Former Emmerdale star Kelvin Fletcher has opened up about recent struggles to land roles.

The actor famously played Andy Sugden in the ITV soap for two decades, before stepping down in 2016 and then winning Strictly Come Dancing in 2019.

However, in a recent Instagram Live, Kelvin opened up about the realities of acting rejections, telling his followers (via OK!): “A friend of mine, an actress, just messaged me and said, ‘I can’t even get a f***ing self-tape.’

“So I know how frustrating those little selfies are, because I’ve been that person thinking, ‘Even they are working now.’ Let me tell you, I’ve had about 10 nos in these last few months.”

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He went on to offer advice after recently landing a new TV role, noting: “So, keep the faith. Patience is key, as I always say. It’s only a little gig, so don’t be getting too bothered.

“For all those out there who, like me, are sick of hearing the nos, I’m sure I’m going to get a lot more nos after this one. But I’m enjoying this while it is. Thus, the obligatory trailer selfie. It’s obviously pissed off quite a few people – enjoy!”

As well as appearing in Death in Paradise earlier this year, Kelvin is also due to star with Sheridan Smith in Channel 5 thriller Teacher.

The actor famously won the Strictly Come Dancing Glitterball Trophy with dance partner Oti Mabuse two years ago, having only entered the series as a last-minute replacement for Jamie Laing.

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However, last year he revealed he previously auditioned for the show three times before finally getting the call.

“I actually auditioned for Strictly three times and yeah, for whatever reasons they didn’t feel I kind of fit for what they wanted that year and that was fine,” he told Loose Women. “That’s part and parcel of it and as an actor, you’re very much used to rejection but I always change it to redirection.

“I was redirecting an awful lot and, like I said, three times with Strictly and then I got the call completely out of the blue saying that somebody had unfortunately been the victim of an injury and there was a place there if I wanted it. For me, it’s the best show on TV and I wanted to be a part of it.”