Long-serving ‘Emmerdale’ cast member Kelvin Fletcher is planning to leave the soap later this year, it has been reported.
Kelvin has played Andy Sugden for the past 20 years, first joining when he was just 12 years old, but will be bowing out in just a matter of weeks, according to The Sun.
An insider tells the newspaper: “Kelvin is a soap legend and will be sorely missed by ‘Emmerdale’ and viewers. Bosses have managed to keep him leaving top secret but now the cat is out of the bag.”
The newspaper have claimed that Kelvin has already filmed his final scenes, and will be using his time to focus on his prospering racing career.
Earlier this year, he signed to BTCC team Power Maxed Racing, saying at the time: “I’m a massive motorsport fan and have been watching the BTCC for as long as I can remember, it has been a lifelong dream to race against my childhood heroes and it is about to become a reality thanks to Power Maxed Racing and the University of Bolton.”
The Sun’s source continues: “Producers have given him a big, dramatic exit. It’s going to be the perfect way to see off Andy.
An ‘Emmerdale’ spokesperson declined to comment when contacted by HuffPost UK.
Kelvin’s character is currently embroiled in a storyline that has seen Chrissie White attempting to frame him for the attempted murder of her father, which has prompted speculation among fans that the character could be falsely imprisoned for the crime.
Tap the image below to launch the slideshow...