Former Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher has spoken candidly about a "traumatic time" when a devastating fire struck his family farm, forcing them to evacuate their home. Appearing with his wife Liz on Tuesday's episode of ITV Lorraine, the star reflected on the incident that occurred over a year ago at their 120-acre property in Wincle, Cheshire, near the Staffordshire border.
The Devastating Fire Incident
The couple was enjoying downtime with their children away from the farm when they received a distressing call from a neighbour alerting them to the blaze. The fire rendered their home unsafe to live in, compelling the family to seek temporary accommodation while repairs were undertaken. More than twelve months later, they have since returned to their cherished rural retreat.
Life's Unexpected Curveballs
During the emotional interview, Kelvin admitted that "life throws curveballs," describing the fire as a significant one. He stated, "Yes, it's idyllic and this great sense of escapism but life does throw curveballs and that was a big curveball for us." Looking back, he acknowledged it was "quite a traumatic time" but emphasized focusing on the positives and moving forward.
The soap star explained that a major rebuild is about to commence, which he intends to feature on their ITV reality series, Fletchers Family Farm. "I've been wanting to show that in the show - that the show is our lives, so the good, the bad, the overwhelmingly. It's positive because we're in a really great place now," he added.
Positive Outcomes and Show Spoilers
Host Lorraine Kelly pointed out some silver linings, noting that the farm has hosted weddings and events, sharing the space with others. She expressed feeling connected to their journey, saying, "We've watched you and we feel very much part of your lives. It's lovely."
In a lighthearted moment, Liz dropped a spoiler for the show, revealing that Lorraine will make an unexpected appearance in an upcoming episode. She disclosed, "You're on the next episode, actually, because... a little Spoiler alert, we actually film us doing the live VT, so you see the behind the scenes. Kelvin asked if you'd like to have a mullet."
Lorraine looked stunned and burst out laughing, recalling, "Oh, yes I remember you had a mullet. I think even your sheep and your cows had mullets, it was a thing." Kelvin joked about his hairstyle choice, quipping, "I keep telling everyone it’s a midlife crisis. It's either that or a sports car. I can't afford a sports car, so I've come for a mullet instead."
The episode highlighted the family's resilience and ongoing projects, with viewers able to catch up on Fletcher Family Farm via ITVX, while Lorraine airs weekdays from 9:30am on ITV1 and ITVX.
