When Andy gives up the battle for his daughter we know there is something very wrong. Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher reveals all... What’s wrong with Andy? “Andy isn’t well. He’s heading for a major breakdown, which is why he’s been acting so bizarrely. It started to spiral out of control for him when Cain turned up. Until then he was sure he’d keep Sarah. But discovering social services have a statement from Jo confirming his violence pushes him over the edge.” Andy had earlier lied to the authorities about the way he treated Jo. Not his smartest move… “Even then Andy was beginning to unravel or he would have known he’d be caught out. Obviously it doesn’t look good, so Andy decides to do a runner to Spain with Sarah...” But Debbie catches him loading the car and Andy locks Debbie, himself and Sarah in the farmhouse doesn’t he? “It’s a desperate move. Debbie realises he was planning to run away with Sarah so it’s another black mark against him.” Debbie secretly calls Cain. Next thing Cain’s smashing his way in, and telling Andy he’s lost his daughter for ever! How does Andy feel? “He’s a broken man.” So broken that at the court hearing the next day he pulls out of the custody battle. Why? “Andy’s a complete mess. Debbie makes a plea to the judges saying she’s ready to be a real mother to Sarah. Her words trigger some switch in Andy, who drops out of the process and Debbie wins custody of Sarah.” After the hearing, Andy withdraws into himself. He ignores Sarah when he sees her in the village and is seen working in the barn in just his boxers! “He can’t cope with what’s happened. It’s not just the situation with Sarah. The roots go way back – to when he went to jail over the death of his mum Sarah. It triggered his violence with Jo, his marriage broke down – then he lost Jack...” Just how bad is it going to get? “Very bad. Eventually his family do manage to reach him and he’s diagnosed with severe clinical depression. He desperately needs help.” Once he gets it, will the old Andy – the nice, caring one – start to re-emerge? “That looks like the way it’s going to go.”
