Inside the Real Lives of Liz and Kelvin Fletcher – Parenting, Farming, and Staying Grounded
When we caught up with Liz and Kelvin Fletcher, their daily life was just as you’d expect from hands-on, devoted parents. Liz balanced caring for their young twins, Maximus and Mateusz, while actively working on their farm, and Kelvin was busy dealing with the internet setup. Despite their status as successful actors, often associated with glitz and glamour, the Fletchers remain refreshingly down-to-earth.
Familiar with life in the spotlight, Liz is best known for her roles in Pace and Cold Feet, while Kelvin became a household name after over two decades playing Andy Sugden on Emmerdale. He further won the nation’s hearts by triumphing in Strictly Come Dancing 2019 alongside Oti Mabuse. Yet, beyond the cameras, their real-life journey of parenting and farm life is just as compelling as any TV drama.
Last year, the couple invited us into their world (figuratively, of course) as they took on the challenge of family life on their farm in the TV series Fletcher’s Family Farm. We got a front-row seat to their journey, watching them balance parenting, farming, and everything in between. So, when we heard they’d be back for a second series on November 24th on ITV1, we knew we had to catch up with them to get the inside scoop on what’s been happening since we last saw them.
Move over showbiz, Hello Mother Nature
Kelvin, Liz, and their four children, Marnie, Milo, and twins Mateusz and Maximus, took the bold leap that many parents only dream of, swapping the hustle and bustle of city life for rural living on 120 acres of land just outside the Peak District. And whilst the farm has thrown its fair share of challenges, the couple, who don’t come from farming backgrounds, explain why they think it was a brilliant choice for their family.
“Whenever life gets overwhelming, our kind of safe place is outside. The kids just become free little spirits and find adventure in every corner. Whether it’s raining, freezing, snowing, sunny, or whatever the weather, we get outside as much as possible. And, you know, it just, even for me, I love the sound, I love the smells, I love what it does to my mind, makes me feel better,” explains Liz.
“You don’t really realise just how little time you actually need to spend indoors.”
In the new season of Fletcher’s Family Farm, Liz and Kelvin promise viewers even more of their family’s journey as they welcome new animals to the farm and dive deeper into the agricultural lifestyle. Liz shared with us how the move to the farm has shown her just how little time she needs to spend indoors, and as a mother, she’s found this shift to be incredibly positive for her overall well-being. And, of course, she says this on a misty, foggy morning whilst rocking a hoodie-and-fleece combo that only Liz could make look this stylish.
Liz and Kelvin Fletcher share that the farm has had a noticeable impact on their children. Kelvin mentions that he often goes foraging with their eldest daughter, Marnie, and this Christmas, she was even gifted a sheep to look after!
“I think children find adventure in any outdoor area.”
“They really enjoy getting involved. They’re always curious about what’s happening around them. It also gives them a sense of independence, being able to go outside, explore the bushes, and see what’s growing. I think children find adventure in any sort of outdoor area,” says Kelvin.
Harvesting Chaos
We’re in complete awe of how well Liz and Kelvin balance farm life with raising their family. In this new series, we’re told to expect even more glimpses into their daily life as they navigate the farm together. But, honestly, we couldn’t help but wonder…How do they do it all? It seems impossible to manage livestock while also raising kids. As always, Liz gave us a refreshingly honest answer.
“It’s absolute chaos some days. Our school run is…Well, to this day, we never seem to find a matching pair of socks. Someone’s always missing a shoe. You get one twin dressed, and by the time you turn around, the other one’s gotten undressed!”
The Fletchers have been juggling parenting with running the farm for two years now, but as any parent with multiple kids knows, one of the biggest challenges is finding time for one-on-one moments with each child. While we can’t even begin to imagine how they manage it all while also running a busy farm, we’re excited to see how they make it work in the new series.
Kelvin and Liz shared this golden nugget of advice: “Hobbies.” They explained how they use each child’s interests as an opportunity for one-on-one time. For example, if Kelvin takes their daughter Marnie to her dance practice or Liz takes Milo to rugby, they always make sure to turn these activities into special one-on-one moments, often squeezing in a hot chocolate or treat beforehand. Genius!
“Me and Marnie often do a little date night.”
Kelvin beams as he says, “Me and Marnie often do a little date night. She’ll appear all dressed up with a little bag, and that’s my ‘date’ for the night. I’ll try to be romantic, but then I’ll end up embarrassing her. She’ll say, ‘You’re so embarrassing, Dad,’ but I know deep down, she’s secretly thinking, ‘Yes!'”
New Season, New Challenges
What can we expect from the new season? Well, a lot has changed on the Fletcher farm. They have gone from no Sheep, to ten Sheep to now over two hundred Sheep and thirty Pigs. Talk about a busy household.
Kelvin explains, “Right from the start, in episode one, we face challenges we’ve never experienced before. It’s an emotional rollercoaster. I think Liz cried in episode one.” Liz playfully interrupts, “I’m always crying!” Kelvin continues, “Yeah, we take some big leaps, and there are plenty of times when we come up short. But that’s important—that’s life and farming.”
Is Farm Life Forever?
Whilst we absolutely loved watching Liz and Kelvin Fletcher and their family on series one of the Fletcher Farm and keenly await the new season, we wondered if this was it for the celebrity couple.
“I can’t imagine a life without some aspect of country living or farming. It gives you a stillness and a presence that nothing else ever has. Naturally, we incorporate other parts of our life as we go, seeing where they take us. But at the core of it all, for me, living off the land, having that sense of community, and taking pride in rural life and homegrown food – that’s what it’s all about,” says Kelvin.
“The farm will be a legacy to the children, not just in a physical sense, but in the values they learn here. That, to me, is absolutely key. The farm will provide a foundation, both consciously and subconsciously, and the opportunities they have and the lessons they absorb will benefit them for the rest of their lives. It’s truly priceless.”
However Kelvin does tease that maybe a ranch in America could be on the cards one day, and if that’s the case, we hope they bring the cameras with them.
