Emmerdale fans think Steve Marchant return is 'sealed' after huge Kim Tate twist
It comes after the twist revealing DS Thea Ramsden is Kim Tate's secret daughterEmmerdale viewers believe Steve Marchant’s return is now “sealed” after 27 years away from the village. The theory has taken hold following a huge bombshell about Kim Tate’s past. Fans think the businessman could be the missing piece of the puzzle.
It all stems from the revelation that DS Thea Ramsden is secretly Kim’s biological daughter, given up for adoption as a baby. The detective, played by Chelsea Edge, had already been shown holding a clear grudge against Kim. Now viewers know exactly why.
Emmerdale flashback confirms DS Thea Ramsden is Kim Tate’s daughter
A flashback showed a younger Kim at a special care baby unit, weighing up whether to give up her child. She told a nurse she had always liked the name Anthea. The camera then cut to DS Thea Ramsden’s police badge, sealing the connection.
Kim herself remains in the dark about the link. And that leaves one enormous question hanging over the Dales: who is Thea’s father?
Why fans think Steve Marchant is Thea’s dad
Steve Marchant, played by Paul Opacic, appeared in Emmerdale between 1996 and 1999. He dated and eventually married Kim, played by Claire King, during that spell. The couple turned to financial fraud after hitting money troubles.
Kim then framed Steve for their crimes, before making her famous escape from the village by helicopter. Steve was last seen almost three decades ago, when he was sent to prison. Given the timing, fans have put two and two together.
One wrote on X: “Surely Steve is Thea’s dad?” Another posted: “This was very cleverly done! So who’s the dad? I’m hoping Steve Marchant.”
A third viewer said: “Kim Tate back at the forefront of the Dales, we love to see it – Now let’s have Steve come back!!!!” They added that the casting of Thea was “insane” and the storyline had them more invested than anything in a long time.
“That Thea’s got to be Steve Marchant’s baby. It would fit the time frame from when she was married to him,” agreed someone else. Another agreed the years added up: “It was 1999 ‘cos of the millennium bug poster, so Thea must be Steve Marchant’s offspring.”
And a further user wrote: “STEVE MARCHANT, come back and meet your daughter!”
Steve has long featured on fan wishlists of classic characters they want back, alongside the likes of Lady Tara Thornfield and Kathy Glover. No comeback has been announced, however.
Read more: Who’s leaving Emmerdale? All the cast exits, arrivals and returns
This article was produced with the assistance of AI technology to synthesise source reporting and structured data. It has been reviewed, edited, and fact-checked by our human editorial team before publication.
