Kelvin Fletcher spent two decades as a beloved staple of ITV’s Emmerdale, bringing Andy Sugden to life.
For years, Emmerdale fans have eagerly hoped for the return of beloved character Andy Sugden. Portrayed by Kelvin Fletcher for an impressive 20 years, Andy remains one of the show’s most iconic figures.
The 41-year-old TV star departed the ITV drama in 2016, leaving the door open for speculation about a possible comeback—especially since his character’s exit didn’t involve a definitive death scene.
It’s been nearly ten years since Kelvin last graced the Yorkshire Dales, and while he’s hung up his acting boots, his current lifestyle in the Cheshire countryside isn’t too far removed from his on-screen farmer persona.
In recent times, Kelvin and his wife Liz, along with their four children, have embraced rural living after buying a sprawling 120-acre farm in the Peak District during the Covid pandemic.
Taking inspiration from Jeremy Clarkson, the family recently launched their own fun-filled show, offering viewers a glimpse into their farming life, reports Leeds Live.
But the burning question remains: why did Kelvin Fletcher leave Emmerdale? Let’s delve into his reasons for departing the soap after such a lengthy stint.
Andy Sugden’s departure
Kelvin first appeared on our screens at the tender age of six, making his Emmerdale debut in 1996, little knowing that this soap gig would shape his entire career trajectory.
On the programme, Andy’s biological parents were Billy and Trisha Hopwood, though he was initially portrayed as the son of Jack Sugden and Sarah Sugden, before the revelation of his adoption emerged.
Andy’s tenure on the show has been packed with intense drama, including the mysterious demise of his spouse Katie, who died after a fall in the barn, caused by Andy’s step-brother Robert Sugden’s aggressive actions.
The turmoil escalated when it was discovered that Katie had been entangled in an affair with Robert, leading to a catastrophic breakdown of their familial bond. The constant upheaval proved too much for Kelvin’s character, prompting Andys departure from the village with the aid of a fake passport arranged by Robert.
Despite Andy Sugden’s exit not appearing definitive to viewers, the possibility of him being alive somewhere keeps the hope of a spectacular return to Emmerdale alive.
Acting was a hobby not a career
While Andy’s fictional reasons for leaving are known, Kelvin Fletcher’s actual motivation for retiring from acting after two decades remained unspoken until he appeared on an episode of This Morning. Discussing his departure from Emmerdale with hosts Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford, the father-of-four revealed: “Twenty years is a long time. It’s been an incredible twenty years.”
Kelvin Fletcher expressed his deep gratitude towards Emmerdale, stating that his time on the show had given him a profound sense of purpose and fulfillment. He revealed that acting hadn’t always been his lifelong passion, but rather something he stumbled upon and grew to love.
He added: “What started out as a hobby at six years old I was then able to do something like that every day on a professional platform on one of the country’s greatest shows. I have been extremely lucky.”
Reflecting on his 20-year journey, Kelvin described it as a rollercoaster ride that had ultimately given him the passion to move on and explore new opportunities.
Issues at home
However, his time on the soap wasn’t without its challenges, particularly when it came to filming intimate scenes. In a previous interview, Kelvin revealed that he would often check in with his wife Liz before kissing scenes, as she would get “jealous” and refuse to watch the show.
He explained: “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. To me, though, it’s just work.”
New TV hosting gig
Since leaving Emmerdale, Kelvin has gone on to achieve great success in the TV world, winning the seventeenth series of Strictly Come Dancing alongside pro-dancer Oti Mabuse and even launching his own show, Fletchers’ Family Farm, in October 2023.
In their latest update, the Fletchers revealed more thrilling news during an appearance on ITV’s Lorraine. Building on the success of their farm series, Kelvin and Liz will now be joining forces with the popular Scottish host on a more regular basis.
Speaking with Lorraine Kelly after dropping off the kids at school, Liz shared: “Over the next few weeks and months we’re going to be sharing with you and the viewers a bit of an exclusive insight into our life on the farm. It’s going to be an exciting few months with you guys.”
The Fletchers’ Family Farm will air on ITV1 each Sunday, from 11am, with a repeat airing on ITVBe at 8pm the same evening.
