Former Emmerdale star Kelvin Fletcher has once again triggered a comeback campaign as he issued a three-word response to one of the ITV soap's latest storylines. Fans best know the actor for playing Andy Sugden in the Yorkshire-based show for 20 years.
He made his first on-screen appearance in the Dales in 1996 as the adoptive son of Jack Sugden and Sarah Sugden. Kelvin remained in the role for two decades before leaving in 2016. And while it's been seven years since Andy fled the village, viewers haven't forgotten him.
And it appears Kelvin hasn't forgotten about his soap past either as he got involved in the reaction to the soap's latest drama for Moira and Cain Dingle. The couple are completely unaware that Cain's half-brother Caleb, who arrived in the village in December, is hellbent on bringing Kim Tate down and getting his hands on Home Farm.
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He believes it's his birthright after it was revealed that Kim's late husband Frank Tate is his father. But to help get his hands on what he wants, Caleb is willing to fleece Cain and Moira by getting them to sell Butler's Farm.
Earlier this week, Caleb walked into Cain and Moira's home just as they were discussing work and money. Caleb appeared as if from nowhere and stood behind them as Moira quizzed her husband on why he wasn't at the garage, claiming a job had been cancelled, as she stacked up their bills on the table, which caught the eyes of Caleb.
When addressing his next move with his son Nicky, who is currently pretending to be in love with Gabby Thomas after landing a job as Home Farm's nanny, Caleb said of his half-brother and sister-in-law: "I saw Cain and Moira before. Sounds like they’re a bit skint. Getting them to sell that land is going to be easier than I thought," as his son quizzed him if he'd be ok with "exploiting the bad luck".
"It’s only until I’ve knocked Kim off her perch. I’ll see them right in the end. In the meantime, I’ll be back in favour at Home Farm. Getting close enough to smell the money, aren’t we?" Caleb promised but Nicky didn't look too sure.
But he got underway with his plan and on Wednesday night (May 17), Emmerdale viewers discovered the lengths he went to when one of Moira's biggest clients arrived to confront her, presenting a pack of burgers that had screws embedded in the beef. Moira was horrified, and Nate offered an explanation that the machine used to cut the meat must have loosened.
But the client was unimpressed and threatened to take his business elsewhere. Moira eventually managed to convince him to give them another chance. However, she later received a phone call telling her to expect a visit from health and safety, as an anonymous someone, likely Caleb, had reported her over the foreign objects found in her produce.
Her client also got a call from health and safety, so he went back on their agreement and Moira was distraught. Looking out over the fields with Cain, Moira conceded that although the land meant a great deal to her, and her late daughter Holly Barton was buried there, she had no choice but to sell up.
Posting a clip of Moir's emotional moment to Instagram, Emmerdale wrote on its official account: "When things go from bad to worse!" But it was Kelvin who swept in with a three-word comment that quickly caught the attention of fans.
"I’ll buy it," he typed before Emmerdale viewers sent their pleas for Kelvin to return to the soap. @jjmorton1 said: "Yes please. I'm sure everyone would love to see you back." @annie_meesey wrote: "Wouldn’t that be brilliant!!! What a twist in the tale!!" @ladyrussellini added: "Please come back!"
And it's not like Kelvin hasn't got the experience both in soapland and in real life. After realising a dream by setting up his very own farm with wife Liz Marsland and their children, Strictly Come Dancing winner Kelvin is now a real-life Andy Sugden. With their then two children Marnie, six, and Milo, four, the couple relocated to the Peak District, where they purchased a 120-acre farm on the edge of the Peak District National Park.
He might have won winning Best Actor and Best Dramatic Performance at the British Soap Awards playing farmer Andy in the Yorkshire-set ITV soap from 1996 until his exit in 2016, but neither Kelvin nor his wife, who have since welomed twins to their brood, had previous farming experience. Last year their own BBC One documentary series Kelvin's Big Farming Adventure saw their journey to restoring the farmland back to its former glory and running it themselves.
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