Emmerdale fans were recently treated to the announcement of a new villager Kev, who will be played by Chris Coghill – who many soap and TV fans may recognise from previous roles

Emmerdale has signed up Chris Coghill who will pay new character Kev(Image: ITV)

Emmerdale are set to welcome yet another villager to the soap – as Chris Coghill joins the soap as mysterious new character Kev.

Announcing the new arrival, the soap teased that Kev was a mysterious character arriving in the village looking for directions, but who is he looking for and why? Despite Kev being mysterious, Chris definitely isn’t as soap fans will recognise him from another major role…

Speaking on his new role, Chris said: “I am really happy to be joining the cast of Emmerdale. Kev is definitely going to shake things up a bit and I’m looking forward to getting cracking!”

Chris played Tony King in EastEnders(Image: BBC)

But where do fans know Chris from? Soap fans will know the star for his role as Tony King in EastEnders. Tony was the ex-fiancée of Bianca Jackson and appeared in the Square for one year, from 2008-2009.

After his release from prison, for assaulting a teenage boy who propositioned Whitney Dean, it was revealed Tony had sexually abused Bianca’s stepdaughter Whitney since she was 12.

He then began to groom Lauren Branning, before being arrested when his heinous actions were exposed.

Over three years after his arrest, Whitney received a note through a former cellmate of Tony’s saying that he always loved her. She then decided to confront him in prison, only to learn he had taken his own life.

Tony was the ex-fiancé of Bianca Jackson(Image: BBC)

EastEnders were praised for covering such a difficult topic – as the NSPCC who they worked alongside said: “The way this issue has been presented in the story so far has, we believe, been a true reflection of many aspects of the way single mums and their children can be targeted and groomed, and of the ways abusers try to control and manipulate their victims.”

Tony King isn’t Chris’ only huge role. The Mancunian recently starred as Hobbs in British Spy Thriller Slow Horses and starred as Craig in Channel 4’s Shameless from 2005-2006.

New mystery character Kev will debut on the ITV soap in September, where it will soon be revealed he is linked to another villager. Not only that, but more than one character will feature in big scenes as Kev’s arrival has “major repercussions”.

Emmerdale Producer, Laura Shaw, said: “We are delighted that someone of Chris’ calibre has joined our cast. I think the viewers will be intrigued to see how the character of Kev will cause shockwaves this autumn.

“Kev has a strong connection to one of our characters and it’s safe to say his arrival is going to be a massive surprise that will have major repercussions for some of our villagers.”