Bradley Riches has teased fans as he responded to a shock paternity twist for his character in the ITV soap

Emmerdale star Bradley Riches has teased fans as he responded to a shock paternity twist for his character in the long-running show.

The Netflix star rose to fame thanks to his role in Heartstopper, followed by a stint in last year’s Celebrity Big Brother where he was evicted in sixth place.

But those who follow the ITV soap will recall that Bradley made his debut in the Dales earlier this year, as the long-lost son of the late Emma Barton.

Having been adopted as a baby, Lewis wanted to know more about his mother Emma and sent a letter to Moira Dingle looking for answers, who felt tremendous guilt as she’s the one who pushed Emma to her death.

It was his half-brother Ross Barton who met up with Lewis in an attempt to avoid questions about their mother. Eventually, Lewis did find out that it was Moira who had accidentally killed her.

After his initial horror, Lewis has found a home in the village, recently having moved in with Ross and Vinnie Dingle, as well as getting a job with Nicola King at the cafe.

But it looks like Lewis’ life could take a dramatic turn, as during a special episode of Emmerdale on Wednesday night (November 12), Kev Townsend was heard revealing he has a son – and everything is pointing to him being Lewis.

The episode revealed the truth about Robert Sugden’s prison and how he came to know, and be married to, Kev. But as Robert opened up about his traumatic time inside, with the help of flashbacks, Kev was trying to hide his own secrets with the help of local GP Liam Cavanagh.

During their chat, as Kev lies to Robert about dying, the newcomer also revealed that he lies about not having a child. “I lie about stuff all the time. I lie about not having a kid all the time,” he confessed.

“[I’ve got] a son. I don’t want people thinking bad of me for never bothering with him. I never asked to have him. Had a crazy one-nighter with a barmaid in Leeds and suddenly bang, there’s a baby.”

Kev went on: “[The mother] put him up for adoption as soon as he was born. Emma something, right fruit loop. I think she got herself murdered a few years ago,” just as Lewis began tidying the table in front of him.

Emmerdale fans were quick to connect the dots, and now, Bradley has also commented on the major twist. Sharing a picture of himself on-screen as Lewis, he said: “Me watching tonight’s episode like: [eyes and mouth emojis].”

He added: “I wonder what will happen next? You will have to wait and find out… But in the meantime,” before adding a link to vote for the TV Choice Awards 2025, where he is nominated in the Best Soap Newcomer category.

Meanwhile, Emmerdale fans were flocking to social media to have their say. @Jeffers__7 said: “So Kev is Lewis dad excuse me!!! #Emmerdale.” @sugdenbuckley commented: “lewis having emma and kev as his biological parents is just cruel on the poor lad #robron #emmerdale.”

@aarondinglesugs wrote: “So Kev is Lewis’s dad, that is genius!! I hate it but that is genius!! #emmerdale@Lovelea8818 added: “Kev is Lewis’s Father. Thought he was gonna be connected to Celia. My god these Emmerdale episodes of late have been astounding.”