‘IT’S LIKE A FAMILY’
Helen Skelton spills the beans on the new season
Never work with children and animals is an adage Helen Skelton happily ignores as she gears up for her new show. The presenter and mum-of-three takes both in her stride as she celebrates British farming and produce. Her children, Ernie, seven, Louis, five, and
Programme
seven-month-old Elsie Kate, seem to love
Day, ITV, 9pm visiting Live: Summer On The Farm’s HQ at Cannon Hall Farm in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, as much as viewers do.
Over a week, the show will turn the spotlight on lambing, beekeeping, haybaling and sheepshearing. Chef Tim Bilton will be whipping up a feast as Dr Amir Khan shows how to convert a garden into a butterfly haven and JB Gill meets Tottenham cheesemakers.
Here, Helen, 38, tells us why the show fills her with pride…
Hi, Helen! You also present Springtime On The Farm. How have the shows changed?
No one ever expected us to get Springtime away during Covid, but we did it in our gardens and on our phones and it was a huge hit. I’m always amazed at how dedicated viewers are and we’ve put them at the heart of the programme. There’s more ownership from viewers now – just as it should be.
Former presenter Martin Hughes-games is standing in for Jules Hudson this year…
Springwatch
Yes. People say working on a show is like working with family and I used to think that was such a cliché – but it’s really not. I’d be lying if I said I won’t miss Jules. But Martin will fit in really well. He’s a lovely bloke and he’s been to my house and met my kids already.
It must feel great to know the show can lift people’s spirits after the pandemic…
Yes. That’s what telly is about for me – uniting people.
During the pandemic, having that ability to connect to so many people who were on their own was a real privilege. It will forever be one of the things I’m
most proud of.
Which new arrivals can we expect to see?
Lambs, goats and a foal. Last series we finished with a shire horse being born, which was a massive moment, so we’ll revisit that. I’ll get to see my favourite horse, Orchid.