Kelvin and Liz Fletcher have shared an update about rebuilding the family's fire-damaged home. The mum-of-four said their children now call it "the burnt house" because they no longer remember living there.
Speaking in the latest episode of Fletcher's Family Farm, broadcast on Sunday, Liz said the house would be their next big project, although she expects it will take a long time to finish.
Family's next big project
The family were forced to leave their home after a fire broke out while they were on holiday last year. Now, the couple are hoping to rebuild the house for their children again.
While preparing the farm's holiday cottage for guests, Liz said: "The next big project is actually our house, which I didn't ever think was going to be on the list. But yeah, it'll be nice to put this energy and effort into the house now and build a home for the kids."
She added: "The twins don't remember living in it. That's how long it's been. They call it the burnt house, which is sad, really, but listen, one day we'll be able to move back in, and it'll just be their home."
Emotional toll of returning
Although there is still plenty of work ahead, Liz said she was eager to get started. She said: "I imagine it'll take us forever to finish it, but I guess that'll be part of our story now, won't it? I can't wait to lay some bricks, start mixing some cement, doing some hard graft. I'm excited for it."
In a previous episode, the couple opened up about the emotional toll of returning to the damaged farmhouse as they prepared to clear it out. The moment was described as "the beginning of the next chapter, the rebuild".
Kelvin explained in a voiceover that smoke damage had made the house unliveable, while insurance rules meant it had to remain untouched for months. Before refurbishment work could begin, the couple needed to sort through their possessions. Kelvin said: "And when you're dealing with a lifetime of memories and belongings, it's not an easy task."
Turning a new page
As Liz took the lead in deciding what to salvage, Kelvin admitted that the long wait had changed how he felt about the property. He said: "I've wanted to start this for almost 18 months, and then I've become so detached.
"You walk past it, and I've just lost my connection, really, which is heartbreaking to say, but it was our home. It was our dream home in many ways, and to have that disconnect, and you're just so busy with everything else, and the process has been so long, it's just finally good to turn a new page and finally start the rebuild."
Liz also said seeing the damage still upset her, but the family remained thankful they had not been at home when the fire broke out. She said: "It still makes me so sad when I come in and see it like this, but the thought now that we can just clear it up.
"People say, 'Oh, you've had some bad luck this year'. And, yeah, but actually, we do always say we've been so lucky that we weren't here. I just can't imagine what that would have been like."
The ITV show, Fletchers' Family Farm, has been a hit with fans since it first aired in October 2023. The documentary series sees millions of viewers tune in as the family navigate their life on the farm located in the Peak District.
The site is a private farm and is not currently open to the public on a day-to-day basis. However, Kelvin and Liz have hosted open days in the past and regular seasonal events.
Alongside managing their farm, the Fletchers seemed to add another challenge into the mix as they converted an old barn into a holiday let. Fletcher's Family Farm airs on Sundays at 11.25am on ITV.
