Steve and Jean Green, the couple dubbed Britain's oldest farmers, have been married for over 40 years. Their Channel 5 debut in 2015 made them primetime regulars, and they now feature in the spin-off show The Yorkshire Vet: At Home with the Greens, which celebrates the lives of the oldest working farmers.
Off-screen, the couple's whirlwind romance led to marriage just three months after they met. They share a daughter, Sarah.
A Whirlwind Romance
Jean was born in a wooden hut next to the farm belonging to Steve's father, after he joined the Army and was placed in temporary accommodation. The couple were first introduced when Steve hired Jean's brother for a job.
Aged 27, Jean discovered that a man 23 years her senior was interested in dating her—the man in question was Steve. Their romance led to marriage at St Mary's Church in Thirsk, and soon after, they welcomed their daughter Sarah.
Speaking to The Yorkshire Post, Jean said: "Everybody said it wouldn't last. The best way to a man's heart is through his stomach... We are happy-go-lucky, and we love each other."
Renewing Their Vows
In 2020, the couple celebrated their matrimony by renewing their vows, at an event filmed by The Yorkshire Vet crew. During the vow renewal, Steve expressed his heartfelt emotions to Jean: "Ever since we met 40 years ago, you've made me the happiest man in the world. You mean everything."
The farming duo previously admitted their bond is so strong they haven't spent even a week apart until last year, when Jean went to hospital for an emergency operation.
Life at Stoneybrough Farm
The pair reside at Stoneybrough Farm in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, where they manage a herd of calves, dedicating their days to livestock and their land.
Jean recently shared with The Yorkshire Post: "Farming is not what it used to be and is becoming increasingly difficult to make ends meet. We like the simple life, we get up early and have breakfast then go out and feed the baby animals we have. We come in and light the fire with wood to have a bath. We're always busy as we have about 50 mouths to feed, including 14 and a half cats!"
A Heartbreaking Goodbye
Steve and Jean returned to screens on Saturday (August 15), as they appeared in a repeat of The Yorkshire Vet: A Decade in the Moors and Dales. The episode marked the 10th anniversary of the series, with beloved stars gathering around their TV screens to relive classic stories.
During the special, Steve and Jean looked back on the heartbreaking moment they had to sell their dairy herd. It was back in September 2015 that viewers saw Steve and Jean's world turn upside down.
As he drove to meet Jean in the past episode, Peter Wright explained: "Steve had to go into hospital suddenly for an operation, and sadly, they've said, at his age, he won't be able to continue looking after his cows. Steve was on this farm when James Herriot came to Thirsk. It's a very sad day. Very sad for all of us, because there aren't many people left like Steve and Jeanie."
Looking back on the moment, Peter said: "This was probably the most emotional episode of The Yorkshire Vet."
The herd was due to be collected and sold at auction, and Peter arrived at the farm to check if any of the cows were in calf. With the auction just a few days away and Steve still in hospital, it all got too much for Jean. "I can't bear it," she sobbed.
Despite his illness, Steve was back home in time to say goodbye to the herd. He shared: "I'm very heartbroken, really. But you see, it might be a bit much for me in winter."
