Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher reveals concerns about his children handling difficult calves at the Royal Cheshire Show

Former Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher has expressed apprehension about his children taking part in the forthcoming Royal Cheshire Show. His worries stem from handling a calf which he describes as rather challenging to manage.

The star, who moved to a Cheshire farm, discussed his anxieties during an episode of his reality television programme documenting his family’s agricultural adventure.

During the episode, he explains: “We’re kind of up against it really, especially if the kids are going to be in the show ring themselves in the young handler section.”

This marks the second occasion Kelvin and his wife Liz have exhibited one of their bull calves. When the pair initially settled on their farm, they presented their livestock merely six weeks following their arrival.

However, addressing his concerns, he continued: “We don’t want them pulling the kids around. When it’s the kids, it does make me a little bit nervous. You’ve got a responsibility as an adult, as a parent, to work out how much you push them out of their comfort zone,” reports the Mirror.

Yet his farming life has encountered difficulties after sustaining a shoulder injury, which suggests he may be unable to take charge during the show, leaving the responsibility to his wife.

In one section of the episode, viewers witness him stating: “A scan has shown that I’ve torn my bicep. So not only do we have to train the calves, I need to find a potential understudy.”

The camera then shifts to his wife, who is seen standing by one of their pens. She turns to him and asks: “Are you feeling confident?”.

In response, he admits: “Well, my arm’s still killing me. My arm is really sore, and I’m just thinking whether or not it’s best for you to take him (cow) in. You’ll be fine. Let’s just see, but on standby. How do you feel about that?”.

Addressing the camera, Liz confesses: “Well, not great. It’s when you’re in that ring with the other cows, its the distraction of the other cows. Where I thought I was going to be having a lovely day at the Cheshire show with the kids, no pressure, no worries.

“I’m now told I’m going to have to step it up and potentially be the one that’s in the ring with the cows because of Kelvin’s injury. I feel underprepared more than last year.”

Apart from Kelvin’s incapacitating injury, the family faces additional challenges as the hot weather severely affects their oat crop.

The actor reveals: “It’s not been great news for farmers. The hot weather is not only affecting our crop of oats, it’s too hot for our flock of sheep as well.

“I’m thinking of putting the sheep in this paddock next door, there’s just no shelter or any shade, and I’ve just had a look at the forecast for the next couple of days, and it looks like it’s going to be sweltering.”

During the Royal Cheshire Farm show, Kelvin’s anticipation of showcasing his calf was quickly dashed when other farmers observed that the calf seemed to be having difficulty breathing.

In a state of shock, he addressed the camera, stating: “A few observations have said he doesn’t quite look alright. He doesn’t look very settled and the way he’s breathing. He’s breathing from his back as opposed to his ribs. They said he might have a touch of pneumonia, so obviously that doesn’t sound great.”