The actor discusses his emotional departure and new chapter on his farm with family.
For years, Emmerdale enthusiasts have been clamouring for the return of fan-favourite Andy Sugden. The legendary character was brought to life by Kelvin Fletcher, who held the role for an impressive two decades. The 41-year-old telly sensation bid farewell to the ITV drama in 2016, sparking speculation about his character’s return—especially as Andy wasn’t written off with a death scene. Nearly ten years have passed since Kelvin last graced the Yorkshire Dales, and though he’s hung up his acting boots, his lifestyle on the Cheshire countryside isn’t too far removed from his on-screen farmer persona.
Recently, Kelvin and his wife Liz, along with their four children, embraced rural living after purchasing a sprawling 120-acre farm in the Peak District during the COVID-19 pandemic. Taking inspiration from Jeremy Clarkson, the family has launched their own fun-filled show, offering viewers insight to their farming life, according to reports from Leeds Live. But the burning question remains: why did Kelvin Fletcher leave Emmerdale?
Kelvin was just six years old when he made his Emmerdale debut back in 1996, little knowing this soap gig would pioneer his path. On the programme, viewers were introduced to Andy as the adopted son of Billy and Trisha Hopwood, seeing him involved in multiple dramatic storylines, including the gripping demise of his wife Katie after she fell due to Robert Sugden’s aggressive actions. This tumultuous character arc culminated with Andy leaving the village, aided by Robert’s production of a fake passport. Despite the ambiguity surrounding Andy’s ultimate fate, the faint hope for his return keeps fans speculating.
Kelvin Fletcher’s motivations for retiring from acting for now surfaced during his appearance on This Morning. Expressing his gratitude, he articulated, “Twenty years is a long time. It’s been an incredible twenty years. I am so grateful to Emmerdale… I have been extremely lucky.” He elaborated, “What started out as a hobby at six years old, I was then able to do something like this every day on one of the country’s greatest shows. Looking back over 20 years, it has been rollercoaster—giving me the passion to leave and explore other avenues.” Herein lies the sentiment: for Kelvin, acting was never strictly about ambition; it morphed from childlike passion to professional fulfilment.
Although his departure was not devoid of challenges. Kelvin disclosed some troubles at home stemming from his romantic scenes, saying, “I do ring her up and say, ‘I’m kissing so-and-so today’ and make a joke about it. That’s how we deal with it. But Liz won’t watch the show because she gets too jealous.” This tug-of-war between professional life and familial comfort sheds light on the personal struggles many actors face.
Since venturing beyond Emmerdale, Kelvin has thrived on television, recently winning the seventeenth series of Strictly Come Dancing alongside pro-dancer Oti Mabuse, and launching his series, Fletchers’ Family Farm. Exciting news came during their recent ITV appearance, with Liz disclosing, “Over the next few weeks and months we’re going to be sharing with you and the viewers a bit of an exclusive insight… It’s going to be an exciting few months with you guys.” The farm show, airing on ITV1 and ITVBe, peels back the curtain on their new life, inviting viewers to relish their family dynamics and rural experiences.
Fans of Emmerdale are left pondering Andy Sugden’s fate, as so much remains unsaid. While Kelvin Fletcher has shifted gears toward new opportunities, the cherished memories and experiences from his time on the soap will forever resonate. emoting the hope of his dramatic return all the more palpable.