Emmerdale star Kelvin Fletcher has candidly talked about discovering what’s truly important in life since swapping the soap opera spotlight for the serenity of farm life. The actor, who captured hearts as Andy Sugden on the renowned ITV series, has undertaken a significant lifestyle shift with his wife Liz Marsland and their brood.
In a bold move, the duo, along with their four children, traded in the limelight for a bucolic 120-acre farm located in the Peak District, acquired in 2021. The Fletchers’ day-to-day activities amongst their 100 sheep, 30 pigs, 10 horses, six chickens, one cat, and Ginger, their loyal canine, stands in stark contrast to their former showbiz existence.
Even after weathering a stormy period in their romance, marked by a brief separation due to risque messages from admirers to Kelvin, they’ve rebuilt their bond and are seemingly flourishing surrounded by nature’s splendour.
During an appearance on BBC Breakfast, Kelvin opened up regarding his newfound way of living. He said: “I think for me, I personally don’t want to seek any sort of validation elsewhere. I know how valued we are as a family and what we do in our small family farm, and I share that with every other family farm.”
He elaborated on the reverence he holds for the farming vocation, saying: “You take great pride in producing food and having a real acknowledgement towards nature, towards the habitat. You’re a custodian of the land, and it’s a privilege,” as reported by the Mirror.
The Fletcher family has transitioned from city to country life, an adventure captured in the series Kelvin’s Big Farming Adventure and Fletchers’ Family Farm.
Kelvin has expressed his ambition for the series to “bridge the gap” between farmers and consumers by explaining where food comes from. He pointed out, “Once you get an understanding of something, like any subject, then appreciation follows, and that’s what we all endeavour to do.”
Reflecting on his past as a teen idol, Kelvin recalled how fame once caused friction in his relationship. In 2010, he was inundated with flirtatious messages from admirers, contributing to a temporary separation from his partner.
