Inside Kelvin Fletcher's marriage - from early split to happy life running farm

14 October 2023 , 08:00

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Kelvin and Liz have swapped acting for farming in their new family series (Image: Steve Morgan)

Emmerdale star Kelvin Fletcher has swapped fame for farm life after his family made the big decision to take on a 120-acre holding on the edge of the Peak District two years ago. And now, Kelvin, 39, and his actress wife, Liz Marsland, are sharing their drastic lifestyle change with fans on their new series, Fletcher's Family Farm, which airs on ITV on Sunday, October 15.

The couple who have 100 sheep, 30 pigs, 10 horses, six chickens, a cat and Ginger the dog - plus their brood of four all under the age of seven - say it's been a 'rollercoaster ride'. When their show was announced in August, Kelvin and Liz said: "Navigating farming life with four small kids is certainly a challenge but one full of laughter and unforgettable memories."

Kelvin admitted that Liz was 'too jealous' to watch him kiss other women on Emmerdale back in the day (Instagram)

Kelvin and Liz first met when they were eight years old, but officially got together much later in life when they reunited in 2009. Six years later, they tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony at London's One Mayfair. At the time, Kelvin told HELLO! Magazine: "I knew I wanted to marry Liz the day I met her. Deep down I knew she was 'the one.'"

During their 14-year romance, the couple have the couple have had ups and downs but appear happier than ever now, as they embark on a whole new chapter learning how to run a farm with their young family.

After taking on the world of farming, it's unlikely Kelvin will be met with many keen fans day to day, or have to kiss any of his colleagues - both of which reportedly caused feuds between the couple at the start of their relationship. In 2010, Kelvin was dumped by Liz after he was bombarded with explicit messages and photos from fans.

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According to The Sun, a pal explained at the time: "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." While they later got back together, Kelvin admitted she found it hard watching him kissing co-stars on Emmerdale.

"I do ring her up and say, 'I'm kissing so-and-so today' and make a joke about it," he told the publication. "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." He added that he understood why Liz would have 'reservations' about him meeting loved-up fans, but that she had got 'used to it' and it was 'fine'.

Fletcher's Family Farm airs on ITV1 on Sunday 15th October 2023 - 11.30am

Nia Dalton