Former Emmerdale star Kelvin Fletcher has revealed that his decision to become a farmer was an 'accident' that followed a rugby injury. The 39-year-old actor, who played Andy Sugden on the ITV soap for 20 years, bought a 120-acre farm in the Peak District with his wife Liz in 2020.
Fletcher, who won Strictly Come Dancing in 2019, had been planning to move to Los Angeles to further his acting career. However, the pandemic halted those plans, and he spotted a farm for sale online. 'We didn't do it because we wanted to be farmers,' he said. 'We wanted something different.'
The couple now cares for 100 sheep, 30 pigs, 10 horses, six chickens, a cat, and a dog on their farm, alongside their four children. Fletcher admitted the venture snowballed: 'There are sheep, so you think, "I'll get some more sheep". Then it snowballs.'
His farming life became the subject of a BBC series, Kelvin's Big Farming Adventure, after a producer suggested it as a modern-day The Good Life. Despite his new lifestyle, Fletcher said he would 'never say never' to returning to Emmerdale, praising the show's fanbase and success.
Fletcher also spoke about facing rejection since leaving his signature role, telling OK! Magazine: 'I've had about 10 nos in these last few months. So, keep the faith. Patience is key.'
