Kelvin Fletcher’s portrayal of Andy Sugden in Emmerdale was more than just a role—it mirrored aspects of his real life. The 41-year-old spent two decades starring in the ITV soap before stepping away to embrace a quieter family life with his wife Liz and their four children.
In 2021, the couple made a significant lifestyle change, moving away from the spotlight to buy a 120-acre farm in Wincle, near Macclesfield, Cheshire. Their journey into farming became the heart of a new television focus, initially captured in the BBC’s Kelvin’s Big Farming Adventure in 2022. Since then, their story has continued on ITV with Fletchers’ Family Farm, including a festive special and regular appearances on Lorraine.
Andy Sugden was a key figure on Emmerdale from 1996 until his dramatic exit in 2016. Throughout his 20-year stint, the character experienced intense storylines, including the tragic death of his wife Katie, which saw her fall from a barn roof after a confrontation with Andy’s on-screen brother, Robert. After that event, Andy fled the village with a fake passport provided by Robert, and the character hasn’t returned since.
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Kelvin didn’t just leave acting behind; he followed another passion by diving into motor racing. Swapping a tractor for a £200,000 supercar, he quickly climbed the amateur racing ranks and secured several championship titles. Kelvin has explained his love for cars runs deep, influenced by his mechanic father and his youthful dream of working in a garage.
In candid moments on the Off Script… Coronation Street and Emmerdale podcast, Kelvin revealed he once narrowly missed out on a role in Coronation Street. Competing for the part of Jamie Armstrong, which ultimately went to Joseph Gilgun, Kelvin instead found his lasting success on Emmerdale. Despite this early setback, he had a small role in Coronation Street in 1996 before becoming a staple on Emmerdale.
Leaving a twenty-year acting career behind was not an easy choice. Kelvin has openly discussed the fears and family doubts he faced, including his father’s initial skepticism about abandoning acting for farming. On the Who We Are Now podcast, Kelvin reflected on his love for performing while acknowledging the bravery of making such a drastic change.
Today, Kelvin Fletcher thrives in his new role as a farmer and television presenter, enjoying family life and the peacefulness of country living. Fletchers’ Family Farm airs on ITV1 each weekend and is available to stream via the ITV Hub, inviting viewers to witness this refreshing chapter in Kelvin’s life.