Reuben Owen has quickly become a familiar face on British television, thanks to his appearances on Channel 5’s Our Yorkshire Farm and his own series, Life in the Dales. As the son of Amanda and Clive Owen, Reuben grew up immersed in the farming life on the sprawling 2,000-acre Ravenseat estate in Swaledale, North Yorkshire. Now, he’s carving out his own path, managing a machinery business and sharing his rural lifestyle with viewers.
At 22 years old, Reuben’s personal life has attracted as much attention as his farming efforts. He is currently in a relationship with Jessica, a fellow agricultural enthusiast who works on her family’s Brough Castle farm. The couple met at a young farmers’ convention in October 2024 and quickly bonded over their shared farming backgrounds. Jessica recalls, “Ever since we first met, we just clicked. I love him to bits and get on great with his family.” Reuben agrees, admitting to OK magazine, “It took me a while to ask her out, but one night I just asked — and she even had to pay for my dinner because I’d lost my wallet!”
The pair are planning to establish a home together soon, combining their agricultural ambitions. Reuben envisions, “Getting a nice place, maybe a farm where I can park my diggers and she can keep her sheep and cows.” When asked about starting a family, he joked, referencing his own large family: “I don’t think I fancy nine kids, that’s for sure. We’ll see what happens.”
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Before Jessica, Reuben was in a long-term relationship with Sarah Dow, a childhood acquaintance. They shared a close bond, which Reuben publicly celebrated mid-2022 with a heartfelt social media post. However, after nearly two years together, the couple parted ways amicably. Reuben confirmed on ITV’s Lorraine, “We’re no longer together, but we’re still very good friends. Sarah is focused on her own career now but sometimes helps out on the farm.”
Life on the farm comes with its challenges, some more severe than others. Fellow farmer Dave Ellwood, whose daughter Jess is dating Reuben, recounted a terrifying bull-related accident from 15 years ago on Life in the Dales. In that incident, Dave was airlifted to Middlesbrough Hospital with nine broken ribs and a ruptured spleen after a bull charged him into steel girders. Reflecting on the event, Dave said, “Yeah, he made a good job of me.” This story serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved in rural farming life.
Reuben Owen’s journey is a blend of family legacy, personal growth, and embracing the joys and hardships of farming life in the Yorkshire Dales. Fans can continue to follow his story on Life in the Dales, airing every Tuesday at 8:00 pm on Channel 5.