Strictly Come Dancing's Kelvin Fletcher reveals why he quit Emmerdale after 20 years playing Andy Sugden
A lot of rumours have been flying around, people even thought that the reason behind Kelvin's decision was because he wanted to pursue his life-long dream of becoming a rally driver.
Turns out that this wasn't the case at all.
Kelvin tweeted: "Leaving Emmerdale to become a rally driver? First I've heard!
"Although I do know one thing; There's some big surprises coming."
During an appearance on This Morning, Kelvin revealed that making the decision to leave Emmerdale was one of the hardest decisions he's ever made:
“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.”
Check out: 13 things you didn't know about Emmerdale
Things you didn't know about Emmerdale
1 of 13Emmerdale facts
The sleepy Yorkshire village where Emmerdale is set was originally called Beckindale, but it changed it's name to Emmerdale (after the Emmerdale Farm) in 1994 after the dramatic plane crash in the village...
2 of 13Emmerdale facts
The plane crash remains one of Emmerdale's most dramatic storyline, and the episode still holds the record for the show's highest ever viewing figures, at 18.6 MILLION viewers.
3 of 13Emmerdale facts
In fact, the storyline was so prolific that it formed part of the first ever soapland crossovers, featuring on the front page of a newspaper in another 90s soap, Brookside.
4 of 13Emmerdale facts
It's the second longest running UK soap, with it's first episode airing way back on 16th of October, 1972 – just 12 years after the record holder longest running soap, Coronation Street.
5 of 13Emmerdale facts
But despite it's impressive legacy, it wasn't until 2016 that Emmerdale one the prestigious Best Soap award at the National Television Awards. The second time was this year, in 2019.
6 of 13Emmerdale facts
Shortly after it began broadcasting on British TV, Emmerdale found another home – on Swedish channel, TV2. Since 1994 it's been hosted by commercial channel TV4, and is the most watched non-news daytime TV show in Sweden.
7 of 13Emmerdale facts
The cast drink real beer when they're socialising at the village pub, The Woolpack, with around 20 gallons of the stuff being delivered to the set every week.
8 of 13Emmerdale facts
Way before their big NTA's win in 2016, Edna Birch's beloved pooch Batley was the first animal ever to win a British Soap Award, taking home "best exit" in 2002.
9 of 13Emmerdale facts
There's a real functioning National Lottery machine at the Windsor Post post office. If you ever find yourself on the official Emmerdale tour, why not try your luck?
10 of 13Emmerdale facts
Bonafide local (kind of) Mel B appeared on the soap in bit roles three times before she hit the big time with the Spice Girls as Scary Spice – once in 1993, and twice in 1994...
11 of 13Emmerdale facts
... and her sister, Danielle Brown, played an actual title character in 1998 – Paulette Lewis, arch nemesis of fellow teen Emma Cairns.
12 of 13Emmerdale facts
For the December 2006 episode Who Killed Tom King, producers filmed SIX different endings – proving they take protecting plotlines from leaking very seriously.
13 of 13Emmerdale facts
There was set to be a sensational soap cross over AFFAIRbetween an Emmerdale and Corrie cast member – but it was scrapped by bosses (boo)."Someone pitched the idea that we discover one of our characters is having an affair," Emmerdale's producer at the time Iain MacLeod."Then one day we follow them over the Pennines and they let themselves into a house on Coronation Street and we realise they're leading a double life with Gail or somebody over the hills."
Kelvin also insisted that there was no bad blood with the soap: “Twenty years is a long time. It’s been an incredible twenty years. I am so grateful to Emmerdale. Throughout that period I have always had a real sense of fulfilment and purpose.
“What started out as a hobby at six years old – I was then able to do something like that every day on a professional platform on one of the country’s greatest shows. I have been extremely lucky.
“Looking back over 20 years it has been a rollercoaster and for me it’s give me passion to leave and continue.”
You can watch the FULL interview here:
Awwwww. We’ll definitely miss him, will you?
Read more
Emmerdale’s Kelvin Fletcher: ‘My little brother’s starring in Coronation Street!’
Emmerdale star SACKED after 'threatening to kill' Hollyoaks' Jamie Lomas
Emmerdale's Mark Jordon breaks silence following OAP 'attack'
Kelvin’s last Emmerdale scenes have finally been aired to viewers. We all watched as Andy Sugden went on the run after being framed for the attempted murder of Lawrence White – the dad of his girlfriend Chrissie White.
His final scenes were pretty emotional, as he finally put his issues with his brother Robert aside for good.
However, Kelvin was quick to reiterate that Andy COULD return, as his characters wasn't killed off. Hey, anything can happen in soapland!
This article first appeared on Closer on 17 August 2016.