Robert is thrilled in Emmerdale by unexpected shock from Kev

The last time Kev Townsend (Chris Coghill) gave Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) a surprise, his husband Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) almost got sliced by a sword. What does the man-bunned menace have in store for Emmerdale’s most dysfunctional couple this time?

Just when Robron was finally united last year and everything seemed rosy, Robert’s happily-ever-after was spectacularly derailed by the arrival of his prison hubby, the delightfully deranged Kev.

The man is an absolute delight. Having a cup of tea one minute, robbing pawn shops the next. Kev is Emmerdale’s answer to Begbie from Trainspotting. A volatile cocktail of rage, unresolved childhood trauma and deep-seated attachment issues just waiting to explode on any idiot who looks at him too long.

That idiot was Robert.

Forming a bond in prison, Robert clearly chose the biggest and nastiest inmate he could just for protection. However, Kev clearly thought that he was in the greatest love story since Heated Rivalry, and was none too pleased to discover that his cellmate-with-benefits had a fella on the outside.

So Kev did what any reasonable man would do – pretend to be terminally ill so Robert would come back to him out of sympathy.

Since Kev isn’t the kind of man you say no to and keep all your teeth, Robert played along for a while in an effort to subtly glean where his jailbird beau stashed the loot from his last robbery – and Robert played his part convincingly. A little too convincingly for Aaron.

Unfortunately, even a psychopath like Kev could read the writing on the wall. It didn’t take him long to figure out where Robert’s heart truly lay – and he did not take it well. After a deadly showdown with aforementioned sword, Kev left the Dales with a broken heart.

He made a brief return over Christmas when he was kidnapped by one of the few people in Yorkshire more unhinged than himself – Robert’s serial killer brother, John Sugden (Oliver Farnsworth). Robert’s plan to frame Kev for Robert’s murder went pear-shaped when the former bank-robber kneed him in the unmentionables and ran off.

With that kind of history, it’s understandable that Kev’s return to the village would leave Robert quaking in his wellies. Lucky for him, his ex hubbie has got bigger things to worry about…

Emmerdale’s newest favourite sociopath is back in the village for two reasons – to make a success out of his bespoke cake and coffee pop-up ‘A Slice Of Kev-en’, and to connect with his long lost son,  Lewis Barton (Bradley Riches). Frankly, we don’t know which one we’re more excited about.

We already know that Kev is curious about pursing a relationship with his boy, through his chats with a clueless Liam in the Cafe. Liam was none the wiser as Kev revealed that he had a one night stand with someone, who then put the baby up for adoption… and the mother’s name was Emma.

Only Nicola King (Nicola Wheeler) knows the full truth, and she gave Kev an ultimatum – either tell Lewis the truth or leave Emmerdale forever. At the time, Kev agreed to leave, believing that Lewis deserved better than a criminal for a dad. So Nicola will be less than thrilled to realise that Mister Manbun is back in town.

She’s not the only one. After all the chaos, the misery, and the whole ‘attacking Aaron with a sword’ thing, you’d think that Robert would sooner give all his sheep to the Dingles than see Kev again. But in a surprise twist, Robert’s elated to be face to face with his prison hubbie again when Kev makes him a surprising offer…

When Kev rocks up back in the Dales, he’s taken in with open arms by his old friend and former housemate Claudette Anderson(Flo Wilson) and her son Claude (Kevin Mathurin). Kev reveals to Charles and Claudette that he has a son, Lewis, who wants nothing to do with him.

Saddened when Kev talks about running away, Claudette strongly buoys him up, insisting he is a good man who deserves his family and that he should continue to pursue a relationship with Lewis.Has she got through to Kev?

With Claudette’s words ringing in his ears, Kev seeks out Robert and suggests they get the ball rolling on their divorce.

This means that Robert can finally marry Aaron. Robron can be official! It’s music to Robert’s ears.

However, shortly after, tensions rise in the cafe when Nicola catches Kev filling up the bucket to clean his trailer in the cafe toilets. Nicola is absolutely determined to get Kev out of the village.

Will Nicola drive Kev out of the village before Robert can get him to sign those all important papers?