Former Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher and his wife Liz receive disappointing news on Fletcher’s Family Farm
08:01, 08 Feb 2026
(Image: ITV)
Kelvin Fletcher faced disappointing news in the most recent episode of Fletcher’s Family Farm, which makes its return to ITV screens this Sunday. Kelvin and wife Liz, who run their Cheshire farm, have been working to expand their business by moving into arable farming.
But after sending off their crop for testing to see if it was suitable for porridge-making, Kelvin was met with unwelcome results.
The voiceover revealed: “Of all the new ventures on the farm, our first foray into arable farming has been one of the most exciting,” adding, “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.”
With anticipation, Kelvin stated, “So now we’re off to the mill, the millers,” He went on: “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.
(Image: ITV)
The sample batch of oats Kelvin provided was then assessed to establish if it reached the quality required for human consumption or would be relegated to animal feed. Yet when Managing Director James began inspecting the oats, he observed, “This is not a promising start.”, reports the Manchester Evening News.
He continued: “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.”
Breaking the news to Kelvin, James explained: “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.”
(Image: ITV)
Despite the disappointing result, Kelvin told the camera he was maintaining a positive outlook about his harvest. He reflected: “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 actor later stated: “I don’t ever have any regrets.”
Elsewhere in the episode, Kelvin’s wife, Liz, was overcome with emotion when she learnt their beloved dog, Ginger, was expecting puppies. After vet Hugo performed an examination of Ginger’s abdomen, Liz exclaimed: “Hugo, I think that is the best news you’ve ever given me.
“Better than the cows?” he enquired, prompting Liz to respond: “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 synopsis for series four’s opening episode reveals: “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.”
