Countryfile star to talk at theatre

And Adam Henson is able to combine his two loves, farming and presenting when he appears on prime time BBC One show Countryfile.

The 51-year-old was picked as a presenter for the hit show back in 2001 after beating off thousands of other applicants, but never in his dreams did he expect to still be presenting a slot 16 years on.

The show has gone from a half hourly programme on a Sunday afternoon to an hour long show attracting up to 10 million viewers.

And his slot, Adam's Farm, is one of the show's favourites.

Initially it followed Adam as he worked on the rare breeds farm high in the Cotswolds. But his wings have spread and now he presents segments meeting farmers across the British Isles to talk about their farming methods and life experiences.

And he is heading to Shrewsbury in September to tell an audience at Theatre Severn of his career as a farmer, presenter, businessman and his thoughts on British agriculture.

Speaking to the Shropshire Star Adam said: "I am looking forward to my visit to Shrewsbury. I came in 2015 and it is great to talk to everyone about my life and career in farming, particularly in such a farming county."

Adam runs the popular Cotswold Farm Park in Guiting Power with his business partner Duncan Andrews. "We have had quite a programme of growth this year on the farm. We wanted to invest and improve it. I am really continuing my dad's legacy. He started the farm in 1971 and it has developed since then. Now we have more than 50 rare breeds and 145,000 visitors each year. He died in 2015 and I like to think he would be proud of what we have done."

Filming takes Adam away from his partner Charlie and children Ella and Alfie for two or three nights a week, something which has changed from his early days on Countryfile when it was just two days a month. "My family are very understanding. I try not to do too much on the farm in the evenings when I am here and we take a family holiday each year. Like many working families we juggle working life as best we can.

"I am very privileged to be in the position I am.People are becoming more in tune with farming and food production and that is what I like to present. It is comforting that the BBC want to back shows like this. I love doing Countryfile. Farmers are terrible for looking over walls as they drive around wondering what that particular farmer is doing with his land, and now I get the chance to go and chat with them. My job is always interesting and I meet some great characters. We have got some great farmers and there is always something interesting to report on and the farmers get the chance to tell their stories."

Adam will be appearing at Theatre Severn on September 21. Tickets are available from the box office on 01743 281281.