Clive Owen, star of Our Yorkshire Farm, has spoken candidly about his upcoming hip surgery and what it means for the future of his farm. In a repeated episode of Our Farm Next Door, broadcast on Sunday, Clive opened up about his decision to undergo the operation, which would mean temporarily leaving the farm and stepping back from his farming duties.
Passing the Baton
In an earlier instalment, son Miles took charge of grass-cutting for the very first time — a task Clive was the first to admit was no walk in the park. "It is quite complicated, especially on these awkward fields," he explained, adding, "We are cutting grass today. Now is our time, but the weather has been very unsettled. It is saying we might have three fine days, so we are having a go."
Despite the tricky conditions, Clive could barely hide his pride at watching his son step up. "It is something I have always done, and it's lovely that I am not doing it. So, I am just telling him off, and he is fed up of me already," he chuckled.
Last Day Before Surgery
He reflected warmly on seeing his boys grow into capable young men: "They're grown-up these lads, and it's good for them to take over these jobs. Miles is a young man now so, the mowing is for him." With his trademark mix of wit and plain-speaking, Clive summed up his changing role on the farm: "It's time to pass on the baton and let them do more and more, and that is how it is. I am here to watch over them and annoy them, and we will get there in the end."
That same spirit carried through to the episode aired on Sunday, in which Clive addressed viewers directly ahead of his operation. "I don't want folk to think I just stand around and ponder," he said, before revealing: "Tomorrow, I have got to be in hospital for half 7 in the morning for a new hip. So, I wouldn't say I am really looking forward to it, but that is what's going to happen, so this is my last day for a little while. I'll be back, and I'll just have to tell everyone what to do and drive them all mad."
Praise for His Sons
The episode also showed Clive briefing his sons on keeping the farm ticking over while he recovered — and, true to form, he was quick to laugh at his own shortcomings. "I have definitely been a horrible patient because I am impatient," he conceded. He was full of praise for his lads, saying: "I couldn't have managed without these lads to do what needed doing. So yeah, they have done very well."
Looking ahead, Clive suggested his sons might not need to hand things back at all. "It means from now on they needn't hand the reins back to me, they can just carry on," he said, before joking: "I could find myself redundant." Turning to his son, he grinned: "What do you think, Miley?"
Our Farm Next Door: Amanda, Clive and Kids is available to watch on All4.
