Countryfile presenter Adam Henson has admitted the BBC does not pay him very much, but he considers his role a joy rather than a job or responsibility. The 60-year-old farmer made the comments during a Q&A session with fellow farmer Olly Harrison at the Cotswold Farm Park.
Henson: Telling Farming Stories Is a Joy, Not a Job
An audience member asked Henson and Harrison whether they viewed their role as farming storytellers as a job or a responsibility. The questioner said: "You are two of the most important farming storytellers we've got in this country and you both have massive audiences. When you wake up in the morning, do you think that's a job or a responsibility?"
Henson replied that he had been telling stories about farming his entire life, long before appearing on television. He explained: "I don't think it's either thing. I think it's a joy. I grew up on this farm, running around pulling on my little wellies, chasing my dad out the door. Farm Park opened in 1971."
He added: "So, as a young boy, you know when this was all happening, and used to follow him around. And I'd love showing people our newborn lambs and handing them a baby chick and help the bottle feed a lamb. And so I grew up telling farming stories and talking to people about animals. I'm not very bright, I don't read the news, I'm not very political, but I love telling people farming stories."
BBC Salary Remarks: 'They Don't Pay Me Much'
Henson continued: "And then I get the pleasure of travelling all over the UK and into Dysons yesterday watching robots picking strawberries and that for me is a huge honour and pleasure and a gift and the BBC don't pay me much to do it. So, it's got to be a joy."
Although Henson has spent years championing British farming, his profile has been eclipsed in recent years by the success of Clarkson's Farm and Jeremy Clarkson. Since its debut, the hit series has sparked renewed public interest in farming, drawing comparisons to the impact that Formula 1: Drive to Survive had on Formula 1.
Henson Praises Clarkson's Farm
Henson has previously praised both Clarkson and his series, arguing there is room for both programmes to promote British agriculture. Speaking to the Oxford Mail, he said it was not a case of Clarkson's Farm being better or more important than Countryfile, but that both programmes play an important role in raising awareness of farming in the UK.
He explained: "It seems to me from the people around him and from his own voice that he's really found a passion in farming. He's a great advocate for British agriculture, and he's tied up with some great people who work on the programme with him. Clarkson's Farm is very funny, it's quite theatrical in the way it's produced, but it's brought agriculture and farming to a whole new section of society."
Henson added: "And for me as a farmer who loves telling the story about British agriculture, you've now got programmes like Countryfile and Clarkson's Farm, you've got YouTubers, you've got people on Instagram."
