Emmerdale's Kev Barton to face new heartbreak over Nicola King

Emmerdale fans see Kev Barton's fresh start become tainted by sadness next week, as he struggles with his feelings for Nicola King.

Kev should be on top of the world after landing the role of chef at Robert Sugden's new Smokehouse venue, but instead he's nursing secret heartbreak.

Related: 5 Emmerdale spoilers for tonight as Tom King shocks Belle Dingle

Kev and Nicola have forged a powerful bond – and for Kev, it's grown into something romantic.

However, he knows Nicola is grieving, and so he's trying to keep his distance…

"Nicola didn't want Kev to leave the café – she's become very fond of him," explains our village source. "When Laurel suggested that he had feelings for her, Nicola dismissed her out of hand, but she was right.

"They are missing each other, however, it's not the right time for Nicola to even contemplate a new relationship."

Lewis has been really worried about his dad since Kev suggested that there was a spark between him and Nicola. He's relieved that Kev has done the right thing – even if it has put some strain on Lewis's own friendship with Nicola as they struggle to run the café together.

Related: 8 huge Emmerdale spoilers for next week (16 to 20 November)

However, the distance hasn't changed what Kev feels for Nicola, and he's trying to process those emotions. Landing the job is a stroke of good fortune, but it also means he's employed by his ex-husband, the man who left him broken-hearted.

Will Kev find a way to get over his feelings for Nicola and make a go of his new opportunity?

Speaking recently about whether Kev and Nicola will get together, Emmerdale's producer Sophie Roper told Inside Soap: "That dynamic is really beautiful. In the immediate future, we invest in Kev and Nicola's friendship. I think we're seeing them grow a really important bond.

"That's not to say that it won't evolve as we go into the future! But right now, Kev is just going to be Nicola's rock and a stoic support as she navigates her grief. That's really important, because Jimmy and Nicola were our beloved couple for so many years on this show.

"For Nicola to move on, that would be a huge decision and she's certainly not in the right frame of mind for that now. But what you will see is an incredible friendship that will have real depth and bring so much joy in the coming weeks and months."

See more of next week's Emmerdale spoilers:

- Emmerdale confirms Caleb and Sadie are caught out again

- Emmerdale's Sam Dingle to make desperate plea to Tom King

- Emmerdale's Caleb caught out over Sadie secret in 25 spoiler pictures

- Emmerdale's Thea Ramsden to keep secret in Steve Marchant story

Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 8pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.

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