Emmerdale's Kev actor Chris Coghill has teased new character Steve, played by Waterloo Road's Tom Clarkson actor Jason Done, could ruin Kev's chances with Lewis06:17, 14 Jul 2026Kev Townsend’s return to Emmerdale has been eventful to say the least.‌But next week, the endearing criminal turned baker is keen to drop the dramatics, and focus on bonding with his long-lost son, Lewis Barton [Bradley Riches]. Fans will recall that after a kidnapping ordeal, all over a dead cat, Kev dropped the shocking news on Lewis that he was his real father.‌Amusingly, Kev delivered the bombshell with a shaky performance of a Boyzone classic, Father and Son. Next week, Kev is still trying to win Lewis over.‌Actor Chris Coghill, who plays Kev, reveals that an opportunity at the café could help mend the rocky relationship. Chris, 51, says: “His new job at the café is his chance to connect with Lewis and see him every day, and also integrate himself into the village a bit more because he's decided that he wants to stay.”Recent scenes saw café co-owner Lewis offer his dad a job. It didn’t go down well with fellow owner Nicola King [Nicola Wheeler] though, and an incident with Mandy Dingle [Lisa Riley] saw Kev forced to leave. Next week, Kev asks for his job back, with Chris explaining the character is desperate to spend time with his son.‌Chris tells us: “He still wants to remain and is still working at his relationship with Lewis. That's the best place to connect with him on a daily basis. He does feel it was unfair that he lost his job in the first place because his version of doing the right thing was making sure that Mandy paid for the coffees, no matter what.”It isn’t just Lewis that Kev is keen to win over too. Chris says that after recent rivalry with Nicola over what is best for Lewis, Kev hopes to get Nicola onside. He shares: “They've got a funny relationship. I think he likes the fact that she's protective of Lewis, which he does appreciate.‌“But at the same time she doesn't want Kev there and there's a bit of him that does want to win her over. Especially after her trying to get rid of him. And to be fair, him parking the van right outside the cafe was quite an antagonistic thing to do.”Someone Kev has developed a strong relationship with is Claudette Anderson, the mother of vicar Charles. Claudette [Flo Wilson] has supported former prisoner Kev since his first arrival in the village back in September 2025.Following Kev’s return last month, Claudette has been quick to advise him on how to approach things with Lewis. Chris is hopeful that bosses will keep building the relationship between them.‌He says: “I think it's lovely. It's been alluded to that his own childhood wasn't the best. We've talked about the fact that his dad was never around but he did have a mother figure but they were a bit all over the place.“Claudette's rooting for Kev and they have a really sweet relationship actually. I'm a bit like her favourite son, even when her own son is there.”‌As Lewis’ birthday approaches, Kev will try to make up for the previous years he’s missed. The arrival of a mystery new character could do some damage, however.Chris explains: “Kev wasn't there for the first 22 birthdays, so he has big plans for his 24th birthday. He does go a bit overboard and gets a bit too obsessed with it. It's actually really nice what he does for him, until Steve ruins it.”With details about newcomer Steve being kept under wraps, Chris hinted the character could undo all of Kev’s hard work to stay on track. Chris says: “Steve and Kev are like two sides of the same coin. Steve is basically Kev before he found out about Lewis.‌“They grew up together, they are as thick as thieves. If it weren't for Lewis, I think he would fall back in with him pretty much straight away. For Steve, it's the same as it always was and he expects it to be just like it always has been, they'd go on the rob, a crime duo, even though they've not seen each other for years.”Chris hints that Steve’s arrival could see Kev return to crime. He says: “It's one of those friendships that just falls back into routine but Kev is trying his very best not to do that.Article continues below“So Steve turning up at this point as he's started to connect with Lewis is an absolute nightmare. He tries very hard. And Kev is very torn.” Chris adds that Steve’s arrival will "undoubtedly" bring trouble for other residents too.But Chris hopes Steve’s antics will not derail Kev’s plans to build a relationship with his son Lewis. Chris shares: “He's absolutely 100% determined to bond with his son and be a decent dad to Lewis. He will stop at nothing to do so.”As for settling down, Chris isn’t so sure that love is on the horizon for the character just yet. He teases: “There could be. Not with anyone in particular at the moment but he is open to offers.”