In a candid and emotional revelation, Amanda Owen, the star of Channel 5's hit show Our Yorkshire Farm, has broken her silence on the collapse of her two-decade-long marriage to husband Clive. The separation sent shockwaves through the show's legion of fans and has reshaped life at the remote North Yorkshire farm they built together.
The mother-of-nine described the split as a "cataclysmic" event that was undeniably painful for the entire family. For the first time, she speaks openly about the profound personal upheaval that occurred away from the cameras, which documented their seemingly idyllic life shepherding in the Swaledale valley.
A Life Built Together, Now Changed
The Owens were a television sensation, with viewers captivated by their no-nonsense approach to farming and raising their large family in one of the most beautiful but challenging parts of the country. The success of Our Yorkshire Farm turned Amanda into a bestselling author and a national treasure, synonymous with rural resilience.
However, behind the scenes, their 21-year marriage was fracturing. Amanda has now confirmed that the couple, who wed in 2000, are divorced and living separately on the vast 2,000-acre estate. Clive remains in the main farmhouse, while Amanda has moved into a nearby property on the land, a tangible symbol of their new reality.
Putting the Children First
Amanda’s primary focus throughout the ordeal has been the wellbeing of their children: Raven, Reuben, Miles, Edith, Violet, Sidney, Annas, Clemmy, and Nancy. She admits the situation was incredibly difficult for them but emphasises that they are a strong, tight-knit unit navigating the change together.
"We are a family, we are a team," she stated, highlighting their collective determination to continue working the land and running Ravenseat as they always have, despite the personal changes. The farm's daily rhythms of shepherding, lambing, and farming provide a crucial sense of stability and purpose for everyone involved.
The Future of Our Yorkshire Farm
The future of the BAFTA-nominated documentary series remains uncertain following the separation. The show, which offered a window into their unique life, has been on hiatus since the news of their split emerged. Amanda’s new Channel 5 programme, Amanda Owen’s Farming Lives, sees her travelling across the UK to explore other agricultural stories, a new chapter in her broadcasting career that reflects her own changed circumstances.
Her story is a poignant reminder that life, even in the most picturesque of settings, is complex and often fraught with challenges that television cameras cannot fully capture.
