Vinnie Jones in the Country has reportedly been shelved after three series, despite being a ratings winner for Discovery+. The show, which first aired in November 2023, followed the former footballer and actor, 62, as he managed 2,000 acres of countryside in West Sussex.
Ratings Success but High Costs
The series often topped Discovery+'s charts, but a source told The Sun that it was also very expensive to produce. "Vinnie Jones In The Country was a huge success and was a Discovery+ number one series, but it was also very expensive to make precisely because it is a big show," the insider said.
The future of the series is uncertain as Discovery's parent company Warner Bros is set to be acquired by Paramount. "With deliberations on the sale of Warner Bros ongoing, a lot of big-money commissions are being halted while the purchase goes through," the source added.
Possible Return Elsewhere
Despite the shelving, there is hope for a fourth series or a variation of the show elsewhere. "Only time will tell if it returns for a fourth series, though there is the possibility of the programme — or a variation of it — going elsewhere as Vinnie remains hugely popular with viewers," the insider said.
Over three years, Vinnie, who moved from Los Angeles to West Sussex, undertook renovation projects and ambitious builds while adjusting to farming life. He also shared personal stories about grief and sobriety.
Life-Saving Impact
In late 2024, Vinnie revealed that the show had saved a life. He told Country Life: "A guy came to my gate recently to tell me I'd saved his life. He had been watching an episode where I had been talking about how to keep going through tough times. I believe the real way to man up is to talk about the hard stuff."
Vinnie has been open about his grief following the death of his wife Tanya from cancer in 2019. He said: "We all have a different journey, but grief is roughly the same colour. I hope that with what I’ve been through and the joy I am going through now, I can help."
Tanya was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2013, which later spread to her brain. Vinnie has since found love with partner Emma, who appears in the series. Speaking to The Mirror in 2024, he said: "You know, after four months, four years, five years, 10 years, you just keep moving forwards, the grief is always going to be in there. It's how other things can control it. It's how much the flower can grow and and bloom. I think, for me, grief was always black and grey, but it doesn’t have to be. It can be colours and happy memories. Moving forwards, we meet other people that we are fond of and we fall in love with and vice versa."
The Mirror has contacted Vinnie's representatives for comment.
