12 December 2023 , 11:54
719
0
Winter on the Farm host Helen Skelton has been widely praised after offering support to co-star Jules Hudson over a triple family heartache.
Jules, who previously presented BBC's Escape to the Country, lost his 93-year old dad Clifford last year, before his two pet Labradors passed away from cancer in the months that followed. In Monday's episode on Channel 5, meanwhile, the 53-year old became emotional as he reflected on a difficult 12 months during a mental health stroll in the winter sun.
On his return to Cannon Hill Farm, Helen, 40, placed her arm around him and sympathised: "I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm so sorry as your friends... as adults you don't sit down and talk about this stuff... because you're a stiff upper lip kind of guy."
Jules Hudson lost his 93-year old dad Clifford last year (Channel 5)Telling Helen about his walk in the Forest of Dean, he explained: "I think a walk like that, getting out into the natural world, allows you to get rid of all the day-to-day distractions most of us rely upon to cheer us up. You confront these things and it was quite emotional."
Jules previously detailed his grief at the loss of Clifford: "I don’t think you ever quite prepare yourself for it," he admitted. "I haven’t experienced a huge personal loss like that in my life. I’m lucky to have got through to my 50s before having to confront these things.
Our Yorkshire Farm's Amanda Owen sparks concern with 'crumbling' Ravenseat pics
"This man who’s been there for me suddenly isn’t anymore. I made the mistake of trying to put it to the back of my mind. With all the stuff that comes with the loss of somebody very close to you, there’s a horrible amount of administration that you have to go through.
He continued: "I probably didn’t spend enough time dealing with it. I find myself now having to catch up a bit, and it’s catching me quite unaware. You can get quite emotional when you least expect it."
Following the show, viewers took to X (formerly Twitter) to pay tribute to Countryfile star Helen for her comforting words. "Watching Winter on the Farm. How wonderful is Helen Skelton looking after Jules," declared one user.
Another commented: "Great show Helen You and Jules work so well together. A third added: "Congratulations @HelenSkelton @thejuleshudson and everyone else involved in Winter On The Farm on @channel5_uk absolutely loved the opening episode of the new series tonight. So watchable and entertaining."
Earlier this month Helen announced an exciting new career update as she revealed her new job after quitting her BBC Radio 5 Live show because she was worried she wasn't seeing her children enough. The former Strictly star stepped down from her weekend talk show earlier this year.
Now, she has revealed she will be permanently hosting BBC One's Morning Live on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdays every week from January. That will leave the busy mum plenty of time to take care of Ernie, eight, Louis, six, and Elsie, 20 months, who she shares with former England rugby star husband Richie Myler.