Andy Sugden’s journey from foster child to Emmerdale icon

Andy Sugden – played by Kelvin Fletcher – in Emmerdale is one of the show’s most iconic characters, from the Dale’s most famous family. But what’s his story, where is he, and will he ever return?

Andy Sugden in his early days of Emmerdale

It may be a surprise but Andy isn’t actually a Sugden by birth. He arrived in the village as a foster child for Jack and Sarah Sugden back in 1996.

Poor Andy had a tricky start to life. His mother died and his dodgy dad, Billy Hopwood, ended up in Strangeways.

When Andy’s grandmother – who looked after him while Billy was in prison – died, he came to Emmerdale. He was eventually officially adopted by Jack and Sarah in 2000.

Family feuds

Andy may have been considered part of the family by Jack and Sarah but he’s been causing trouble for the Sugden family since he arrived!

Read more: Emmerdale star Ryan Hawley has welcomed a new baby with his wife

First up, Andy tried to help when his new parents’ marriage hit a rocky patch and Sarah had an affair with Richie Carter.

Thinking he was going to do Jack a favour by letting him claim on insurance, Andy set fire to the barn. But Sarah and Richie were inside and poor Sarah was killed.

Years later, Andy’s sister Victoria tracked Richie down and he told her he was responsible for the fire, to protect Andy. But the truth came out and Andy served time in prison for the crime.

Andy v Robert

Though Andy was Robert’s friend before he became his brother, the Sugden siblings have had a troubled time.

Things got tricky when Robert had an affair with Andy’s fiancée, Katie, back in 2003. Andy was furious when he found out about the betrayal and ended up accidentally shooting his dad!

The feud continued, though, and only ended when another angry argument ended in the accidental death of Max King. Knowing he was responsible for his friend’s untimely demise, guilt-ridden Robert left the village.

But when Robert returned, in 2014, the battle between the brothers was back on. By then Andy and Katie were back together and planning another wedding.

Katie discovered that Robert was sleeping with Aaron Dingle. And in desperation to keep his secret, on the day of his wedding to Chrissie White, Robert pushed Katie through some rotting floorboards to her death.

When heartbroken Andy found out the truth, he made a deal with Ross Barton – who was feuding with his brother, Pete. He agreed he would kill Pete, if Ross killed Robert.

Ross kept his side of the bargain – shooting Robert – but Andy couldn’t go through with it. Robert did survive.

When Andy left the village, he and Robert made up.

Who is Andy Sugden in Emmerdale married to?

Andy’s first love was Katie Addyman. The cute pair were teenage sweethearts and tied the knot twice – first in 2004 and then again in 2014.

When Andy got together with Jo Stiles, the pair seemed happy, but when Andy came out of prison, he was troubled and aggressive and beat Jo up several times. The couple eventually divorced and Jo left the village.

Andy later had a steamy romance with his step-sister Bernice Blackstock, and then reconciled with Katie.

Who are Andy’s children?

When Andy’s first marriage broke up, he began a romance with underage Debbie Dingle who got pregnant and had his baby – who they named Sarah after Andy’s adoptive mum.

A few years later, with Sarah desperately ill, the pair had baby Jack – named after Andy’s dad – as a ‘saviour sibling’ for his big sister.

Andy Sugden leaves the village

After Katie’s death, Andy started a romance with Chrissie White – his former sister-in-law. But Chrissie was furious when she found out about his affair with Bernice, who by now was her stepmother, as well as Andy’s stepsister. Talk about keeping it in the family!

In revenge, Chrissie framed Andy for shooting her father, Lawrence. The real shooter was her troubled teenage son, Lachlan.

With a bit of help from Robert and Bernice, Andy fled the village on the day of his trial and hasn’t been seen since – not even when daughter Sarah was seriously ill again.

What has Kelvin Fletcher said about an Emmerdale return?

In 2020, Kelvin Fletcher was asked if he would return to Emmerdale and he said: “I have no plans to go back.”

He’s pretty busy with TV work though. In January 2022, his reality series Kelvin’s Big Farming Adventure began on BBC One.

He’s also starring in Channel 5 drama The Teacher alongside Sheridan Smith. Kelvin plays Jack, the colleague and sort-of love interest of Sheridan’s English teacher character, Jenny.

Jenny’s world is blown apart when she is accused of having a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old pupil in the four-part series.

Read more: Is The Teacher based on a true story?

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