Dale's Fletcher: 'Andy is not evil'

Kelvin Fletcher has admitted that he feels protective of his Emmerdale character Andy Sugden.

Speaking to The Mirror, the actor insisted that he believes Andy is "misunderstood" by other characters in the ITV soap.

"I've grown up with Andy so I understand him," he told the paper. "I don't condone the bad things he's done but he's not evil. He's just a stupid, angry lad.

"I feel very protective of him. When you look at everything he's been through along the way, who wouldn't have a few problems? That's why his storylines with Katie have been so great. She's the only person left now who has known him since he was young."

The 27-year-old continued: "Andy's a real hot-head and the complete opposite to me. I just haven't got a temper at all. It's quite good fun being him - I get to let off some steam and act out all these angry scenes.

"In real life people assume I'm like Andy. If I'm out they'll be looking at me thinking I'm the one who'll kick off - but I'm always the peaceful one."

However, Fletcher confessed that he does expect there will come a time when he is ready to move on from the Yorkshire drama.

"Don't get me wrong, I would never think I was too good for the show but there are other things I would like to try in the future," he said. "I'll always be indebted to Emmerdale and I hope at some point it will lead me to try something else."

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