Emmerdale’s Chris Coghill admits: ‘Kev is unhinged… but he and Robert are in love’

Robert is going to have to make a choice sooner rather than later
Carena Crawford
By Carena Crawford

Emmerdale actor Chris Coghill, who plays newcomer Kev, has revealed more about his character as it’s confirmed he is moving to the village full-time.

Robert Sugden has been juggling his rekindled relationship with Aaron Dingle with visits to his prison husband Kev Townsend with neither non-the-wiser. But Kev’s bombshell news he is getting released has thrown a spanner in the works. “A massive, volatile spanner,” says Chris.

So with Robert’s double life set to come crashing down and his secrets about to come tumbling out, who does he want to be with? And what does this mean for Aaron’s future – is Kev a threat to his life?

Ryan Hawley, who plays Robert, and Chris Coghill, who plays Kev, told us more.

Robert visiting Kev in prison
Kev is unhinged and a threat to Robron [Credit: ITV]

Just who is Kev in Emmerdale?

Kev is Robert Sugden’s prison husband. Viewers only found out about his existence recently – incidentally around the same time and Robert and Aaron reunited. Aaron still has no idea about any of this and Victoria is adamant Robert needs to come clean.

But with Kev still in prison, with no hope of release, and only six months to live, Robert’s sure he’s got it all handled. It helps that Kev is loaded so Robert stands to inherit a fortune if they are together when Kev dies.

However, with Kev being released unexpectedly next week, it really messes things up for a Robron happy after after, right?

“Kev’s a massive spanner in the works,” Chris tells us. “A massive, unhinged spanner!”

“Kev is a really big obstacle in the sense that he’s a very loveable, damaged character,” adds Ryan Hawley. “He’s a broken character but you feel sorry for him as well. And he’s funny.

“Kev is a really complex character and there’s so much to him. He’s not just some baddie. He’s not even a baddie…”

Chris agrees: “He’s a criminal and he’s got psychopathic tendencies but he’s got a lot of redeeming qualities,” he tells us. “But yeah, he’s volatile.”

Kev will not allow Aaron to mess up his marriage [Credit: ITV]
Kev will not allow Aaron to mess up his marriage [Credit: ITV]

But it’s not Robert who’s in danger from Kev

“Kev’s incredibly dangerous,” Chris admits. “But there’s a weird thing where he’d never actually hurt Robert.

“I know Kev wouldn’t have any qualms about physically attacking anybody, apart from Robert.”

Which perhaps suggests Aaron’s the one who needs to watch his back. After all both Ryan and Chris insist Kev and Robert are in love.

“He loves Kev,” Ryan says. “It’s a complicated relationship but they both love each other. But then you have to wonder to what degree does Robert love Kev and what degree does he love Aaron?”

Chris agrees. “It’s very complicated because Kev is unhinged,” he points out. “There are some genuine feelings there, but they’re not quite what they should be.”

Read more: Emmerdale favourite Lucy Pargeter drops a cryptic tease for fans

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm, with an early release on ITVX at 7am.