Former Emmerdale star Kelvin Fletcher is giving viewers a raw and unfiltered look at the challenges of running a real farm, a far cry from his scripted days as Andy Sugden. In the latest episode of his family's reality show, the actor and his wife Liz tackled one of agriculture's least glamorous jobs.
The Grim Task of Sample Collection
The latest instalment of Fletchers' Family Farm saw the couple, who own a 120-acre property in Cheshire, faced with the messy job of collecting poo samples for the vet. While the adult ewes were relatively co-operative, their lambs proved far more difficult to handle.
Kelvin, 41, was eventually forced to call the vet for advice on how to proceed. The professional guidance was blunt: "Glove on, it's just one finger in". To his horror, the former Strictly Come Dancing winner began following the instructions but soon realised the task required a different approach.
Wife Liz to the Rescue
The situation led to Kelvin enlisting the help of his wife, Liz Marsland. As she climbed over the fence to take over, she didn't hold back her feelings. "You just make sure it doesn't kick! Oh, God. There's no poo there," she exclaimed. "You can't just have a root round, that's not nice. Do you want me to stick a finger up your bum?!"
Ultimately, it was Liz who successfully completed the unenviable task, providing a stark glimpse into the realities of farm life away from the cameras and glamour.
Heartwarming Family Moments Amid the Chaos
Not all moments on the farm were quite so grim. The episode also featured a touching scene where the couple's children—Marnie, seven, Milo, four, and 23-month-old twins Maximus and Mateusz—stepped in to help bottle-feed a pair of twin lambs struggling to feed from their mother.
The mother sheep was suspected to have mastitis, requiring a course of antibiotics. Liz prepared the bottles, noting it was similar to feeding their own children. Kelvin marvelled at how his young kids instinctively took on a caring role. "They're babies themselves but they see themselves as protectors of this little lamb, it's a beautiful quality," he told viewers.
The couple also provided an update on their farm's recovery after a devastating fire earlier this year, revealing they have expanded their livestock and even hosted their first wedding on the property. Looking ahead, Kelvin confirmed that new lambs are expected in the spring, as it is currently the sheep mating season.
Fletchers' Family Farm continues to air on ITV at 11.30am on Sundays.
