Countryfile presenter Adam Henson was quick to defend the BBC show after farmer Olly Harrison jokingly questioned whether the programme was still on air during a discussion about the future of British farming
Adam Henson (Image: BBC)
Countryfile presenter Adam Henson found himself defending the beloved BBC programme following a cheeky comment made during a chat about the future of British farming.
The host was in conversation with fellow farmer and social media figure Olly Harrison at Cotswold Farm Park when the discussion took an unforeseen twist, leading Adam to issue a sharp retort in the show’s defence.
The duo had been exploring public understanding of farming, food production and how the sector engages with consumers when Olly pondered the increasing awareness of agriculture among the general public.
When Adam enquired whether consumer understanding was improving, Olly acknowledged that recent years had witnessed a notable transformation.
“Oh definitely. There’s the Clarkson effect, you know, massive advocacy and it’s reached corners that we’d never reach,” he remarked, reports Gloucestershire Live.
Olly further noted that farmers had grown more adept at communicating the realities of food production and the difficulties they encounter, especially during demonstrations over inheritance tax reforms for farmers revealed in the 2024 Budget.
He explained the sector strategically concentrated on clarifying what farmers actually do before addressing financial matters, enabling the public to grasp more fully the demands involved in producing food.
Adam subsequently queried whether education by itself could alter attitudes, highlighting the lack of qualifications dedicated specifically to agriculture, food production and conservation. Harrison responded: “I don’t have many GCSEs at all, so it doesn’t matter. They say it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. And if you can make it so that people feel like they know a farmer, whether that’s by watching Amazon Prime, I think that’s got to be a good thing. And Open Farm Sunday and Countryfile.”
At this moment, another farmer cheekily interjected: “Is Countryfile still on?”
The remark prompted laughter, though Adam swiftly countered with an enthusiastic defence of the show.
“The most watched factual television programme there is,” he responded.
The moment follows Adam’s recent comments about his future both on the farm and on the BBC programme, having previously acknowledged that eventually departing from Cotswold Farm Park would signal the “end of an era”.
Yet the presenter has emphasised he has no intention of leaving imminently. In conversation with Cotswold Life, Adam revealed he still has at least 10 years left on his tenancy and remains passionate about juggling farming alongside his broadcasting duties.
“We’re still a family-run rural business and a large local employer, with 180 people on the books, all of whom are central to the success of the business. My mantra has always been to surround myself with people who can do the job better than I can,” he explained.
Discussing his role with Countryfile, Adam continued: “I still enjoy being part of Countryfile, doing the farming slot most weeks.
“I go all over the country behind the scenes on some fascinating farms and talking to really interesting people, picking up ideas I can bring back and share – and I still work as a farmer, which means I can speak to other farmers in a knowledgeable way.”
Casting his eyes to the future, he commented: “We don’t want a heatwave like last year nor a wet year like 2024. We need enough rain to make the grass grow but plenty of sunshine for our visitors.
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