Kelvin Fletcher tried to remain optimistic after he received some bad news on Fletcher’s Family Farm.
Abbie Bray Deputy Editor for Screen Time
08:00, 06 Feb 2026
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Kelvin Fletcher was dealt some disheartening news in the latest instalment of Fletcher’s Family Farm, which returns to television on Sunday. Kelvin and his wife, Liz, who operate a farm in Cheshire, have been attempting to diversify their enterprise by venturing into arable farming. However, when Kelvin submitted the crop for testing to determine its suitability for porridge production, he received unwelcome news.
“Of all the new ventures on the farm, our first foray into arable farming has been one of the most exciting,” the voiceover explained. “In the past. This farm did produce a number of crops, but for the last 20 years, nothing has grown here until now. Today, we find out if the hard graft has paid off.
“So now we’re off to the mill, the millers,” Kelvin said excitedly. He continued, “There’s a lot riding on this in the sense that we were bold enough to do it in the first place, and then kind of even braver to think that we could get some porridge oats. It is a little nerve-racking as to what the outcome of today is, but it goes without saying, this is just the beginning of our arable journey. Regardless of the result, we will not be deterred,” reports the Mirror.
Kelvin’s sample batch of oats was subsequently examined to determine whether it met the standard for human consumption or was destined for animal feed. However, when Managing Director James started examining the oats, he remarked, “This is not a promising start.”
Kelvin and Liz Fletcher with their children(Image: ITV)
He went on, “They look well, but they haven’t absorbed enough moisture in order to swell, so the inside of the grain hasn’t swollen up to make a really meaty groat for porridge. So it was a really long, hot, dry summer, wasn’t it? So, unfortunately, at the right part of that growing cycle, you just wouldn’t have had enough rain up on the field.”
Delivering the verdict to Kelvin, James said, “So unfortunately, it’s not going to make the grade for porridge. But it’s not all lost, because there’s still nutritional value in here.”
Despite the disheartening outcome, Kelvin shared with the camera that he remained upbeat about his crop’s prospects. He said, “You know what I feel? I still feel quite optimistic, you know, a little bit disappointed that we didn’t quite make the grade, but now I’ve got an understanding of what it takes to make the grade, and what it actually means to not make the grade. We still grew a great crop. I just didn’t quite have the umph.”
The former soap star later added, “I don’t ever have any regrets.”
Kelvin remained optimistic despite the bad news(Image: ITV)
Meanwhile, in the episode, Kelvin’s wife, Liz, became emotional upon discovering their pet dog, Ginger, was carrying a litter of puppies. Following a consultation with vet Hugo, who examined Ginger’s abdomen, Liz remarked, “Hugo, I think that is the best news you’ve ever given me.
“Better than the cows?” he asked, to which Liz replied: “Well, it is a close one, but she is just our baby. Oh my god, you are having pups. Very happy that it is good news.”
The summary for the first episode of series four discloses: “Liz and Kelvin Fletcher plan to double their flock and herd size, enlisting local farmhand Josh to assist with the livestock management.
“Meanwhile, Marnie meets her new Jacobs as she devises her own plans for the upcoming farming year, the boys take a break from farming to exchange tractors for motorbikes, and the family finally receives approval to commence the farmhouse reconstruction.”
Fletcher’s Family Farm makes its return to ITV on Sunday at 11.30am.
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