Emmerdale star Chris Coghill says ‘ground-breaking’ plot on rival soap ‘changed lives’
Emmerdale newcomer Chris Coghill's controversial role as Tony King on EastEnders sparked huge conversation back in 2008, but it also 'changed lives' the actor has revealed
New Emmerdale cast member Chris Coghill has shared the impact his “ground-breaking” role on a rival soap had on both his career and soap viewers.
His new role as Robert Sugden’s secret husband Kev is starkly different to his stint on EastEnders in 2008, as child abuser Tony King. The controversial storyline led to Chris missing out on certain roles, he told The Mirror and other press, but Chris feels proud that the plot that “people didn’t want on screen”, had an impact on the lives of some viewers.
Chris, who features in big scenes next week as Robert’s partner Aaron Dingle finds out about Kev, revealed that after the scenes aired, it “changed lives”. He explained: “It was so controversial and pretty ground-ground-breaking at the time.
“The reaction to that was pretty big. People didn’t even want that to be on screen. People said it might get to the point where they couldn’t tell the difference between the character and you but I didn’t really find that.
“People would be like, ‘You were really good in EastEnders.’” Chris then revealed that the plot encouraged victims to speak out, adding: “It was afterwards when casting directors and so on would say, ‘We can’t really have him playing a romantic lead for a bit.’
“But one of the reactions to that was that five or six people actually went to prison because people saw that storyline and went, ‘That happened to me,’ and went to the police. As an actor you don’t really change people’s lives but that sort of did.”
Chris isn’t expecting such a strong reaction to his character this time around, adding fans may be “surprised” by what they see. “I pretty much always play wrong ’uns. I do do stuff that gets a reaction,” he told us. “This isn’t on the same level. I think people will be surprised by what I’m doing.”
It’s not his first time on Emmerdale either, with him also having appeared on Coronation Street in the past. Chris shared with us that his first ever acting job was in the Dales decades ago, and now it’s come full-circle.
He confessed: “Weirdly, my first ever job was on Emmerdale. I was 17 years old. I’ve also done Coronation Street – I’ve done the lot. It’s very different to EastEnders. It’s nice to be here.”
Feuding between Kev and Aaron asides, Chris confessed it’s all fun and games with co-stars Ryan Hawley, who plays Robert, and Danny Miller, who plays Aaron. He told us: “I’m thoroughly enjoying being here. The only downside is having to work with Ryan I suppose. It’s an absolutely lovely place to work, especially here in the village, it’s stunning, absolutely beautiful place to be.”
