Former Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher has shared an emotional and joyful update from his Cheshire farm, confirming that his beloved cow, Ruby, is expecting a calf.
From Heartbreak to Hope
The happy news comes after a period of anxiety for the Fletcher family. Several weeks prior, they received the devastating news that Ruby had miscarried her previous calf. This meant there was an anxious wait while Ruby recovered fully before she could run with the family's young bull again.
Speaking ahead of a crucial vet appointment featured on Sunday's episode of his ITV show, Fletcher's Family Farm, Kelvin explained the situation to viewers. "Thankfully, she was soon well enough to run with our young bull again, and today, we will find out if he's done his job," he said.
A Welcome Confirmation
The moment of truth arrived with vet Hugo on the farm. While the visit also involved the stressful, mandatory TB testing for the entire herd—a process that can lead to animals being culled if they test positive—the focus quickly turned to Ruby.
After examining her, Hugo delivered the fantastic news: Ruby was confirmed to be back in calf. The vet estimated the pregnancy to be at approximately 14 weeks.
A delighted Kelvin reacted to the update, saying, "Yeah, we were. That's good news, she's back in calf. That's the main thing, and it's healthy."
Dreams for the Show Season
The pregnancy, however, means a slight adjustment to the family's farming plans. Kelvin had previously harboured a dream of having four children participate in the young handlers' class at the Royal Cheshire Show 2025.
With Ruby's calf now due a bit later than initially hoped, she will unfortunately miss the Cheshire show. Despite this, Kelvin's overwhelming emotion was one of relief and happiness for his cow.
He shared his delight, adding, "I'm so thrilled for Ruby. She produced such a cracking calf last year. I just hope this one is a simpler birth."
The emotional journey from loss to new hope has been a central storyline for the Fletcher family, showcasing the very real highs and lows of farm life.
