Kelvin Fletcher has opened up about the realities of farming life with his wife Liz, revealing that the challenges of herding sheep have brought them close to the brink of divorce. The former Emmerdale actor humorously admitted, “It nearly ends up in divorce” when trying to round up their flock.
Explaining the process, Kelvin said, “We have got to round all of the sheep up just to get the two that we need [for slaughter],” highlighting how difficult even the simplest farming tasks can be. Liz added candidly, “Rounding sheep never gets easier; you just lose patience.”
Reflecting on their shared experience, Kelvin said, “We have good days and bad days. Sometimes I come in, it takes me five or ten minutes, and they go exactly where I want them to go; other days, they are not playing ball.” The couple admitted that trying to manage sheep together leads to arguments, with Kelvin joking, “It nearly ends up in divorce, so it’s just ticking all those boxes.”
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Despite the strains, Liz commented wryly, “We are just typical farmers now, rowing about sheep,” while Kelvin urged, “Let’s try to remain friends,” as they shook hands and renewed their focus on the task at hand.
Their efforts eventually paid off when they successfully loaded the two sheep destined for slaughter. Kelvin reflected on this milestone with pride: “These will be the first two livestock we have witnessed being born, reared ourselves, and sent to market. We have seen the whole process. It is quite rewarding, actually.”
In a touching moment from their farming journey, Kelvin and Liz faced the difficult choice to reintroduce their pet lamb, Aga, back to the main flock. Kelvin shared, “It’s the right thing for him, but a day we’ve all been dreading,” adding, “Our Aga is more like a dog than a sheep, and we’ve all become very attached to the little guy.”
As their daughter Marnie said goodbye to Aga, Kelvin observed, “She’s gutted,” and asked Liz, “She’s going to be upset, isn’t she?” Ending the day on an emotional note, Kelvin said, “That may not have been the most profitable decision I have made today, but family comes first.”
Fans can catch more of Kelvin and Liz’s farming life in the series Fletcher’s Family Farm, available to watch on ITVX.