Kev Townsend (Chris Coghill) has made a dramatic change in Emmerdale by changing his surname to Barton, hoping to prove his loyalty to his son Lewis Barton (Bradley Riches). The move comes after Kev's dark past was revealed, explaining his criminal history and his desire to protect Lewis from the same fate.
Kev's grand gesture
Kev, a criminal-turned-master baker, was thrust back into the village after his illegitimate son was kidnapped and held to ransom. The hostage situation gave Kev pause for thought, and he now wants to be a doting dad. However, Lewis is not so keen, given Kev's history of abandoning him at birth and again during a diamond heist.
Kev decides something big has to happen to prove his new loyalty, so he changes his name from Townsend to Barton. The reason behind the grand gesture is linked to Kev's tragic past. He delves into the tragedy of what has gone before, explaining how he became such a wrong'un, vowing never to go back to prison. To him, the name change protects Lewis from his tragic background.
Ross Barton's reaction
When Ross Barton (Michael Parr) walks in and is ready to throw fists at Kev, Lewis softens and says he wants to give his dad a chance. Not what Ross had in mind, but he will let Lewis make up his own mind. Not before warning Kev: hurt his little brother and he will find out just how good a fighter Ross is.
Nicola King (Nicola Wheeler) is also in Ross's camp when it comes to protecting Lewis and hands Kev her own threat by giving him daggers over how he treats Lewis. Ross believes Kev will screw it all up anyway, given time.
Mystery theft
As if being answered by the gods, not long after, a figure breaks into the café and steals the cash box. Lewis and Nicola are dumbstruck by the ransacking of the place, and the prime suspect is Kev. Kev of course denies it, but is that because he did not actually do it?
Lewis goes cold on his dad, but this stinks of a stitch up – is Ross behind it? Or would Nicola go as far as to stage it herself to protect her pal? The mystery deepens as Kev's past continues to haunt him.
