Adam Henson feared he had made a mistake when he brought a new family addition home to meet wife Charlie and their two children one Christmas
Countryfile’s Adam Henson, 59, was concerned he might be inviting “heartache” into his household when he introduced a new member to the family. Adam and his wife Charlie are parents to grown-up children Alfie and Ella.
In his book, Christmas on the Farm, Adam reminisces about a year when he was grappling with finding the ideal gift for Charlie. His search led him to a farm where the owner was attempting to sell a litter of kittens.
Adam reveals that the family had vowed never to adopt another cat following the loss of their cherished pet Percy. “Desperate as I was for a present for an idea for Charlie’s present, these kittens seemed a good idea,” Adam shared.
The farmer offered Adam a cat on the condition that he could “catch one”. Despite some initial difficulties, as the kittens “weren’t about to allow themselves” to be caught, he eventually succeeded in capturing one.
However, Adam soon realised why this particular kitten hadn’t managed to evade capture. “She was sneezy and her little tummy was bloated; she was a sad spectacle,” he penned.
The television personality noted that the farmer even expressed concern that the tiny feline “doesn’t look as if it’s going to survive”. Regardless, Adam chose to bring the kitten home, making a pit stop for emergency supplies en route.
Upon arriving home, Adam decided to present the kitten to his wife, acknowledging that he would “never have managed to keep her hidden” and conceding that it required “TLC”. He confessed: “It’s fair to say Charlie had mixed feelings.
“Much as she loves cats, she was worried about this sad, sneezy little specimen – I’d potentially brought home a lot of heartache for her and the kids.”
Adam confesses he even started to “regret” his choice when the farm vet called round to see the family later that day. Though the kitten faced an “uncertain” beginning to life, Adam reveals she “grew into a beautiful, fluffy cat”, which the family christened Twiglet.
Despite his early doubts, and the fact he describes himself as a “dog person”, Adam says Twiglet became the family’s “favourite Christmas present”.
He reckons it was the “right time” for a fresh family addition with Alfie aged six and Ella aged 10 at the time. While Adam himself would “choose a dog over a cat”, he says the youngsters “loved her to bits” and commended the pet for adapting to life on his Gloucestershire farm.
Twiglet went on to produce two litters of kittens, one of which, called Frank, stayed with the family. Adam, who operates Cotswold Farm Park, shot to prominence when he landed a presenting role on Countryfile after a nationwide hunt.
He will be back on our screens with Countryfile’s A Cornish Christmas from 5.05pm today (December 21) on BBC One. Alongside Matt Baker and Anita Rani, Adam will be discovering Christmas in Cadgwith.
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