SPRINGTIME on the Farm has returned for a brand new series during one of the busiest times of the year for farmers.
Jules Hudson and Helen Skelton hosted the Channel 5 series, after rival show Autumnwatch was axed by the BBC.
Who hosts Springtime on the Farm?
Hosts Jules Hudson and Helen Skelton welcomed back viewers of the popular Channel 5 show to celebrate farmers during their busiest season.
The first episode of season seven kicked off on April 15, but left fans furious as it was not broadcast live. So who are presenters Jules, Helen, and JB?
Jules Hudson
Jules is famous for presenting the BBC show Escape to the Country for the past 18 years.
He joined the team in 2007 and regularly appeared on This Week on the Farm alongside Helen.
The archaeologist was also the original presenter on BBC One’s Britain’s Empty Homes between 2010 to 2012.
The 53-year-old has dubbed himself a ‘keen countryman and craftsman’ who enjoys his filming breaks by renovating his unique period property and magical garden.
Helen Skelton
Helen is best known for presenting children’s programmes Newsround and Blue Peter, but she grew up on a dairy farm.
She announced her departure from the show in August 2013 and was replaced by Radzi Chinyanganya.
After she left the children’s magazine programme, she became a presenter of live FA Women’s Super League football matches for the BT Sport channel.
Helen has also been a presenter on Countryfile and reported on rugby for Channel 4.
She also hosts Winter on the Farm on Channel 5.
JB Gill
JB shot to fame as a member of the boy band JLS but following his pop career turned to his true passion – farming.
He has a life-long love of nature and the outdoors – born from his early years as a child growing up in beautiful Antigua.
He now produces turkey and pork from his farm in the Kent countryside where he lives with wife Chloe Tangney and his two young children.
As well as This Week on the Farm, he has also hosted Springtime On The Farm and Big Week At The Zoo.
Alongside the three hosts are British Farming Award winners Rob and Dave Nicholson, who are regular guests on the show.
What is Springtime on the Farm about?
Channel 5’s Springtime on the Farm sees British farmers document their journey through the lambing and Spring season.
Based in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, Cannon Hall Farm was first asked to be the host farm of the series after Channel 5’s producers watched their popular live broadcasts on social media.
The show, produced by Daisybeck Studios, has been a staple for viewers across the UK since broadcasting its first episode in 2018 to chart the life of farmers.
In season seven of Springtime on the Farm, the fan-favourite hosts joined brothers Rob and Dave at Cannon Hall Farm in South Yorkshire as they prepared for lambing season with their 250-strong flock.
Meanwhile, JB Gill investigates the healing power of nature as he participates in the dawn chorus.
Vet Rohin Aojula headed off to West Midlands Safari Park to meet a young Sumatran tiger.
When is Springtime on the Farm on Channel 5?
The first episode of the new series aired on Monday, April 15, at 8pm and runs every night Monday to Friday.
In March 2024, Jules shared a beaming snap on his Instagram and wrote: “Springtime on the Farm 2024 is confirmed.
“More details will follow, but in the comments below, let me know what your favourite bits have been over the last seven years.”
The confirmation of season seven comes following the announcement that rival BBC show, Autumnwatch, was axed from screens.
Fans of the beloved nature programme were left stunned when the Beeb announced it had been dropped from schedules last year.
The BBC faced a massive backlash from nature fans following their decision to axe Autumnwatch.
More than 100 complaints were lodged with the broadcaster, prompting them to defend its cancellation.
However in winter 2023, Autumnwatch joined forces with The One Show to screen three specials.
At the time, the BBC teased: “Viewers will see a variety of natural wonders, including the largest colony of Greater Horseshoe Bats in the UK, the annual red deer rut in the New Forest and the sounds of Tawny owls in Kielder Forest, Northumberland.
“Each VT will highlight the annual changes in animal behaviours throughout Autumn, as well as the work being done to protect the environment and local wildlife.”
How to watch Springtime on the Farm?
You can catch Springtime on the Farm from April 15 to April 19 at 8pm on Channel 5.
It will be available an hour later on Channel 5+1 as well as on demand.