It was only a month ago that Kelvin Fletcher was marking his 20th anniversary on hit soap opera Emmerdale.
However, it has now emerged the actor is apparently quitting the role of Andy Sugden to become a rally driver.
The 32-year-old, whose wife Liz Marsland is expecting their first child any day now, has already filmed his last scenes, according to The Sun.
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End of an era: Actor Kelvin Fletcher is leaving Emmerdale after 20 years on the soap opera
Viewers of the soap are currently watching his character Andy on trial for the attempted murder of Lawrence White (John Bowe) after being framed by his lover Chrissie (Louise Marwood)
A source told The Sun: ‘Bosses have managed to keep him leaving top secret but now the cat is out of the bag.
‘Producers have given him a big, dramatic exit. It’s going to be the perfect way to see off Andy.
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Troubled: Young Andy set a barn alight in an insurance scam to save Emmerdale Farm from financial ruin, unaware his adoptive mother Sarah was inside, who was subsequently killed
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Petrolhead: Kelvin, who raced at the Goodwood Festival Of Speed five weeks ago, is planning to become a full-time rally driver
‘Show chiefs aren’t necessarily saying it’s for good and they are leaving the door open. But for now this is the last people will see of Andy for the foreseeable future.’
A spokesperson for Emmerdale declined to comment when contacted by MailOnline.
Father-to-be Kelvin is planning to be a rally driver full-time having raced competitively for four years.
Kelvin has grown up in front of the nation after being cast as troubled foster child Andy in 1996.
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Is Andy going down? The character is currently on trial for the attempted murder of Lawrence White after being framed
The young boy was fostered by Jack (Clive Hornby) and Sarah Sugden (Alyson Spiro) and soon settled into life in the village.
One of his first big storylines was setting a barn alight in an insurance scam to save Emmerdale Farm from financial ruin, unaware his adoptive mother Sarah was inside, who was subsequently killed in the fire.
Andy went on to marry Katie as a teenager, but their marriage failed after she had an affair with his adoptive brother Robert.
In his fury, Andy attempts to shoot Robert, but ended up hitting his father Jack instead.
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Next big role: Andy’s wife Liz Marsland is heavily pregnant with the couple’s first child, due this month
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Baby-faced: Kelvin – pictured as Andy with the Sugden family in 2000 – is a stalwart of the Emmerdale cast
Andy and Robert’s rift comes back to haunt them years later when the former re-marries Katie in December 2014.
Their marriage does not long when Katie ended up falling to her death following a row with Robert.
In 2008, Andy eventually received justice for his part in the fire and Sarah’s death and is sentenced to time in prison.
He weds Jo Stiles (Roxanne Pallett) while in prison, but their marriage doesn’t last long after he started physically abusing her following his release from prison.
Andy is now father to Sarah and Jack Jnr with Debbie Dingle (Charley Webb) after a very complicated on/off relationship.
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Love triangle: Andy and his adoptive brother Robert (Karl Davies) both fell in love with Katie Addyman (Sammy Winward)
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Jailbird: Andy married Jo Stiles (Roxanne Pallett) in prison when he was serving time for setting fire to the barn
