WINTER wonderland!
JULES
Winter is exciting because we’re building up to Christmas. For farmers, though, it’s one of the most challenging times as it’s cold and they’re working against the clock to get ready for the busy spring.
Could you tell us about some of the plans for this series? JULES
One of the reindeer sadly passed away this year and Rob and Dave go to Ireland to get a new friend for reindeer Prince.
Elsewhere, JB Gill is back, as is Dr Amir Khan, who meets people who love the great outdoors, including the ‘Fell Foodie’, who cooks things up mountains!
We’ll also be celebrating local artisans, producers and bakers, and sampling some of their produce. And we’ll no doubt be doing a couple of crafty things in the run-up to
Christmas.
HELEN Do you have any favourites among the animal residents of Cannon Hall? JULES
I adore the miniature Shetland ponies; they are gorgeous.
I love the Highland cattle. Emma is my favourite – she’ll quite often start mooing when we’re doing a piece to camera. I like the donkeys, too, although I once got bitten live on air by a donkey foal.
HELEN The perils of live TV! Do you relish the challenges that broadcasting live brings? HELEN
Definitely. You just get on with it because you can’t go back and do any bit again.
I was quite new to live TV
JULES
when we started doing the …on the Farm franchise, but Helen, having done a lifetime of it, has been the most brilliant mentor.
[Laughing] That’s a nice way of saying I’m bossy!
HELEN As well as your Winter on the Farm stint, Helen, you’ve also been tripping the light fantastic on BBC1’S Strictly Come Dancing, partnered with pro Gorka Márquez. Has the experience lived up to your expectations? HELEN
I’m absolutely loving it! As Jules knows, I’m massively out of my comfort zone and it’s all alien to me, but I’m really trying. I’m so grateful for all the support I’ve had. Rob and Dave have sent me supportive video messages; even The Yorkshire Vet’s Peter Wright sent me a video message!
The ‘farmy army’ are absolutely behind Helen and are so proud of her!
JULES
‘I LOVE THOSE WINTER DAYS WHEN IT’S CRISP, BRIGHT AND CLEAR’