Emmerdale star Kelvin Fletcher responds to major show shake-up – and fans have one demand
Former Emmerdale star Kelvin Fletcher has responded to a new show shake-up on Butler’s Farm – though fans have one big demand from him. The actor famously played Andy Sugden on the soap for 20 years before departing a decade ago.
Earlier this week, it was confirmed that the iconic farm would be taken over by Andy’s adoptive brother Robert Sugden and Aaron Dingle after Moira signed it over to the Tates.
In his new role, Robert is “determined to restore the farm to its former glory” and rename it Emmerdale Farm, putting a Sugden in charge for the first time in years.
Reacting to the new storyline on an Emmerdale Instagram announcement, Kelvin said: “Love this.”
While he is a fan of the turn of events, many viewers responded to him by calling for Andy to make a comeback to the village.
“Now you come back,” one wrote, another suggesting in reference to Kelvin’s real-life farming gig: “Come back and do two farm jobs.”
“Come and sort your brother out,” a third joked, while a fourth said: “Now they need professional advice.”
While he hasn’t responded directly to these calls, Kelvin explained back in January why he doesn’t plan to return to the soap anytime soon.
“Emmerdale was 20 happy years but there’s not a day goes by I’d ever really think about it, really,” he told James Martin’s Saturday Morning. “It’s a past chapter and I’ve very much moved on now.”
He further joked about the irony of now being a farmer after playing one on-screen, and that if he did come back he would have to have a tan after Andy moved to Spain.
Meanwhile, Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw recently said of the new Butler’s story: “This return to the farm’s roots is a powerful moment, echoing the early drama that unfolded when Annie Sugden and her sons, Jack and Joe, farmed the land.
“Taking over the tenancy, grandson Robert wants to do his best and make his dad proud. With his loyal partner Aaron, they are ready for this new chapter and committed to making the farm thrive.”