Countryfile legend says ‘the BBC don’t pay me much’ despite 25 years

The 60-year-old has been starring on the popular BBC programme for a quarter of a century, having initially made his debut back in 2001.

He has now offered an update on his long-term plans for his Cotswold Farm Park, after previously suggesting that leaving the attraction would mark the “end of an era”.

Mr Henson took on the farm from his father Joe, who started running it in 1971 and helped to establish it as a much-loved visitor destination.

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In a recent interview with Cotswold Life, he confirmed he still has at least 10 years left on his farm tenancy, signalling he has no intention of walking away in the near future.

He told the magazine: “We’re still a family-run rural business and a large local employer, with 180 people on the books, all of whom are central to the success of the business.

“My mantra has always been to surround myself with people who can do the job better than I can.”

Mr Henson also recently revealed that he isn’t paid “much” by the BBC for his work on Countryfile.

The TV presenter was recently speaking during a Q&A session alongside fellow farmer Olly Harrison at his Cotswold Farm Park.

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One audience member asked: “You are two of the most important farming storytellers we’ve got in this country, and you both have massive audiences.

“When you wake up in the morning, do you think that’s a job or a responsibility?”

Mr Henson responded: “I don’t think it’s either thing. I think it’s a joy.

“I grew up on this farm, running around pulling on my little wellies, chasing my dad out the door. Farm Park opened in 1971.

“So, as a young boy, you know when this was all happening, and I used to follow him around.

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“And I’d love showing people our newborn lambs, and handing them a baby chick and help bottle-feed a lamb.

“And so I grew up telling farming stories and talking to people about animals. I’m not very bright, I don’t read the news, I’m not very political, but I love telling people farming stories.”

“And then I get the pleasure of travelling all over the UK and into Dysons yesterday watching robots picking strawberries, and that for me is a huge honour and pleasure and a gift, and the BBC don’t pay me much to do it. So, it’s got to be a joy.”

This comes after Mr Henson took a trip to Burford in the west of the county this summer to give a talk at Cotswold Gate Care Home on Forest Grove.