Strictly winner and soap hunk lands second series of ITV farming show with his family
KELVIN FLETCHER will be back with a second series of the fly-on-the wall look at his family’s life on the farm.
The exploits of the actor and 2019 Strictly winner were followed in Fletchers’ Family Farm on ITV last year, after he decided to move to the countryside.
By coincidence, his farm in the Peak District is not that far from the setting of Emmerdale, where Kelvin’s career took off.
The soap star will soon start filming the sequel, with the finished product expected to air this winter.
A TV insider said: “This will be welcome news to the substantial following the show has quickly gained.
“It began with 676,000 watching, but after seven weeks the audience was nudging a million.
“Giving it a second series was a bit of a no- brainer for ITV.
“There’s something about seeing a family launch a fresh start that appeals to so many people — and there are plenty of laughs and shocking moments too.”
Kelvin moved to the 120-acre, 18th-century farm with wife Liz and the Fletcher brood after realising how much they valued their freedom following the Covid lockdowns of 2020.
The change in lifestyle was first chronicled in Kelvin’s Big Farming Adventure on BBC One in 2022, when the couple only had son Milo and daughter Marnie to look after.
As their story continues this year, they have added twins Maximus and Mateusz, making things that little bit trickier.
Whether on the dancefloor or the farmyard, Kelvin clearly loves a challenge.
SHE’S MADE IT IN NIC OF TIME
NICOLA COUGHLAN may have had to wait for her time in the spotlight, but she’s certainly shining now.
The Bridgerton actress, who returns as Penelope Featherington next month, is best known for playing teen roles thanks to her debut in Channel 4 comedy Derry Girls and the Netflix Regency-era hit.
But she’s caused a social media storm in recent weeks as fans discovered Nicola’s real age.
The 37-year-old told Teen Vogue: “It’s funny to me because I’ve never hidden my age.”
But her age almost meant that she wasn’t cast in Derry Girls back in 2018:
“They said I was too old, and I was in my late 20s. It is so sad it would be considered ‘too old.’”
Bridgerton’s third series airs from May 16.
A NEW eight-episode plastic surgery series is set to air from May 15 at 9pm on Really and discovery+.
The Face Doctors will follow patients undergoing surgery and cutting-edge treatment to rebuild their faces after emergency traumas, infections and genetic conditions.
NETFLIX FANCY A BAILEY’S
JONATHAN BAILEY is officially a Heartstopper.
The Bridgerton actor has joined the cast of Netflix’s rom-com series as hunky author Jack Maddox, the celeb crush of the show’s Charlie, played by Joe Locke.
Other new arrivals are Mission Impossible star Hayley Atwell as Diane, the aunt of Kit Connor‘s Nick and Back To Black actor Eddie Marsan, who plays therapist Geoff.
The third series, which will air in October, follows young couple Nick and Charlie as their summer together comes to an end, and the challenges of a new school year start.
A show source said: “Everyone must learn to lean on those they love when life doesn’t go to plan.”
MEL GIEDROYC is returning to host Have I Got News For You.
The comic – who fronts her own panel show, Unforgivable, on Dave – will sit in the host’s chair for the sixth time in the May 10 episode, which airs at 9pm on BBC One.
She will be joined by celebrity guests yet to be revealed.
KATH: I’LL SNOOP ON YOU
KATHERINE RYAN revealed her family secrets for docu-series Parental Guidance – but now she wants to snoop on other people’s lives.
The comedian and mum-of-three hopes to make a second series of her UKTV show but, this time, turn the spotlight away from her home.
Katherine told me: “Parental Guidance is probably coming back, it was a real success and people really loved it.
“We had to give a lot of ourselves to do that, it was super open doors, but it was a beautiful time capsule of our family.
“Now I’m really curious about marriage, like how is someone married for 20 years? How is someone navigating having multiple wives? An open relationship?
“Like, how do you be the best wife, how do I make this marriage last 60 years?
“So I really hope they let us do that.”
PETE HAS MOVED IN ON ZARA
HE was there to greet Sam Thompson with a hug when he won I’m A Celeb last year.
Now Pete Wicks might be taking things a step further – by moving in with the reality star and his girlfriend Zara McDermott.
Love Island contestant-turned-documentary maker Zara – who can currently be seen on BBC Three series Ibiza: Secrets Of The Party Island – told the Spooning With Mark Wogan podcast: “We’re a throuple without the intimacy.
“Sam wants him to move in with us and I would love it. The three of us have a very odd relationship, he’s literally like my brother and my best friend.
“I know it sounds a bit weird to be best friends with your boyfriend’s best friend, but I love them both in different ways.
“It’s like a strange, dysfunctional family.
“I never want Pete to get a girlfriend, he’s got enough on his plate with us.”
GABY FED UP WITH STUDIO
GABY LOGAN says she is sick of being in stuck in the studio for big sporting events.
The host revealed that she is now often sat in front of a green screen in the BBC’s Salford headquarters instead of jetting around the world to cover major competitions
Talking to comedians David Earl and Joe Wilkinson on the Chatabix podcast, she said: “The 2020 Olympics in Tokyo we did virtually in Salford, I was living in the Holiday Inn.
“People don’t register where you are, and they think you’re in the city you are supposed to be reporting from.
“It’s much better for the environment, but it’s being at the event that’s the best thing, and it’s why we all started the job in the first place.”