Television presenter Helen Skelton has opened up about the unpredictable nature of filming with animals, stating that she has learned to 'laugh at herself' when mishaps occur and finds the entire experience 'very humbling'.
Embracing the Chaos of Live Television
The 42-year-old star is returning to front another series of Channel 5's popular show Winter on the Farm, which airs at 8pm on Wednesday 10th December. She co-hosts alongside JB Gill and Jules Hudson, documenting life at Cannon Hall Farm in Barnsley. Skelton, a former Blue Peter presenter, expressed her love for live TV's unpredictability, citing moments like being 'eyeballed by an alpaca called Shakira' as what makes her job unique.
When asked about on-set incidents, she told The Mirror: "Oh my God yes, and that's what is brilliant. And that's what people love. When donkey's bite or alpacas spit it's very humbling and it's very grounding and I think if you can't laugh at yourself then you're missing the best joke of all."
From Farm Girl to TV Presenter
Having been brought up on a dairy farm, Skelton hopes the series will educate viewers, especially those from cities, about the real journey of food from farm to table. "I never bought a pint of milk til I was in my twenties!" she revealed, highlighting her rural upbringing. She noted that farming and nature are now gaining more public interest compared to when she was young.
The show, which launched in 2023, also features chef Tim Bilton creating seasonal dishes. This year's episodes will focus on utilising winter crops, sharing wellbeing tips beneficial for wildlife, and exploring how UK and global farmers adapt to seasonal challenges.
A Career Built on Versatility
Since leaving Blue Peter in 2013, Skelton's career has flourished. She joined BBC's Countryfile in 2014 and reached the final of Strictly Come Dancing in 2022 with professional dancer Gorka Marquez. More recently, she has co-presented Yorkshire Great and Small with Dan Walker and is a rotating host on BBC's Morning Live.
Her philosophy of embracing unpredictability, whether from a spitting alpaca or a live broadcast hiccup, continues to endear her to audiences and defines her approach to both television and life.