Kelvin Fletcher pays heartbreaking tribute and admits ‘stuff of nightmares’ in farm blaze

The former Emmerdale actor and his wife Liz are heading back to screens with their adored ITV show, Fletcher’s on the Farm

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Kelvin and Liz Fletcher with their children as Fletchers Family Farm returns(Image: Steve Morgan)

Kelvin Fletcher has revealed the heartbreaking tribute he has paid following the loss of close friend, while also opening up about the ‘stuff of nightmares’ following a fire on his farm.

The former Emmerdale actor and his wife Liz are heading back to screens with their adored ITV show, Fletcher’s on the Farm – but they’re still reeling from a catastrophic fire on their estate.

The couple have welcomed the cameras back onto the farm for third series, and in upcoming scenes, Kelvin is seen proudly telling cameras he finally feels like a bona fide farmer. “This is my version of a happy life, we’ve found our purpose now,” he says.

Joining Kelvin in the fourth year of their family show is his wife Liz and their four children – Marnie, Milo and twins Mateusz and Maximus. “I’d even go as far to say the kids are farmers,” Liz says.

The family’s Peak District farm – nestled in Cheshire – is busier than ever, with the cameras joining just as lambing season is in full swing, and even the twins are lending a hand.

“It’s our fourth year lambing,” Kelvin says. “We’re well and truly in our groove. The lambs are flying out at the moment which is great. We’re not having to get involved at all. It’s exactly what you want.”

But there’s more than lambs joining the fold this season. For the first time, the Fletchers welcome a breeding bull to grow their herd – following the success of their prize cow, Cherry, who was crowned Supreme Champion at the Royal Cheshire Show.

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Kelvin and Liz on their family farm in Wincle, Cheshire(Image: Steve Morgan)

“We’ve never had a male come on the farm to serve before. I’m excited,” says Kelvin, “The cows were way more excited than him.” The bull’s arrival holds a deeper meaning for Kelvin.

He decided to name him Crowther in honour of his late best friend, Steven Crowther. “He’s named after my best mate who sadly passed away,” Kelvin says.

“Every time I look at Crowther, I think of my mate. Some of my best memories were with him by my side. If Crowther was going to be an animal, he’d be a bull.”

Kelvin even shared the touching tribute with his late friend’s parents. “I took a picture and sent it to his mum and dad. They were delighted,” Kelvin says.

However, amid the highs came a devastating low. During a rare family trip away, their farmhouse caught fire. “We took the whole family away and a few days in, we got a call saying the house was on fire,” Liz remembers.

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(Image: Steve Morgan)

“Our first reaction was ‘thank god we weren’t here.'” The fire tore through the roof of their beloved home they’d spent years restoring. To make matters worse – the extensive smoke damage has rendered the home inhabitable for the family.

“It was the stuff of nightmares,” Kelvin says, “Our neighbour called us. She was in a panic and the fire was roaring.” But their hands were tied. “The fire brigade was called. It was surreal. We were in another country, there was nothing we could do,” Kelvin remembers.

Still, the Fletchers take it all in stride as they walk through the charred remains of their belongings in Fletchers’ Family Farm. “We just have to clean up and tidy up,” Kelvin says with a smile. “One thing I love is a rebound,” Liz jokes, “My ironing board’s gone. Luckily, I never did any ironing.”