Emmerdale star Kelvin Fletcher reveals secret crush on Dales co-star

Former Emmerdale star Kelvin Fletcher has revealed that he used to have a crush on co-star Claire King.

Speaking on his Off Script podcast, which he co-hosts with wife Liz, Kelvin shared his secret and described Claire as ‘iconic.’

The ‘Off Script… Coronation Street & Emmerdale’ podcast sees the pair joined by special guests from the two shows as they share their opinion and insider secrets.
Kelvin admitted having a crush on Claire King (Credit: ITV)

Kelvin Fletcher shares past crush

While discussing recent Emmerdale scenes between Kim and Joe Tate, Kelvin confessed that he used to have a crush on Claire King, who plays Kim.

“I think we’ve got to give a special mention as well to Claire King, of course, who plays Kim Tate,” he said.

“So she started Emmerdale in 1989. I remember when I started in Emmerdale, I started in 1996, and quite a few characters become soap legends.

“I think Kim Tate is iconic. You think of Emmerdale, and as regards as an actress, having worked with her myself. She’s just a fantastic team member.

“Looks amazing on camera. I used to have the biggest crush on her,” he added, to which his wife joked: “Hey Kim, watch it!”

Kelvin then spoke about the admiration he has for Claire: “Everyone adores her because she works so hard, she cares so much for the show and the audience love her as well. She’s just a brilliant character!”

The couple host the Off Script podcast (Credit: ITV)

Kelvin Fletcher’s life away from Emmerdale

Kelvin played Andy Sugden on Emmerdale for 20 years, departing in 2016.

In 2019, despite not being in the original line up, Kelvin won Strictly Come Dancing while partnered with Oti Mabuse.

After marrying wife Liz in 2015, the couple went on to have 4 children. They’re clearly a fan of the letter M, with all 4 starting with that letter – Marnie, Milo and twin boys Maximus and Mateusz.

In 2021, the couple bought a plot of land and went on to film Kelvin’s Big Farming Adventure for BBC. Following the success of that show, they soon got a new series, titled Fletchers’ Family Farm on ITV. The popular show has recently been commissioned for a third series.

Kelvin hasn’t completely turned his back on acting, though. Since leaving Emmerdale he has appeared in episodes of Death in Paradise, The Teacher, Moving On and Father Brown.