Reuben Owen has become a familiar face on TV screens in recent years, but what do we know about his life off-screen? From a sad girlfriend split to a co-star's horror accident, his life has been eventful to say the least.
Rise to Fame
Reuben first shot to fame alongside his family, mum Amanda and dad Clive, in Channel 5's Our Yorkshire Farm. He then landed his own show Life in the Dales. The series follows the young farmer through the trials and triumphs of running a machinery business at Ravenseat, a 2,000-acre family farm in Swaledale, North Yorkshire, having learnt the trade from his parents.
Reuben Owen's Girlfriend Jessica
Reuben, who is 22 years old, is loved-up with Jessica, who is also a farmer. She works on her parents' Brough Castle farm, home to hundreds of animals. The couple got together in October 2024 after meeting at a young farmers' convention. Jessica later shared on the show: "Ever since we first met, we just clicked. I think it's because I'm from a farming background, so's Reuben." She added: "I just love him to bits. Love his family, get on great with them." Reuben told OK magazine: "It took me a while to ask her out, I wasn't that brave but I just asked her one night, we went out for some tea and I'd lost my wallet and she had to pay for my dinner!"
Reuben on What Mum Amanda Thinks of Jessica
In a previous interview with The Mirror, Reuben shared how his family reacted to Jessica: "Mum and Jess get on well, they talk about sheep together, they all approve and they all get along really well." The couple is also planning on moving in together soon. He added: "We're just waiting for something to come up. I've got to try and get a nice place, get a bit of a farm somewhere one day. It would be ideal to have a farm where I can park my diggers and she can have her sheep and cows." When probed on starting a family, referencing his parents' large brood, he quipped: "I don't think I fancy nine of them, I don't fancy nine at all. We'll have to wait and see."
Reuben's Split from Childhood Sweetheart
Before finding love with Jessica, Reuben was in a long-term relationship with Sarah Dow. The childhood sweethearts were introduced by a mutual friend. In July 2022, Reuben took to Instagram to mark their sixth-month anniversary: "Can't believe you have put up with me for 6 months #youralegend #ily." However, 20 months later, it was revealed the pair were no longer an item. The Yorkshire Shepherdess' son broke the news on ITV's Lorraine, telling the presenter: "Me and Sarah were together, we're no longer together but we're still very good friends. She's kind of gone her own way and is pursuing her own career. She does the odd day for us when she's not busy, but no, we're not together. We get on very well and we're still good pals."
Reuben's Co-Star's Horror Accident
During Reuben's show Life In The Dales, co-star Dave Ellwood opened up about the moment he was rushed to intensive care following a frightening encounter with a bull. The farmer, whose daughter Jess is in a relationship with the show's lead Reuben, was on his way to collect a bull as a surprise for Jess while she and Reuben were holidaying in Cyprus. He recounted the incident from 15 years ago, explaining that he was airlifted to hospital and sustained multiple injuries. The show's narrator explained: "Dave has good reason to be cautious with a new bull after a frightening accident 15 years ago." "Yeah, he run me into some girders, didn't he, and threw me about a bit," Dave recalled. "And, uh, yeah, he made a mess of us, didn't he?" When asked about his time in intensive care, he responded: "A couple of days, weren't I? I went in the air ambulance to Middlesbrough. They found out, what was it, nine broken ribs and a ruptured spleen." Referring to the bull, Dave added: "Yeah, he had made a good job."
Watch Reuben Owen: Life in the Dales every Tuesday at 8:00pm on Channel 5.
