Latest news with #YorkshireShepherdess
South Wales Argus
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda Owen to make debut as children's author
Owen, who is known as the Yorkshire Shepherdess, rose to fame for starring in the Channel 5 documentary series, Our Yorkshire Farm, which followed her and her family's life on Ravenseat Farm. The farmer and author, 50, will now debut as a children's writer with the release of seven new titles including picture books, middle-grade non-fiction and fiction. Amanda Owen (Lorna Roach/PA) Her first book is a collection of short stories inspired by life on the farm for readers aged eight to 12 titled, Christmas Tales From The Farm, which is expected to hit shelves this September. Owen said: 'I am absolutely delighted to have been given the opportunity to enter the world of children's books with renowned publishers, Puffin. 'As a mother myself I know firsthand the joy that books can bring to young readers and how a book can stay with you into adulthood, take you places and open up new worlds. 'To be taken under the wing of the Puffin family, publishers of some of my childhood favourites, is something that I could never have dreamed of being possible.' Illustrated by Becca Hall, the collection of short stories will follow countryside characters including a runaway reindeer, special chickens and a clever sheepdog. Yorkshire Shepherdess, Amanda Owen (Richard Walker/PA) Katie Sinfield, editor at Puffin, said: 'It felt only natural to bring Amanda's remarkable farming experience and wonderful gift for storytelling to young readers. 'I can't wait for families everywhere to meet real-life characters such as Chalky the dog and Coco the sheep, and to experience the magic of Ravenseat Farm through the warmth of Amanda's bestselling writing and Becca Hall's beautiful illustrations. 'Christmas Tales From The Farm is an incredible book to kick-start our ambitious publishing partnership, and the perfect, must-have gift for every household to read together this Christmas.' The mum-of-nine is also known for The Yorkshire Shepherdess trilogy and her 2021 title, Celebrating The Seasons With The Yorkshire Shepherdess, which features stories and pictures from their lives in the countryside, alongside seasonal recipes. Owen's literary agent, Jo Cantello, added: 'It's a dream come true to be working with the fantastically talented and supportive Puffin team on Amanda's first children's title, having spent my childhood with my nose buried deep in their books. 'We can't wait to see how Christmas Tales From The Farm is received and to introduce Amanda's incredible gift for storytelling and her characterful farmyard animals to a new audience.' Owen now stars in the Channel 4 series, Our Farm Next Door: Amanda, Clive And Kids, which follows the family as they renovate a farmhouse in the Yorkshire Dales. Christmas Tales from the Farm is due to be published in hardback on September 11.
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Our Yorkshire Farm's Amanda says 'I couldn't dream this' as she changes career
Amanda Owen, who stars in Channel 5's Our Yorkshire Farm, is set to debut as a children's author with a seven-book deal, the first of which will be released this September Amanda Owen, the beloved Yorkshire Shepherdess and star of Channel 5's ' Our Yorkshire Farm ', is set to charm young readers as she ventures into children's literature with the announcement of seven upcoming books. The 50-year-old farmer and author will be branching out into the world of children's publishing with an array of new titles spanning picture books, middle-grade non-fiction, and fiction. Her inaugural offering, ' Christmas Tales From The Farm', is a compilation of short stories for eight to 12 year olds, drawing inspiration from pastoral life and is slated for release this coming September. Owen, who split from husband Clive in 2022 after 22 years of marriage, expressed her excitement about the new endeavour: "I am absolutely delighted to have been given the opportunity to enter the world of children's books with renowned publishers, Puffin." She continued, acknowledging the lasting impact of literature: "As a mother myself I know firsthand the joy that books can bring to young readers and how a book can stay with you into adulthood, take you places and open up new worlds." Reflecting on her partnership with Puffin, she added, "To be taken under the wing of the Puffin family, publishers of some of my childhood favourites, is something that I could never have dreamed of being possible." The forthcoming book, illustrated by Becca Hall, promises to whisk children away to the countryside with tales of a mischievous reindeer, extraordinary chickens, and an astute sheepdog. Puffin editor Katie Sinfield shared her enthusiasm: "It felt only natural to bring Amanda's remarkable farming experience and wonderful gift for storytelling to young readers. "I can't wait for families everywhere to meet real-life characters such as Chalky the dog and Coco the sheep, and to experience the magic of Ravenseat Farm through the warmth of Amanda's bestselling writing and Becca Hall's beautiful illustrations. "Christmas Tales From The Farm is an incredible book to kick-start our ambitious publishing partnership, and the perfect, must-have gift for every household to read together this Christmas.'". The mum-of-nine is also celebrated for her Yorkshire Shepherdess trilogy and her 2021 offering, Celebrating The Seasons With The Yorkshire Shepherdess, which includes tales and images from their rural life, along with recipes for each season. Owen's literary agent, Jo Cantello, expressed: "It's a dream come true to be working with the fantastically talented and supportive Puffin team on Amanda's first children's title, having spent my childhood with my nose buried deep in their books. "We can't wait to see how Christmas Tales From The Farm is received and to introduce Amanda's incredible gift for storytelling and her characterful farmyard animals to a new audience." Owen now features in the Channel 4 series Our Farm Next Door: Amanda, Clive And Kids, which documents the family's adventures as they restore a farmhouse in the Yorkshire Dales. Christmas Tales from the Farm is set for release in hardback on September 11.
Telegraph
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Reuben Owen: ‘I don't want a TV career, I want to be known as the guy who digs big holes'
Television's least-likely star is lying on the grass, all 6ft 7in of him, stretched out in heroically filthy Levi's, with an oversized bulldozer on his belt buckle and thermal-lined Le Chameau boots. We are in a Cumbrian field, just over the border from his native Yorkshire, and Reuben Owen is taking a break from levelling land for a new milking parlour. The sun is blazing down on the parched, craggy hills, while Texel lambs are bleating their presence. But Owen, 21, only has eyes for his heavy machinery. The second series of Reuben Owen: Life in the Dales is about to hit our television screens, but it's fair to say that Owen remains almost comically unchanged by fame. 'The proudest moment of my life wasn't taking part in any TV show, it was the day I got my name on my own digger,' he says, face straight as Geoffrey Boycott's cricket bat. 'When that customised sticker was put on, saying 'Reuben Owen', I knew that I had really accomplished something.' If you're thinking that sounds a little bit bonkers – given that he is the eldest son of the ' Yorkshire Shepherdess ' and therefore a scion of a rural reality-show dynasty – you wouldn't be wrong. And that's what makes him TV gold. 'I can't believe I have my own heavy-machinery company, aged 21, and if the cameras want to follow me and watch, then that's great,' he says. 'The production crew love it when something goes wrong, of course, but we always find a way through. In the country, people have to be self-sufficient, we can turn our hands to almost anything and we always help each other out.' Reuben is the eldest son of Amanda Owen and her now ex-husband Clive, whose everyday life has had us all hooked since their first observational documentary series way back in 2018. Since then, we have watched the highs and lows of the couple and their brood of nine free-range children at their remote home of Ravenseat Farm – aka Our Yorkshire Farm. Needless to say, when his parents separated in 2022, it sparked a tabloid frenzy. There was talk of acrimony, and it was revealed that Amanda had started a new relationship after the separation – but after a brief pause, the broadcasting juggernaut trundled on. There was Beyond the Yorkshire Farm: Reuben & Clive, a spin-off Channel 5 series that showed the father and son duo launching the digging business. Then came Our Farm Next Door: Amanda, Clive and Kids on Channel 4, where they renovated a derelict farmhouse. So far, so predictable. Who doesn't like lambs? Who doesn't get overinvested in property-makeover shows? But with Reuben: Life in the Dales we are talking about heavy machinery; 14-ton diggers, huge wagons, quarrying equipment. There isn't even the archetypal canine eye-candy of a winsome Jack Russell keeping Reuben company in the cab. 'A dog would get run over, squashed under the wheels,' says Owen, matter-of-factly. Everything he says is matter-of-fact. In the whole time we meet he doesn't once use the phrase 'my lived experience' or 'safe space'. 'I also haven't got the time to train a dog properly, but I'm sure the day will come when I get one.' He's quietly charming, and is touchingly smitten by his new girlfriend, Jessica Ellwood, also 21, with a smile as wide as the River Swale. She hails from a nearby farming family and can really drive a digger – the ultimate compliment from Reuben. He joins her rounding up sheep, she helps as and when – they are such hard workers, it's the best (sometimes the only) way of getting quality time together. 'Jess is so happy and chilled out,' he says, his eyes crinkling as his slow beam spreads from ear to ear. 'We met at a Young Farmers' event and it was the biggest stroke of luck. She's not bothered by the filming, either, which is great; the telly thing brings a bit of money into the pot, which is useful.' That's all well and good, although at first glance a casual viewer might wonder if it's not rather odd to commission a series (let alone a second series) about a young man and his passion for heavy machinery. Then again, a great many of us said the same about two blokes angling – cue Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing garnering nearly two million viewers per episode. Old, broken stuff? Nobody could have guessed King Charles himself, then Prince of Wales, would turn up at The Repair Shop with heirlooms to fix. So why not Reuben Owen driving his digger? And, in truth, it's surprisingly relaxing to watch him with his great big strapping mates grafting at the quarry, or playing highly competitive tug-of-war. Here is the very definition of good, clean mucky fun and the perfect antidote to the spectre of toxic masculinity that hangs over television dramas. In this new run, we see Reuben punctiliously training up his younger brother Miles, 18, in driving diggers and tractors, and when he muses 'we are always short of staff', I almost suggest three urban lads and a lass I know personally who would benefit from a summer season in the great all-weather outdoors. I doubt Owen would be in the least bit fazed if they turned up tomorrow in their box-fresh Nikes and pristine Stüssy tracksuits. He takes people as he finds them. 'What I do is all about people,' he says sagely. 'I love digging holes, but the success of a business isn't down to the diggers, you need good people you can trust and rely on. Yes, I'm in a position where I'm able to employ my friends, but I would do anything for them and they would for me.' He is clearly his own man and credits his confidence to his upbringing, when the unofficial motto was very much 'fortune favours the brave'. At a time when all small farmers are being forced to diversify, his family have elected to enjoy a parallel telly existence. His mother, in particular, has become a successful presenter in her own right. But Owen concedes there is a downside to the spotlight: 'The media still likes to dig up my parents' separation, making out there was some massive battle when there wasn't,' he says. 'I know how it went and it was all very amicable. They grew apart and split up, but they are still brilliant parents, whether they're together or not. Every now and again, there will be a headline about some little thing that has been blown up out of all proportion. But you can't be on telly and then expect people not to be interested in what you're doing off-screen.' The day we meet, there is a tabloid brouhaha about images posted online by Amanda, which snowflake townies thought were pictures of Owen 'manhandling' a sheep. He was actually helping a distressed ewe give birth to a live lamb. But Owen was blissfully unaware of it all. 'I don't have the time or the inclination to scroll through social media,' he says. 'If you do ever see me on my phone, I'll be searching for machinery sales. I don't want a career on television, I want to be known as the guy who digs big holes; my current ambition is to buy a 50-ton excavator. Now that really would be the realisation of a dream.'
Scottish Sun
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
ITV dating show set for surprise reboot 16 years after it was axed – with huge format change
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RURAL dating show Farmer Wants A Wife is set for a reboot, some 16 years since it was last on air. It followed a string of unlucky-in-love landowners as they welcomed a city-living woman to their farm in the hope romance would blossom. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 5 Farmer Wants A Wife is making a comeback after 16 years 5 Louise Redknapp is set to host Farmer Wants A Wife Credit: Channel 5 5 Louise has had a career resurgence since starring on Strictly in 2016 Credit: PA The first series aired on ITV in 2001, then a second was picked up by Channel 5 in 2009 - with Louise Redknapp, now 50, as host. Now a surge in interest in agriculture thanks to the success of Clarkson's Farm and the Yorkshire Shepherdess has convinced TV bosses to revive the original muddy dating show. A TV source said: 'Farmer Wants A Wife was one of telly's earlier dating shows before the likes of Love Island and Married at First Sight came along and created a whole new genre. 'Even though it only ran for two series, the UK version spawned as many as ten international versions - it's massive in Australia, for example - and the BBC even had a go at their own version, Love In The Countryside with Sara Cox. 'But the time is thought to be right to revisit the UK farmers as interest in rural living has never been greater thanks to Jeremy Clarkson et al and after Covid many have rethought city life. 'It's early days so a channel isn't yet attached, nor a host, but everyone is very excited.' Fremantle Media, which made the original two series, are exploring the reboot and have begun looking for single farmers and city-dwellers looking for rural romance. But hinting at changes to the format for a new generation of workers, bosses say they're open to 'all genders, sexualities, ages and love interests.' And they suggest applicants apply from 'a vineyard in Kent' or might fancy 'harvesting crops in the Cotswolds.' 5 The reboot will air on ITV Credit: Alamy
The Irish Sun
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
ITV dating show set for surprise reboot 16 years after it was axed – with huge format change
RURAL dating show Farmer Wants A Wife is set for a reboot, some 16 years since it was last on air. It followed a string of unlucky-in-love landowners as they welcomed a city-living woman to their farm in the hope romance would blossom. 5 Farmer Wants A Wife is making a comeback after 16 years 5 Louise Redknapp is set to host Farmer Wants A Wife Credit: Channel 5 5 Louise has had a career resurgence since starring on Strictly in 2016 Credit: PA The first series aired on ITV in 2001, then a second was picked up by Channel 5 in 2009 - with Louise Redknapp, now 50, as host. Now a surge in interest in agriculture thanks to the success of Clarkson's Farm and the Yorkshire Shepherdess has convinced TV bosses to revive the original muddy dating show. A TV source said: 'Farmer Wants A Wife was one of telly's earlier dating shows before the likes of Love Island and Married at First Sight came along and created a whole new genre. 'Even though it only ran for two series, the UK version spawned as many as ten international versions - it's massive in Australia, for example - and the BBC even had a go at their own version, Love In The Countryside with Sara Cox. louise redknapp 'But the time is thought to be right to revisit the UK farmers as interest in rural living has never been greater thanks to Jeremy Clarkson et al and after Covid many have rethought city life. 'It's early days so a channel isn't yet attached, nor a host, but everyone is very excited.' Fremantle Media, which made the original two series, are exploring the reboot and have begun looking for single farmers and city-dwellers looking for rural romance. But hinting at changes to the format for a new generation of workers, bosses say they're open to 'all genders, sexualities, ages and love interests.' Most read in TV And they suggest applicants apply from 'a vineyard in Kent' or might fancy 'harvesting crops in the Cotswolds.' 5 The reboot will air on ITV Credit: Alamy 5 The show sees people from the city move to the country to find a spouse
