Less than a year ago, Emmerdale's rising star Fred Kettle was studying drama at college. Now, as the soap's troubled youngster Dylan Penders, he is at the heart of some of its biggest storylines. Last week, his character was left in disbelief when found not guilty of perverting the course of justice over the murder of Ray Walters, after helping move the dead body. Paddy Dingle, who gave homeless Dylan a place to stay, was handed a 12-month suspended sentence. Bear, who murdered Ray, was found not guilty on grounds of self-defence.
From College to Emmerdale
Fred, 19, who lives in Bradford with his parents and younger sister, told the Mirror: "I am still buzzing. It feels surreal and I can't believe that less than a year ago I was at college. Now I am here on Emmerdale playing Dylan. It's mad and I am loving being in the soap."
What makes his rise to fame even more special is that at age nine, Fred was diagnosed with dyslexia. His mother pushed for a test after suspecting he had the learning difficulty. School life was tough, he admits: "Nothing gelled for me. I liked reading but I was terrible at it. I had to read everything five times and go very slowly. I still do. School wasn't for me and I couldn't handle the environment."
Recalling the diagnosis, he said: "I was in year five at primary school and my mum kept asking the teachers if I could take a test. Thankfully, we managed to get one and it came back that I was. But it was still hard at school and I didn't try."
No Sympathy Needed
Fred stresses he never wanted sympathy: "I never ever wanted to pull the 'I am dyslexic' card at school. I didn't want it to define me and I still don't." A chance opportunity to take part in a youth acting course with the Royal Shakespeare Company changed his life. "Acting was a new channel for me and it was a way of expressing myself too. I realised I liked portraying different characters and how other people think," he said.
Fred studied an extended diploma in drama at Wakefield's Capa College and landed parts in the Maxine Peake short film Poppy Day, the BBC's Sherwood, and as a voiceover in Netflix's hit Adolescence. "I did some voiceovers to match what the extras were saying. It was so cool and at the time, I didn't know how massive it was going to be," he said.
Emmerdale Journey
Fred joined Emmerdale in February 2025, playing homeless Dylan who met Marlon Dingle's daughter Amelia on the streets. After impressing bosses, he returned permanently in May 2025. Last July, he was nominated for an Inside Soap Award for Best Young Performer. Being part of the gritty modern slavery storyline culminating in the court case has been amazing, but Fred teases it's far from easy for Dylan despite being found not guilty.
"Dylan feels all over the place now. He wanted everyone to be found not guilty and the last person he thought would be sent down was Paddy. He now feels so guilty that Paddy got found guilty," Fred said.
Supportive Co-Stars
Fred praises Emmerdale legends: "Mark Charnock (Marlon) was such a mentor to me at the start. He gave me lots of positive advice and he's been a very good role model." Lisa Riley (Mandy) is like a second mum: "She is such a motherly person, very caring and always there for me." Dom Brunt (Paddy) is also good fun to work with.
Fred feels fortunate his life is different from his character's: "I can't thank my parents enough for everything they've done. I wouldn't be here on Emmerdale without their incredible support." Away from the soap, Fred is happily dating his girlfriend of two years, whom he met at college while she was doing a dance course. "I've got a lovely partner. We really enjoy going on wild camping and fishing trips," he said.
On the future, Fred says: "I love it at Emmerdale and I am just going with the flow. I'd like to see him and April stay together." His message to aspiring actors: "If you want it that bad, you will get it. If you believe in yourself, you really will."
Emmerdale airs every weekday on ITV1 at 8pm. Episodes can also be downloaded on ITVX.
