EMMERDALE star Kelvin Fletcher ha shit back after fans accused him of “ripping off” Jeremy Clarkson’s Farm with his new TV show.
The soap star swapped urban life to start farming in the countryside in 2020, and had BBC cameras follow him during his farming journey.
However, viewers were hit with a deja-vu moment and suggested that Kelvin’s new show was very similar to Jeremy’s Amazon Prime hit series.
The actor has now defended his show against criticism, insisting it is “different” to the hit show made by former Top Gear host Jeremy, 61.
Speaking on Netmums podcast Sweat, Snot & Tears, Kelvin, 38, explained they had already started filming when the successful Amazon series debuted.
“It’s a bit unfair, I think,” he said of the comparison. “There’s a whole host of that type of show – I can think of half a dozen straight away.
“So to be compared exclusively to Clarkson I think is a little random. As people can see, it’s a completely different show.”
Kelvin further explained of their filming schedule: “We were already three months into production when Clarkson’s came out.
“So to suggest that we’ve, and we did get a lot of suggestions, that we just ripped it off or copycatted it – don’t forget there’s probably a three to four month development process.
“There’s a pitching process, a commission process, we were three months down the line into filming, then Clarkson came in the summer.”
Despite the competition, Kelvin insisted that they were also “fans” of Jeremy’s show, adding: “We love the show, we binged watched it.”
For sceptics needing more convincing, Kelvin concluded: “I’m not copying anyone, I’ve got no need to. I’m confident in who we are, as a family, what we represent. It’s just us.
“All we are doing is being ourselves. Watch our show and make your own conclusions. If you love it great, if not watch something else.”
The soap star, who played Andy Sugden from 1996 to 2016, said that he started farming because he “wanted a change”.
He previously opened up about buying the farm while appearing on This Morning, as he was quizzed on his new way of life.
Discussing his life-changing decision, Kelvin said: “The sense of unknown has always excited me so we just wanted to seek a challenge. As an actor you always want to embrace the unknown.
“It was such a simple, wholesome way of living and then fast forward a commission with the BBC and the next thing we knew we have a BBC film crew filming our every move!”
BBC One viewers have watched as the actor and his family adjusted to their new life in the country.
Some viewers were convinced that the Emmerdale star’s new show is a “rip off” of Clarkson’s Farm.
One wrote: “How much does Kelvin Fletcher want to copy Jeremy Clarkson with his new farm.”
Another posted: “People saying the BBC make quality programming. On BBC1 now is a 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.”
“So basically Kelvin Fletcher is trying to jump on the Clarkson’s Farm bandwagon. Unoriginal and dull,” another added.
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 Radio Times, Kelvin said it was a “big step”, but they were ready to “embrace something new”.
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.”
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!
“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!”
