Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda Owen has issued a robust public response to a wave of critical social media comments targeting both her appearance and her authenticity as a farmer. The star of Channel 5's Our Yorkshire Farm and its Channel 4 successor took to Instagram on Friday, 5 December, to share screenshots of the remarks alongside a series of personal photos.
A Defiant Message to Detractors
Amanda Owen, a mother-of-nine famed for documenting her family's life at Ravenseat farm, directly addressed the negativity in a candid post. She shared two particularly pointed comments left under her posts. One accused her of being a "pretend farmer," while the other focused critically on her slimmer figure.
Alongside a carousel of images showing her working on the farm and with her children, Owen wrote a caption that left little room for misunderstanding. She posed three rhetorical questions to her followers: "Am I perfect? [Red X emoji]. Am I fake? [Red X emoji]. Am I a real person, flaws and all? [Green tick emoji]."
She continued with a message of self-empowerment, stating she hoped to inspire others "to be their own unique selves and refuse to be held back." Owen acknowledged that most people would simply scroll past, but added a pointed note for her critics: "A very small number of people will be enraged. Enjoy. Not sorry."
Pictures Paint a Thousand Words
The photographs accompanying the post served as a visual retort to the accusations. They depicted a multifaceted life, including:
- Scenes of Owen actively tending to livestock on the farm.
- Candid moments with her sons, Miles and Sydney.
- A stylish snap of the shepherdess in a black dress, showcasing a different side to her typically rugged farmwear.
This blend of imagery reinforced her central message: that a person can be both a hands-on farmer and an individual with a life and style beyond their work.
An Outpouring of Fan Support
The response from Amanda Owen's supporters was swift and overwhelmingly positive. Hundreds flooded the comments to condemn the online trolls and rally behind the TV personality.
One fan wrote, "They walk among us Amanda! Success breeds hatred for whatever pathetic reasons they are deluded by! Keep doing great things and loving your life and family." Another supporter chimed in, "Oh God forbid a beautiful strong independent woman can't possibly be a farmer. Keep being you Amanda."
Others expressed sadness at the need for such unkind comments, with one person noting, "It's so sad that people feel so bad inside that they are unkind to others. Your show has bought enjoyment to millions of people." The sentiment of jealousy was also echoed, with a follower who met Owen at a book signing calling the critics "jealous."
From Ravenseat to a New Chapter
Amanda Owen first found fame on Our Yorkshire Farm alongside her now ex-husband, Clive. The show chronicled the challenges and joys of raising their large family on one of England's most remote upland farms in the Yorkshire Dales.
Following the couple's separation, the family's story has continued on Channel 4 with Our Farm Next Door: Amanda, Clive and Kids. The programme follows their project to convert a barn into a new home. The broadcaster has committed to the family's story for the long term, having already commissioned two more series set to air in 2026 and 2027.
This latest episode of online criticism and Owen's unapologetic response underscores the intense public scrutiny that comes with her celebrity status, while also highlighting her determination to define her own narrative.
