Kelvin Fletcher was forced to make a devastating choice in the most recent instalment of Fletcher’s Family Farm, which broadcasts on Sunday. Throughout the episode, Kelvin revealed that they had consumed Fletcher’s lamb and Fletcher’s pork, yet they had still not sampled Fletcher’s beef.

Whilst stroking his cow, Sonic, on the head, the ex-soap actor mentioned that he had chosen to prepare him for slaughter, though he remained uncertain about his feelings regarding it – and it’s not the first occasion the performer has encountered heartache on the farm.

Kelvin stated in the narration, “I’m in the barn with Sonic, and we’re about to start a journey that every farmer knows well, but in this particular case is new to us. It’s nearly time for Sonic to make the journey most livestock animals are bred for.” Kelvin revealed that Sonic was their very first calf, and because he was a castrated male, “his days are numbered,” the Daily Mirror reports.

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He went on, “With a lot of the livestock, the reason why you castrate is that they’re going to go into the food chain. It stops them breeding and being a potential nuisance.

“The process is we have got Sonic in, and we’ve got him in to finish. We enjoy meat, as many people do, and this is part of it. Obviously, we’ve done that with the sheep and the pigs, and we’ve kind of got used to that now, whereas this is going to feel very well, I don’t know how it’s going to feel. Is it going to feel different? I don’t know.”

Reflecting on his decision, the telly favourite continued, “Even though it’s part of life on the farm, it doesn’t make the moment any easier.

“But we also know why our animals are here and how essential that cycle is to keeping the farm going. But we knew that, you know, we’ve known it for the fact that he’s a steer.

“You know, that the intentions were kind of clear from the outset, really. And he’ll be approaching two years old, and obviously he’s, you know, he’s a cracking animal.”

Despite acknowledging it would be a poignant moment, Kelvin revealed that he and his family hope Sonic would feature in their Christmas feast this year.

He said, “People will be eating Fletcher beef for the first time ever. We’ll be eating Fletcher beef for the first time ever. We’ve had Fletcher pork and Fletcher lamb, and next it’s going to be beef. So massive thing for us.

“The kids understand brilliantly the concepts, in such an uncomplicated way, of what the animals become. You know, when we eat animals, they’ve got a very good understanding of that, and it’s uncomplicated, as it kind of should be. It’s celebrated.”

He added, “He’s had a great life running around and being happy. He looks in fantastic condition. He’s a show winner as well. Let’s not forget that he’s a rosette-wearing supreme champion. I’d probably go as far as saying you’d be our most famous.

“You’re our first, you’re award-winning, you’ve been on the telly, you’ve got a name, and you’ll be the first Fletcher beef that we eat and other people eat, so there’s a lot riding on this, mate.”