Kelvin Fletcher's life after Emmerdale – Strictly success, farm life and birth of twins

Kelvin Fletcher first hit our screens when he joined the Emmerdale cast in 1996 at just 12 years old.

The actor played Andy Sugden and was only supposed to be on the soap temporarily, but he quickly became one of the most popular characters on the show, and Fletcher ended up having a whopping 20-year stint on Emmerdale.

But in 2016 fans were upset to learn that Fletcher would be leaving the show because he wanted to “do something else”.

During an appearance on This Morning, he said: “My time came now. It’s a decision I have pondered on for about 18 months.

“About 12 months ago I made the decision to leave, with no discredit to the show – if anything it was because of their creativity which has given me a sense of confidence and I believed I could go on and do something else.”

And it seems that Fletcher has really made the most of his time since leaving the show.

Six years on, the former actor has certainly been busy with his other pursuits – not least becoming a dad to two baby twins.

Strictly Come Dancing champion

In 2019 it was announced that Kelvin would be replacing Jamie Lang on Strictly, after the Made In Chelsea star sustained a nasty foot injury at the launch.

Despite his last-minute entry, Kelvin’s time on Strictly was a massive success.

Fletcher was partnered with Oti Mabuse and ended up dancing his way all the way to the final where he won the Glitterball trophy.

After being crowned champion of the ballroom he said: “It’s just been such a privilege to be here, I think this show represents everything that is amazing with this country.”

Professional racing career

It seems that dancing isn’t the ex-Emmerdale actor’s only talent either – he’s also an avid rally car driver.

After leaving Emmerdale, one of the first dreams that he went on to pursue was a career in racing.

Speaking to the Mirror just a year after his departure from the show he said: “At the ripe old age of 28 I decided to give it a go.

“Me and my dad bought a classic Mini and went club racing. I ended up winning the championship.

“I’ve signed professional contracts. It’s ­certainly snowballed and it’s a dream come true. I was lucky because sponsors were willing to back me because of my profile.”

Farming in the Peak District

In 2021 Kelvin decided to try his hand at yet another career: farming.

He and his family made the move from urban life in Oldham to rural bliss in the Peak District after buying a 120-acre 18th-century farm.

The family’s farming journey was captured for a six-part series on BBC One titled Kelvin’s Big Farming Adventure.

Speaking to Radio Times about the big move, Kelvin said: “Often life is a case of always being on to the next thing, and I guess lockdown was a real pause when you couldn’t help but be present and reflect.

“I think both of us were ready for a change. To embrace something new.”

Dad of four

Fletcher married actress and childhood sweetheart Liz Marsland in 2015 and shortly after he left Emmerdale in August 2016 they welcomed their first child, Marnie.

Speaking about becoming a father to the Mirror, Fletcher said: “Fatherhood is amazing. It’s ­everything and more.

“We’d love to have more children. We’re in a good position to start working on a bigger family. I’ve got my estate car already so I’m good to go. I want five kids.”

Since then Fletcher’s hopes of a big family have come true.

Two years after the birth of their first child, the couple welcomed their first son Milo.

And the couple has now just welcomed newborn twins, rounding their brood up to a total of four already.

Announcing the birth of his twin sons on Instagram, Kelvin said they were “a gift from God”.

Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk