Amanda Owen, the star of Channel 5's Our Yorkshire Farm, has a no-nonsense response to being labelled a sex symbol: 'Look, I’ve got nine children, a farm to run and it’s chaotic.' The 51-year-old farmer, known as The Yorkshire Shepherdess, laughed off the tag while accepting an OK! Beauty Box at the recent TRIC Awards.
From Suburbia to Ravenseat
Owen escaped her suburban upbringing in Huddersfield after college to build a new life in the countryside. She now runs Ravenseat Farm with her ex-husband Clive and their nine children, aged nine to 25. The family's life is documented in Our Yorkshire Farm and the More4 spin-off Our Farm Next Door: Amanda, Clive And Kids.
'Everything that is usable for an animal, is usable for me. There are some things that you just cannot disguise,' she joked about needing beauty products on the farm.
Embracing the Chaos
Despite the 'sex symbol' label, Owen remains grounded. 'You reach an age where you just have to be yourself,' she said. She enjoys occasional glamorous outings, adding, 'I’m overjoyed to be here today instead of throwing hay bales.'
At the TRIC Awards, Owen presented the Best Factual Entertainment award to Clarkson's Farm, highlighting the public's growing appetite for farming shows. 'If you can educate people through entertainment, that’s exactly how you should do it,' she said.
Co-Parenting and Resilience
Owen and Clive separated in 2022 after 22 years of marriage but continue to co-parent amicably and collaborate on farming projects. 'People assume that because I’m separated from my husband Clive, things are harder, but in fact it’s the opposite,' she explained. 'We have two farms that are basically next door to each other.'
She acknowledged the challenges of single parenting and public scrutiny. 'That’s the price you pay. You can’t have it all one way, you have to take the rough with the smooth. If there’s one thing farming teaches you, it’s resilience.'
Dealing with Online Negativity
Owen faces both support and negativity online but focuses on the positive. 'I’ve got nine children who are all independent souls, working hard, and that’s what the whole programme is about. It’s about the next generation, and it oozes positivity.'
When her children alert her to online comments, she responds: 'What now? I’ve ridden a horse in a bikini? Yes, I did and I put it up online and I am proud!'
