Kelvin Fletcher has apologised after he came under fire for a ‘stupid and abusive’ video of himself continuously poking his wife with a mini boxing glove back in December 2020.

The former Emmerdale and Strictly star, 38, shared the clips to his 489,000 followers on Instagram, and while some found it entertaining, others were left offended and shared exactly what they would do if they were his wife, Liz Fletcher.

In the video, Kelvin constantly jabs his wife with a mini boxing glove on a long stick, while they and their young daughter are shopping, walking and driving. He then also used the glove on his daughter.

Kelvin had written in the caption: ‘Christmas is a coming! Do we think it’s time to reinstate the glove? #prank.’

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Controversy: Kelvin Fletcher has apologised after he came under fire for a ‘stupid and abusive’ video of himself from 2020 poking his wife with a mini boxing glove while driving

After receiving backlash, Kevin took to his stories to apologise for the ‘prank’ saying: ‘Oh no that old video I put up of me poking Liz…with a little boxing glove.

‘Those that don’t know us. We find it imperative to a happy relationship that jokes, humour, not taking ourselves too seriously, pranks, whatever you like to call them is pretty important.

‘So that’s why it’s up there. ‘It’s upset a few. If you’re upset by it then, sorry. You’d better click that unfollow button.

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Prank gone wrong: The former Emmerdale and Strictly star, 38, shared the clips to his 489,000 followers on Instagram, and while some found it entertaining, others were left offended

‘Have a lovely day. Those that loved it, hey hey hey. Off to do some work.’

Kelvin’s followers were not so sure it looked like a good idea with one saying: ‘Normally like following you. Might be your idea of a joke but it’s not funny.’

Another added: ‘Sorry but whilst you and your family find this funny, others may find this acceptable and be mis-used.’

And a third added: ‘You find this funny, banter, harmless. I find it disrespectful, childish and dangerous to your loved one.

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Unhappy fans: In the video, Kelvin constantly jabs his wife with a mini boxing glove on a long stick, while they and their young daughter are shopping, walking and driving

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Prank: Kelvin wrote in a caption: ‘Christmas is a coming! Do we think it’s time to reinstate the glove? #prank’

‘She’s your life partner, not a means of entertainment for your followers, you have a platform to influence so many, just grow up.

‘I’m happy to be the Karen on this one.’

A fourth added: ‘How annoying. If you did that to me I’d slap you.’

Other criticised the star for doing it while his wife was driving with many agreeing: ‘Not while driving .. not the best idea. Eyes off the road for more than a moment or two.’

The pair have been married since 2015 after meeting years previously while they were both in high school.

Criticism: Kelvin’s followers were not so sure it looked like a good idea with one saying: ‘Normally like following you. Might be your idea of a joke but it’s not funny’

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Christmas jokes: Fans thought the prank was offensive, with another adding: ‘Sorry but whilst you and your family find this funny, others may find this acceptable and be mis-used.’

They share four children together, with their youngest, twin boys, being born earlier this year.

The couple welcomed Maximus Crowther and Mateusz Kelvin in May, and already share daughter Marnie and son Milo.

Liz told HELLO! magazine: ‘I woke up in the morning and my waters had broken.

‘I rang the hospital and they said to come in. Kelvin had to stay with the kids, so I drove myself to the hospital, which is an hour away, at 5am.

‘I was a bit panicky that Kelvin might miss the birth if it happened straight away. They did a scan and told me, “It’s going to be today.”‘

Recalling the moment they introduced the babies to their older siblings, she said: ‘Milo was like, “He’s heavy.” Marnie was kissing them. It was so cute.’

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Kids play: Kelvin also used the mini boxing glove on his daughter while the trio were out on a family trip running errands