Former Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher has revealed details about why he left the show after 20 years of playing Andy Sugden.
Kelvin Fletcher played Emmerdale's Andy Sugden for more than two decades before he made the dramatic decision to leave the soap in 2016. But what were the reasons behind his departure?
The actor has revealed to The Bolton News that despite being full of praise for the show, he was keen to try his hand at something different.
"The storylines on Emmerdale were great, the show was great, and the morale around the place was great, but I found myself in this weird position," he told the paper.
"They had given me this sense of belief and sense of confidence, and I felt that artistically, I was really coming into my own.
"Having played the same character for 20 years I had a real appetite to do other things, play different characters, and work in different areas.
"I just wanted to try things which you've not really got the opportunity to do when you're in Emmerdale, as your commitment is so full-on. I made the decision to leave when I was probably the happiest I'd ever been at Emmerdale"
While soap fans would love nothing more than to see Kelvin back on their screens in Emmerdale, it looks like they could have a bit of a wait on their hands.
Kelvin is currently starring as the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz at Blackpool Opera House over the festive break, and after confessing that he's always wanted to try his hand at being in a musical it looks like the actor is in his element.
"The Wizard of Oz is my first musical role as an adult and I feel like I have got a bit of a taste for it again. Who knows where it might lead!"
Picture credits: Main image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock
