Adam Henson, beloved presenter of BBC’s Countryfile, has opened up about a profoundly moving family moment—the fulfillment of his late father Joe’s dying wish. While many know Adam as the face of British countryside television for over two decades, his true passion lies in farming and championing British agriculture, a dedication he proudly inherited from his father.
Joe Henson, founder of the renowned Cotswold Farm Park in 1971, laid the foundation of a legacy that would welcome around 100,000 visitors each year and serve as a sanctuary for 50 rare breeds of sheep. Adam was just six years old when Joe established the farm and has carried on the family tradition since taking over with business partner Duncan Andrews in 1999. Today, the 650-hectare farm is home to a variety of animals alongside its prized sheep breeds.
Joe, whom Adam fondly remembers as his “rock, mentor and hero,” died in 2015 after a brave battle with cancer. On the Cannon Hall Farm podcast, Adam shared a touching story about Joe’s final request, explaining the shepherd’s tradition of placing a lock of wool in their hand upon death—a symbolic key to the Pearly Gates, as shepherds spend their lives outdoors rather than in church.
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Adam fulfilled this poignant wish by placing a lock of fleece from his favourite ewe—a sheep noted for having the best wool—into his father’s hand before burial. Joe’s coffin was made of wool, making the gesture even more heartfelt. “It was something he requested, and it was a very moving thing to do,” Adam recalled.
Reflecting on his father’s influence in a 2016 interview with The Guardian, Adam described their relationship as exceptionally close, highlighting how Joe taught him nearly everything about farming and television. Years later, Adam sees himself embodying many of Joe’s qualities. In a 2019 conversation with The Mirror, he expressed pride in being loving, open, and supportive with his own children, daughter Ella and son Alfie, encouraging them to learn from all of life’s experiences and uphold strong values.
Adam’s career began in earnest when he won a national search for new Countryfile presenters in 2001. Since then, his broadcasting roles have expanded to include shows like Countryfile Summer Diaries, Inside Out, and BBC Radio 4 programmes On Your Farm and Farming Today.
On April 26, Adam returns to BBC One at 6pm with a new episode of Countryfile. Alongside Sammi Kinghorn, he explores the Vale of Evesham, an area celebrated for its fertile soils and temperate climate, making it one of Britain’s most productive agricultural regions. The episode also features Charlotte Smith’s report on the challenges dairy farmers face amid falling milk prices, with some forced to leave the industry.