Kelvin Fletcher says his time on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ is helping him move on from ‘Emmerdale’.
The former soap star – who played Andy Sugden for 20 years – admitted "it’s refreshing" the public are finally seeing the real side of him after two decades in the same role.
Speaking in new! magazine, he said: "It’s refreshing for me. They’ve only seen me a certain way and maybe me being on ‘Strictly’ has startled a few people. But that’s because they’ve seen me play Andy Sugden for so long."
The 35-year-old actor left the ITV soap in August 2016 after first appearing on the show at just six years old.
Now, Kelvin is ready to move on from his beloved character with help from the dance series that’s already changed his life.
He added: "It’s had a profound effect on everything. I’ve never done a job where I’ve had such a lovely, reassuring comments and it’s unique in that sense."
Meanwhile, Kelvin and his professional dance partner Oti Mabuse are favourites to win this year’s ballroom dance competition, and judge Craig Revel Horwood has also backed Kelvin to win.
He recently said: "He’s very much in touch with himself, and his body, and the rhythm of it. His strengths lie in Latin — in hip action and telling stories.
"He possesses great musicality and rhythm and he blew everyone away with his first dance.
"If he reaches the final and dances the salsa, then I can definitely see him lifting the Glitterball trophy. Plus he’s loved by the nation."
However, the outspoken dancer has warned Kelvin he needs to boost his ballroom skills as the show goes on.
He added: "He struggles with ballroom. And because he came in super-strong from the start, it’s difficult to show the viewers a journey…
"[He needs to improve] his posture. If he can get some swing and sway into his ballroom, I think he’ll definitely be up for getting to the final."
Kelvin Fletcher admits Strictly is helping him move on from Emmerdale
