Adam Henson has revealed how close he came to missing out on his iconic role as a presenter on the BBC’s Countryfile, with bosses initially preferring Ben Fogle for the job.
In 2001, after a rigorous search that attracted over 3,500 hopefuls, Adam landed the coveted spot as a presenter on the popular rural affairs program. At the time, the show sought a fresh face deeply connected to the countryside to bring authenticity to its coverage.
Adam’s farming roots run deep. Alongside his business partner Duncan Andrews, he took over the lease of Bemborough Farm in Gloucestershire in 1998 from his father Joe Henson. The farm produces wheat, spring barley, oilseed rape, and commercial sheep, while also operating the well-loved Cotswold Farm Park, which draws around 70,000 visitors annually.
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On the Tweedl podcast, Adam recounted how he was initially reluctant to enter the world of television. Encouraged by his wife Charlotte, who works in TV, and his father Joe, he submitted an application tape that was professionally filmed and edited by Charlotte.
Despite progressing through the massive applicant pool, Adam’s application was eventually transformed from a straightforward job opportunity into a competition to “have a go” at presenting. This shift nearly dissuaded him from continuing.
He explained, “It got down to the final three candidates, then a viewer vote was held. I was told I’d won a chance to present for a day and meet John Craven. I was thrilled but thought I’d already secured the job. When they said it was only a competition, I nearly pulled out.”
Adam turned to his father for advice, who urged him to attend anyway and make the most of the opportunity. “Dad said, ‘Go along, make the tea, carry the tripod—you never know, you might enjoy it,’” Adam recalled.
Behind the scenes, BBC commissioners were considering Ben Fogle, who had recently gained recognition from the reality show Castaway 2000, as a potential presenter. They viewed Ben as the “new face” for Countryfile, hoping to inject fresh appeal into the program.
Fortunately for Adam, BBC insiders ultimately stood by him. He made an impressive debut and has since become a staple of the show.
Ben Fogle, now 51, was eventually dropped from Countryfile in 2009 when the program moved to a prime-time slot, leaving Adam and John Craven as the main presenters. Ben returned briefly for two stints before departing permanently in 2018.
Today, Adam continues to bring authentic rural stories to audiences. This week on Countryfile, airing at 6pm on BBC One, he focuses on introducing bees to his farm to support crop pollination and help prevent failure.