Kelvin Fletcher’s Big Farm Adventure viewers are all saying the same thing as Emmerdale star launches new career
KELVIN Fletcher Big Farm Adventure viewers were convinced that the Emmerdale star's new show is a "rip off" of Clarkson's Farm.
BBC One viewers watched as the actor, 38, and his family adjusted to their new life in the country.
The Strictly Come Dancing champion swapped urban life to start farming in the countryside in 2020 - but was faced with a number of problems including missing pet rabbits, sheep escaping and wife Liz who is highly allergic to horses.
The soap star, who played Andy Dingle from 1996 to 2016, moved there with his wife and their two young children Marnie and Milo last year.
However, viewers were hit with a deja-vu moment and suggested that Kelvin's new show was very similar to Jeremy Clarkson's Amazon Prime hit series.
One wrote: "How much does Kelvin Fletcher want to copy @JeremyClarkson with his new farm."
Another posted: "People saying the BBC make quality programming. On BBC1 right now is a @PrimeVideo Jeremy Clarkson The Farm rip off with Kelvin Fletcher."
A third commented: "Kelvin Fletcher as the new Jeremy Clarkson is not something I expected to see."
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"So basically Kelvin Fletcher is trying to jump on the Clarkson's Farm bandwagon. Unoriginal and dull," another added.
For a first-time farmer, Kelvin set about learning basic farming skills as he prepared to buy his livestock.
Luckily his neighbour Gilly was on hand to help, despite being baffled that the actor had made such a life-changing move with zero farming experience.
However, not all fans were disappointed with the new series and were thrilled to discover that the soap star had become a farmer in real life - after years of playing one on Emmerdale.
One wrote: "Quite enjoyed this tonight, be interesting to see how it goes. Pretty soon you'll have a shop like Jeremy Clarkson."
Another posted: "Watching this has made me laugh. Wishing you and your family all the best in your new farming life. Can't wait for the next episode."
The family moved from their home in Oldham to the farm on the edge of the Peak District National Park.
Their 120-acre farm has an 18th-Century cottage, outbuildings, 20 sheep, three pigs and three alpacas.
In an interview with the , Kelvin said it was a "big step", but they were ready to "embrace something new".
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He added: "Often life is a case of always being on to the next thing, and I guess lockdown was a real pause when you couldn't help but be present and reflect.
"Sometimes I do wonder whether we've taken on too much.
"But I can't imagine us not doing this now. It's ignited something inside me, and I love it."
Announcing the show, Kelvin told his Instagram followers: “So happy to finally announce this!" he told fans earlier this month on Instagram.
"If you’ve been sat there wondering what these random farming and outdoor pictures are all about well now you know!
"We have literally jumped in at the deep end and bought a farm!
"A reluctant Wife, 2 crazy kids and a Husband with knowledge of farming you could write on the back of a stamp! What could possibly go wrong?!"
DOUBLE TROUBLE
Kelvin's new show comes after he and wife Liz announced the news that they are expecting twins.
The couple shared the news on BBC Breakfast today - revealing they would soon be a family of six, with Kelvin joking: "We don't do things by halves."
Kelvin has known Liz since he was nine years old, and they tied the knot in November of 2015.
They appeared on the show today to talk about Kelvin Fletcher's Big Farm Adventure and presenter Sally Nugent started the interview saying: "You were already quite busy, weren’t you, before you took on a farm, with two young children. And you have news to share with us this morning, which is…"
Liz replied: "We’re having another two more children!"
She joked that Kelvin still looked shocked by the news as he explained: "We just recently found out, to add another curveball if you like. We don't really do things by halves and then we found out we're having not just one baby, but two!
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"So we're having twins. It was an absolute eye-opener. So come May, we'll be delivering lambs for the first time. I'm not going to be delivering babies as such but it is going to be a really busy time!"
The show will run for six episodes, all at the above time, and on Monday nights.
