Inside Emmerdale's Kelvin Fletcher's split from wife who banned herself from watching soap

Kelvin Fletcher will open up about his life as a sheep farmer in a new Channel 4 series with his wife Liz Marsland - and the couple have had their fair share of ups and downs

Kelvin Fletcher, famed for his portrayal of Andy Sugden in ITV's Emmerdale, swapped the Dales for a 120-acre sheep farm on the fringes of the Peak District two years ago.

The former Emmerdale star, 39, now enjoys a radically different way of life with his wife Liz Marsland, and fans will soon get a glimpse into their world, complete with 100 sheep, 30 pigs, 10 horses, six chickens, a cat and Ginger the dog - not to mention their four children who are all under seven.

Their bucolic escapade will be chronicled in their forthcoming series, Fletcher's Family Farm. The couple described the dramatic shift in their environment as a 'rollercoaster ride'.

"Navigating farming life with four small kids is certainly a challenge but one full of laughter and unforgettable memories," Kelvin and his actress wife Liz announced when their new show was first unveiled in August this year.

Kelvin first encountered his wife Liz, 40, when they were merely eight years old, but they officially became a couple later in life after reuniting in 2009.

They subsequently said their vows six years later in a lavish ceremony at London's One Mayfair. "I knew I wanted to marry Liz the day I met her. Deep down I knew she was 'the one," Kelvin admitted to Hello! Magazine at the time.

Kelvin and his wife are relishing their farmland bliss with their kids and an assortment of animals, 14 years after saying "I do." They've found serenity in the lush quiet of the countryside, a welcome change from the earlier days when the former Emmerdale star's career stirred turmoil, particularly due to the spotlight and his on-screen romantic roles.

Back in 2010, Kelvin was thrown into single life when he was bombarded by fans' risque texts and images, leading to a split. A close source spilled the beans to The Sun: "Liz has always been jealous of the attention Kelvin receives. He is always getting stopped by girls wanting his autograph when he's on nights out. Kelvin assures her nothing goes on but over the years it has worn her down and she decided that she just couldn't continue seeing him."

Post-split, the pair resolved their differences and reunited, though Kelvin concedes his televised smooches were hard for her. Sharing with the same outlet, he said, "I do ring her up and say, 'I'm kissing so-and-so today' and make a joke about it," adding, "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."

The accountant admitted he could see why his partner might be bothered by his interactions with eager fans, but Liz had made peace with it, and it was no longer a bone of contention in their relationship.

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