Fred Kettle, the 19-year-old actor playing troubled youngster Dylan Penders in Emmerdale, has spoken candidly about his dyslexia diagnosis and rapid rise to fame. Living with his parents and younger sister in Bradford, Fred joined the soap in February 2025 while finishing his college course. He now finds himself at the heart of major storylines, including a recent court case where his character was found not guilty of perverting the course of justice over the murder of Ray Walters.
Fred was diagnosed with dyslexia at age nine after his mother pushed for a test. He recalls struggling at school: 'Nothing gelled for me. I liked reading but I was terrible at it. I had to read everything five times and go very slowly. I still do.' Despite the challenges, he never wanted to use his dyslexia as an excuse. 'I never ever wanted to pull the “I am dyslexic” card at school. I didn’t want it to define me and I still don’t,' he said.
A turning point came when he took part in a youth acting course with the Royal Shakespeare Company. 'Acting was a new channel for me and it was a way of expressing myself too,' Fred explained. He developed his own approach to scripts, reading them as if someone is speaking the lines, which made them easier to handle. After studying drama at Wakefield’s Capa College, he landed roles in the short film Poppy Day, the BBC’s Sherwood, and did voiceover work for Netflix’s Adolescence.
Fred joined Emmerdale initially for a brief stint last February, but returned permanently in May after impressing bosses. He was nominated for an Inside Soap Award for Best Young Performer in July. Reflecting on his journey, he said: 'I am still buzzing. It feels surreal and I can’t believe that less than a year ago I was at college. Now I am here on Emmerdale playing Dylan. It’s mad and I am loving being in the soap.'
