THE MAN BEHIND THE MASK: Chris Coghill’s Return to the Dales and the Real-Life Heartbreak Behind the Villain

The rolling hills of Emmerdale are about to get a lot more crowded—and a lot more dangerous. With the imminent return of Kev Townsend, the village is bracing for the comeback of a man whose “psychopathic tendencies” are matched only by his explosive history with the Sugden and Dingle clans. But as Chris Coghill prepares to step back into the boots of Robert Sugden’s secret husband, fans are looking past the script to the remarkable, and often poignant, life of the actor himself.

---

The Return of the Wildcard: Kev’s Dark Vulnerability

When Kev Townsend first arrived last year, he wasn’t just a face from the past; he was a hand grenade thrown into the center of Robert and Aaron’s fragile stability. From the revelation of his secret marriage to Robert to the life-changing discovery of his son, Lewis Barton, Kev’s first stint was a whirlwind of high-stakes drama that ended abruptly on New Year’s Day.

Now, he’s back. Reflecting on his return, Chris Coghill described Kev as a “complex character” unlike any other in the village. “He has psychopathic tendencies,” Coghill noted, “but also an energy and vulnerability that makes him pretty unique.” It’s this blend of danger and humanity that has made Kev one of the most polarizing and fascinating figures in recent Emmerdale history.

---

A Soap Opera Romance: The Burn It Connection

Long before he was terrorizing the Dingles, Chris Coghill was one half of a real-life media power couple. In 2003, while filming the BBC drama Burn It, he met actress and presenter Lisa Faulkner. Playing the roles of Carl and Nurse Emma, their off-screen chemistry was instant.

Their wedding in April 2005 was a true “who’s who” of the soap world. Held at the picturesque Richmond Park in Surrey, the ceremony was attended by stars like Coronation Street’s Antony Cotton. Lisa recalled the day as a magical whirlwind, despite the British weather delivering a bizarre mix of sun, rain, and even light snow during the speeches. “I wanted it to go on for a week,” she told the Manchester Evening News at the time, still dreaming of the “proper big dress” she couldn’t wait to wear again.

The Dark Years: A Battle with Infertility

However, behind the glossy wedding photos lay a deeply painful struggle that many fans were unaware of at the time. In a candid 2024 interview with Good Housekeeping, Lisa opened up about the “very dark time” that eventually contributed to the end of their marriage in 2011.

The couple faced a grueling battle with infertility, including:

• Three unsuccessful rounds of IVF

• A traumatic ectopic pregnancy

• A sudden, overwhelming “overnight” desire to become a mother

“Those years battling infertility were a very dark time,” Lisa revealed. The emotional toll of their struggle was immense, though it did lead to the joyous adoption of their daughter, Billie, in 2008 when she was just 17 months old. Despite the light Billie brought into their lives, the strain of their journey eventually led to their split.

---

Moving Forward: New Chapters and Old Ghosts

Since their divorce, both have found new paths. Lisa Faulkner found happiness with MasterChef judge John Torode, marrying him in 2019, while Chris has continued to build a formidable career playing the kind of “complex” characters he excels at.

As Chris Coghill returns to Emmerdale this week, he brings that wealth of life experience to the role of Kev. Whether he’s seeking redemption for his past or preparing to unleash a fresh wave of “psychopathic” chaos on Robert and Aaron, one thing is certain: Kev Townsend is not a man who can be easily ignored.