In a candid moment from their family's reality TV show, Liz Marsland, the wife of former Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher, playfully admitted she does not fit the archetype of her husband's 'dream woman'. The revelation came during the festive edition of their ITV programme, Fletchers’ Family Farm, which aired on Sunday.
A Festive Trip to Austria
The Christmas special episode followed the Fletcher-Marsland clan as they travelled to Austria. The family, which includes their children Marnie, Milo, and twins Mateusz and Maximus, stayed with the Achrainer family on their farm. During the visit, family matriarch Martina Achrainer gave Liz a lesson in baking traditional Austrian fried dough pastries known as Bauernkrapfen.
After the baking session, Liz turned to the camera and reflected on the experience. She noted the deep-rooted tradition of the farmer's wife role within the Achrainer household, where cooking is central to celebration. It was this observation that prompted her light-hearted confession about her own domestic skills, or lack thereof, in comparison.
'He Got Me, and I Can't Cook'
'That was so fascinating and it’s so good to see that they have this real farmer’s wife tradition,' Liz said. 'And they keep this tradition and they cook to celebrate... and actually, that's probably Kelvin's dream woman.'
Giggling, she then added the self-deprecating punchline: 'A farmer's wife... and he got me, and I can't cook.'
The couple, both in their early 40s, have a long history. They have known each other since they were young, started dating in 2009, got engaged in 2014, and married in 2015. Their move to a 120-acre farm in Wincle, Cheshire, came in 2021 after plans to relocate to California were halted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Documenting Life on the Land
Their transition from acting to farming has been documented across two ITV series: Kelvin’s Big Farming Adventure and the ongoing Fletchers’ Family Farm. Speaking previously about the decision to film their lives, Kelvin emphasised the personal value they find in their new lifestyle.
'I think for me, I personally don’t want to seek any sort of validation elsewhere,' he told BBC Breakfast. 'I know how valued we are as a family and what we do on our small family farm... You take great pride in producing food and having a real acknowledgement towards nature, towards the habitat. You’re a custodian of the land, and it’s a privilege.'
He also explained to Country and Town House that despite initial reservations about inviting cameras into their personal space, the documentary process had been rewarding. The show has resonated with audiences and provided the family with a beautiful record of their journey.
The farm life depicted is not without its heartbreaks, however. In a poignant moment on Lorraine back in April, the couple shared the traumatic experience of losing a lamb during a difficult birth on their property, highlighting the raw realities of their agricultural venture.
Fletchers’ Family Farm airs on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.
