Former Emmerdale star Kelvin Fletcher called the original Dingle clan the “best soap family EVER” after reacting to a 30-year-old throwback photo from the show.
The Instagram post, shared by Lisa Riley, who plays Mandy Dingle, featured the first appearance of the Dingle family in the village, showing Mandy, Butch, Zak, Tina, and Sam though only two of them remain in the village today.
Lisa captioned the snap: “On this very day 30 years ago, @emmerdale and the best part is, I remember it like it was yesterday. Us old DINGLES, where it all began, all those years ago, we’ve made a mark as @itv turns 70 this week.”
Kelvin commented under the post: “Best soap family EVER” as Lisa responded: “Love ya”.
Lisa Riley marked 30 years on Emmerdale this year, having initially been cast for a single siege episode but going on to become one of the show’s most iconic residents.
Kelvin Fletcher first appeared on screen in 1996 as Andy Sugden, the adoptive son of Jack and Sarah Sugden. He played the role for 20 years before leaving in 2016, and even seven years after Andy’s departure, fans still remember him.
Outside of acting, Kelvin now hosts the podcast Off Script with his wife Liz, where they interview soap stars from both Coronation Street and Emmerdale.
With Robert Sugden’s return to the village, fans hoped Andy might make a comeback. Andy and Robert’s relationship was often strained, struggling to see eye to eye. In 2001, Andy fell in love with Katie Addyman, but the couple split after she had an affair with Robert.
Years later, Andy made a pact with Ross Barton: if Ross killed Pete, Andy would do the same to Robert. This was tied to the tragic accident in which Robert accidentally killed Katie by pushing her through rotting floorboards after she discovered his affair with Aaron Dingle.
However, Andy had to bid farewell to the Dales when Chrissie framed him for the accidental shooting of her father Lawrence which the real shooter was Chrissie’s son Lachlan.
He fled on the day of his trial with the help of Robert who gave him spare clothes and a fake passport, putting an end to their two decades old feud.
Emmerdale airs on weekdays at 7:30pm on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.