Emmerdale’s Kev has proven a hit with fans (Picture: ITV)
Emmerdale star Chris Coghill is reportedly set to exit following his turn as much-loved villager Kev Townsend, though bosses are keen to find a way to bring him back.
Kev, as viewers know, turned up in the eponymous village earlier this year as the secret husband of Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley), who had married him while they were in prison together.
His arrival couldn’t have come at a worse time, with Robert on the cusp of reuniting with long-time love Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) following their ordeal at the hands of killer John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth).
Kev was in prison for two decades after committing armed robbery.
During a flashback episode, audiences discovered how he and Robert connected while behind bars, ultimately becoming the vital support that one another needed.
Fans had a lot to say at the time of Kev’s arrival, upset that his presence could scupper any chance of Robert and Aaron – aka Robron – being happy.
But despite this, viewers have grown rather fond of the newcomer in recent weeks, and thus reports of his exit claim that bosses are keen for a way to bring him back.
‘Viewers absolutely love Kev,’ a source told The Sun. ‘Bosses knew Chris would be popular because he’s a great actor but for Kev to have become so popular has definitely come as a big surprise.”
They added: ‘Chris has filmed scenes through to the end of the year and that was meant to be it. But now the bosses are looking at ways to bring him back in future to give the fans what they want.’
Metro has reached out to Emmerdale for comment.
Following last week’s episodes, viewers were quick to share their love for Kev.
RJ shared on X: ‘Unpopular opinion: the Kev story is one of the best this year, the characters, story, relationships are all so complex and it dosent feel put together just for the sake of it like I really don’t know why people want John over Kev because this is way more interesting #emmerdale.’
Carrie Hayler, meanwhile, said: ‘The greatest new soap character for a very long time #kev The loveliest baddie ever.’
Paulo added that Kev really is their ‘favourite character’ at the minute, while Lynn commented that they are ‘warming to Kev’.