Inside Emmerdale’s Kelvin Fletcher’s split from wife, ‘jealousy’ issues and race driver past
Emmerdale star Kelvin Fletcher is now starring in his own reality show Fletcher's Family Farm
Kevin appeared in the ITV soap Emmerdale for nearly two decades(Image: ITV)
Kelvin Fletcher seems to be embracing his former Emmerdale role as farmer Andy Sugden, making the leap from soap opera star to genuine livestock keeper. Though his stint on the beloved ITV drama has finished, his television journey continues to flourish.
The star now has his own reality programme, Fletcher’s Family Farm, starring alongside wife Liz and their four children. In one episode of the series, Kelvin and Liz were overcome with emotion as they entered their cattle into a coveted competition in Cheshire, close to their 120-acre smallholding in the Peak District.
They secured first place and even claimed the champion trophy, yet the most heartwarming scene unfolded when their two eldest youngsters, Milo and Marnie, stepped forward to help guide the cattle to triumph.
Addressing the cameras, a tearful Kelvin shared an intimate exchange with his daughter moments before they entered the arena. She admitted to him that she was “scared.”
The former Strictly champion urged his daughter to go on and win, though he later revealed off-camera that “it broke his heart,” reports Leeds Live.
The show has established itself as a viewer favourite, celebrated as an inspiring ITV hit. The depiction of this farming family resonates for its genuine nature, even amongst members of the agricultural sector.
The programme doesn’t dodge the tough realities, capturing both the triumphant moments and challenging setbacks the family faces. Viewers have become captivated watching the family pull together whilst tackling daily tasks such as caring for animals, cleaning out stables, and operating farm machinery.
Exploring the more intimate side of things, we examine what the Fletcher’s Family Farm personalities get up to away from the cameras.
Emmerdale
Kelvin made his first appearance in Emmerdale Farm in 1996(Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
When it comes to Emmerdale, Kelvin captured viewers’ affections portraying the loveable Andy Sugden, appearing on our television screens for almost two decades following his first appearance in 1996.
Andy was born to Billy Hopwood and Trisha Hopwood but was raised by Jack Sugden and Sarah Sugden after they adopted him.
During his time in the programme, he found himself at the heart of gripping storylines, particularly surrounding the puzzling death of his wife Katie, who perished after plummeting in a barn incident caused by Robert Sugden’s interference.
Following his departure from the soap opera, Kelvin’s character arc remained unresolved. Andy allegedly fled the village using forged documents under the false identity Brian Moore, almost departing alongside Bernice Blackstock before she decided against it at the eleventh hour.
Jealous spouse
On a more intimate level, the Emmerdale favourite revealed that life away from the set hasn’t always been plain sailing. Due to romantic scenes creating genuine friction at home, his wife Liz admitted to experiencing “jealous” feelings regarding his on-screen kisses.
Kelvin shared with The Sun how he balances his work duties with his personal life. He revealed: “I do ring her up and say, ‘I’m kissing so-and-so today’ and make a joke about it. That’s how we deal with it. But Liz won’t watch the show because she gets too jealous. To me, though, it’s just work.”
Temporary separation from Liz
Kelvin Fletcher and his wife Liz left their home in Oldham for a 120-acre farm in the Peak District in 2020(Image: ITV)
Liz and Kelvin share a lengthy past, having known each other since the tender age of eight. They reconnected in 2009 and eventually walked down the aisle in 2016.
Yet their romance hit a rocky patch in 2010 when Liz became troubled by messages from Kelvin’s admirers.
A source told the Mirror at the time: “Liz has always been jealous of the attention Kelvin receives. He is always getting stopped by girls wanting his autograph when he’s on nights out. Kelvin assures her nothing goes on, but it has worn her down over the years, and she decided that she just couldn’t continue seeing him.”
Motor racing background
Kelvin had a passion for high-octane thrills(Image: Instagram)
Prior to his television stardom, Kelvin had a passion for high-octane thrills. Whilst he may have only managed modest speeds on his Emmerdale tractor, everything shifted in 2017 when he dramatically departed the soap to chase his motorsport ambitions.
He bid farewell to the programme, trading his television vehicles for a gleaming £200,000 racing machine and taking to the circuit. Kelvin wasn’t merely dabbling; his innate talent for racing propelled him through the amateur ranks, bagging championships along the way.
Speaking candidly about his love for motors, he confessed to the Express: “I’ve always been a risk taker, and I love anything with an engine. My dad was a mechanic and I wanted to be one too. Even when I started acting, I still wanted to be in a garage. I was obsessed with cars.”
