verdict in Bear, Paddy and Dylan's trial in early ITVX release
- Emmerdale star teases "complex year" ahead for Charity Dingle after nightmare labour in early ITVX release
- Emmerdale airs heartbreaking Moira Dingle scenes as she makes sad discovery following prison release in early ITVX release
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and from 7am on ITVX.
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Authors
Katelyn Mensah is the Senior Entertainment Writer for Radio Times, covering all major entertainment programmes, reality TV shows and the latest hard-hitting documentaries. She previously worked at The Tab, with a focus on reality TV and showbiz news and has obtained a BA (Hons) in Journalism.
Phoebe Kowhai Barnes is a Freelance Writer who covers pop culture and entertainment programmes for the Radio Times. She previously worked as the Senior Assistant Editor at The Tab where she managed its local department. She obtained a BA (Hons) in English Literature from University of Nottingham.
