Fletcher’s Family Farm’s latest series has officially drawn to a close on ITV.
Back in 2020, former Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher and his wife Liz swapped their home in Oldham for a 120-acre farm nestled in the Peak District. Over the past three years, they have opened their doors to the public, offering a glimpse into their home life and the realities of running a working farm.
The Fletcher family resides on the farm alongside their children, Marnie, Milo, and twins Mateusz and Maximus. The farm remains privately owned and is not open to visitors on a day-to-day basis.
The fourth series wrapped up on Sunday, 12 April, and proved particularly grueling for the family, marked by considerable emotional and financial hardship.
Viewers were left heartbroken by several distressing moments, including the tragic death of their beloved cow, Cherry, and the ordeal of being forced to flee their home following a fire, reports The Mirror.
Kelvin and Liz run a farm together in the Peak District (Image: @fletchersonthefarm/Instagram)
Following the broadcast of the final episode earlier this month, fans took to social media to share their reactions after Kelvin and Liz posted: “Our last episode of the season airs today. You know what that calls for……cuppa tea time.”
Those already missing the highs and lows of Fletcher’s Family Farm need not despair, as a BBC programme exploring the demanding reality of balancing family life with farming is currently airing.
This Farming Life broadcasts on Thursday evenings at 8pm on BBC Two and iPlayer, following a variety of farming families from across the breathtaking Scottish countryside. In the latest series, which launched in February, Ally Williamson opened his farm to film crews for 10 months.
The farmer is joined by his two children, Bethany and Noah, his partner, Maggie, and his parents, making the entire crofting operation a thoroughly family-driven enterprise.
Ally Williamson opened his farm to film crews for 10 months. (Image: BBC Studios)
The show also follows another family, Hampshire dairy farmers Adam and Lucy Johnstone, and their baby, who must borrow £4 million to relocate their whole operation to Scotland.
Now in its eighth series, the farming show has been hailed as “wonderful”, with one viewer writing on IMDb: “Amazing programme giving a real insight into the daily life of farming.”
While a second commented: “Can’t get enough of this series! This is such a wonderful, well-made series! The scenery is beautiful.”
Hampshire dairy farmers Adam and Lucy Johnstone relocated to Scotland (Image: BBC Studios)
A third elaborated: “Honest, Heartfelt, and Hugely Important. This Farming Life has arguably done more in just a few series to promote understanding of the work, triumphs, and struggles of farmers than Countryfile has managed in over three decades.”
They went on to say: “Where other rural programmes can sometimes feel polished or detached, This Farming Life offers an honest, compassionate, and deeply human portrayal of what it means to live and work on the land in 21st-century Scotland.”
Producers have already commissioned a ninth series, due to air in 2027. The 12-episode documentary series highlights the hard work and dedication of farmers throughout the country.
This Farming Life is available to stream on BBC iPlayer
