BBC TV legend gives insight into ‘end-of-life’ plans

The presenter has hosted the BBC’s iconic Countryfile programme for 25 years, having initially got the gig back in 2001.

Born and raised on his family’s Bemborough Farm in the Cotswolds, Mr Henson has become one of the country’s best‑known farmers onscreen.

Away from television, the 60‑year‑old runs Cotswold Farm Park near Guiting Power, where he welcomes thousands of visitors each year.

READ MORE: Adam Henson praises Jeremy Clarkson after meeting him at Cotswolds pub

Cotswold Gate home manager Angelika Ziomek with Adam Henson. (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Henson had an exclusive chat with the Oxford Mail this week at Porthaven’s Cotswold Gate care home in Burford.

The TV star was visiting to give a talk about his life with dogs over the years, and stopped to sign books afterwards.

Praising the care home, the 60-year-old remarked at how he loved the place and joked to the audience that he needed to put his deposit down to join.

In the talk with this newspaper afterwards, Mr Henson added: “It’s an absolute joy.

READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson in tears as he’s forced to say ‘hard goodbye’

Adam Henson giving the talk at Cotswold Gate in Burford. (Image: Cotswold Gate)

“I’ve driven up to the one in Derbyshire in the past as well as the one in Cheltenham, and then this is my second visit here.

“This one is just 20 minutes from home, and coming through Burford is gorgeous.

“The home is beautifully capped and decorated, and I was sitting in this room that has amazing wallpaper, thinking ‘I’d quite like this in my house’.

“The interior design of these places is so lovely, and I’m getting to an age when I’m starting to think about my end-of-life, and where I’ll go and what I’ll do and what it’s going to be like.

READ MORE: Boris Johnson wins fight to cut down tree at £3.8m Oxfordshire manor

Cotswold Gate care home in Burford. (Image: Newsquest)

“I’m hoping my children will be rich enough to pay for me to go into a very nice home like this!

“It’s a gorgeous place, and to be welcomed at the door was lovely, and everybody’s been so helpful, getting me cups of tea and all the tech work [with the talk’s presentation].

“So, you know I’m not just saying it, but it’s pretty faultless really.”

Mr Henson also complimented the crowd, appreciating the small-style venue, which made for a more personal event.

READ MORE: Mary Berry talks turning 91 after finding ‘joy’ at retirement home

Adam Henson has been on BBC’s Countryfile for 25 years. (Image: Joe Giddens / PA)

“They were a really lovely audience, we had some laughs and some very good questions,” he said.

“It was quite intimate because there weren’t too many people in the room, so it’s quite engaging and, catching people’s eyes, you know you’re getting a reaction.

“You’re interacting with everyone around you in the room rather than when you’re speaking to hundreds of people, so it was lovely.”

We will have more articles coming out from this interview over the weekend and throughout next week on both the Oxford Mail and Witney Gazette.