The 22-year-old first became a household name alongside parents Amanda Owen and Clive Owen on Our Yorkshire Farm, before going on to front his own successful Channel 5 series, Reuben Owen: Life in the Dales.

What has Reuben Owen said about his future on screen?

The Owen family from Our Yorkshire Farm and Our Farm Next Door (Image: CHANNEL4)

Since the original programme ended, Reuben has emerged as the Owen family’s breakout star while building his contracting and excavation business in the Yorkshire Dales.

Despite his growing profile, Reuben insists television is not his future.

In an interview with the Telegraph in 2025, Reuben said: “I don’t want a career on television; I want to be known as the guy who digs big holes; my current ambition is to buy a 50-ton excavator. Now that really would be the realisation of a dream.

“I think the next thing we need to think about is getting somewhere a bit better to keep all these machines, and hopefully somewhere for me to live as well.

“That’s the dream next. Get myself a yard and a house. We’ll have to see what the future holds.”

Reuben Owen’s television journey

(Left to right) Violet, Clemmy, Reuben, Sidney, Annas, Edith, Miles, Nancy, and Raven starring in the More4 series Our Farm Next Door (Image: Channel 4/PA Wire)

Reuben first appeared on Our Yorkshire Farm, the Channel 5 series that followed life at the Owen family’s remote hill farm in the Yorkshire Dales.

After the show wrapped up in 2022, he moved into his first spin-off, Beyond the Yorkshire Farm: Reuben & Clive, alongside his dad, Clive Owen, documenting the pair working on various projects across the countryside.

His television career then took another step forward when he was handed his own Channel 5 programme, Reuben Owen: Life in the Dales in 2024, charting the growth of his contracting business and life working in rural Yorkshire.

In May, Channel 5 premiered the third series of Life in the Dales, following Reuben, girlfriend Jess and the wider team through a range of agricultural projects.

Will he return to TV screens?

Reuben Owen: Life in the Dales (Image: CHANNEL 5)

Despite insisting he does not want to become a television personality, Reuben shows no sign of leaving the cameras behind just yet.

While Channel 5 has yet to reveal whether Life in the Dales will return for a fourth season, reports suggest Reuben has already lined up another television role outside the programme.

While details are still under wraps, the role highlights broadcasters’ continued interest in working with the young contractor.

Reuben Owen (Image: CHANNEL 4)

The 22-year-old also continues to feature in Our Farm Next Door: Amanda, Clive and Kids, which follows the family’s restoration of the neighbouring property known as Anty John’s.

Reuben has made it clear that farming and machinery work, rather than life in the spotlight, remain at the heart of his future.

He has also said he wants to keep farming and values it even more after spending less time on the family farm.

While some were born in the county, others grew up here or developed strong links with the region before going on to find fame.

Here are some of the best-known celebrities with connections to County Durham.

Mark Gatiss

Born in Sedgefield, Mark Gatiss has become one of Britain’s most successful television writers and actors.

He first rose to prominence as a member of cult comedy troupe The League of Gentlemen before going on to co-create the hugely successful BBC drama Sherlock with Steven Moffat.

His long list of credits also includes Doctor Who, Dracula, Game of Thrones and The Crown, cementing his reputation as one of the UK’s leading creative talents.

(Image: PA)

Rowan Atkinson

Few comedians are as instantly recognisable as Rowan Atkinson, who was born in Consett.

Atkinson is best known around the world for creating the iconic character Mr Bean, whose largely silent comedy made him a global star.

He also starred as Edmund Blackadder in the beloved BBC sitcom Blackadder and has enjoyed a lengthy career across television, film and stage productions.

(Image: BBC / PA)

Jeff Stelling

Veteran broadcaster Jeff Stelling remains one of the most popular figures in British sports television.

The Hartlepool-born presenter became a household name through Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday, fronting the programme for nearly 30 years before stepping down in 2023.

He has also presented Champions League coverage, hosted Countdown and remains a familiar voice in football broadcasting.

(Image: PA)

Stephen Tompkinson

Middlesbrough-born actor Stephen Tompkinson spent much of his childhood in County Durham and remains closely associated with the North East.

He is known for starring in hit television dramas including DCI Banks, Wild at Heart, Ballykissangel and Drop the Dead Donkey.

Away from television, he has also appeared in films such as Brassed Off and numerous stage productions.

(Image: PA)

Scarlett Moffatt

Bishop Auckland’s Scarlett Moffatt shot to fame on Channel 4’s Gogglebox, where her humour quickly made her a viewer favourite.

Her popularity grew further when she won I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in 2016.

Since then, Moffatt has enjoyed a successful television career, presenting a range of entertainment and factual programmes while remaining one of the North East’s best-known TV personalities.

Matt Baker

Matt Baker, who grew up on a farm near Easington, is one of the country’s most recognisable broadcasters.

After becoming a presenter on Blue Peter, he went on to host The One Show alongside Alex Jones and has been a regular face on Countryfile for more than a decade.

In recent years, he has continued to champion rural life and farming communities through television projects produced by his own company.

(Image: Paul Stuart/PA)

Sara Davies

Businesswoman Sara Davies has become one of County Durham’s biggest success stories.

The Coundon entrepreneur founded crafting company Crafter’s Companion while still a student and went on to build it into an international business.

She joined BBC programme Dragon’s Den in 2019 as its youngest-ever female investor and has since become a regular television personality, including a memorable run on Strictly Come Dancing.

(Image: BBC)

Ben Stokes

Although born in Christchurch, New Zealand, England cricket captain Ben Stokes has strong County Durham connections.

He moved to the North East as a child and developed his game through Durham’s cricketing system before progressing to international stardom.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders of his generation, Stokes has played a pivotal role in England’s successes in both Test and one-day cricket.

Alun Armstrong

Actor Alun Armstrong grew up in Annfield Plain and has enjoyed a distinguished career spanning more than five decades.

The former Royal Shakespeare Company performer has appeared in a huge range of productions, including New Tricks, Oliver Twist, Vanity Fair and Little Dorrit.

His versatility has made him one of the North East’s most respected acting exports.

(Image: PA)

Denise Welch

Although she was born in Tynemouth, actress and television presenter Denise Welch spent much of her childhood in Ebchester, near Consett, giving her strong County Durham connections.

Welch trained at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts before going on to enjoy a successful acting career spanning more than four decades.

She is best known for playing Natalie Barnes in Coronation Street, a role that earned her widespread recognition, as well as appearances in Waterloo Road.

Away from acting, she became one of the most recognisable panellists on ITV’s Loose Women, where she openly spoke about mental health, addiction and life in the public eye.

Welch is also known as the mother of The 1975 frontman Matty Healy, with the family maintaining strong North East links despite her national television career.

(Image: BBC)

Gina McKee

Peterlee-born Gina McKee is one of County Durham’s most acclaimed actresses.

After beginning her career in television dramas during the late 1980s and early 1990s, she gained widespread recognition for her role as Alison Braithwaite in BBC drama Our Friends in the North.

Her career has since included appearances in major productions such as Notting Hill, Atonement, Phantom Thread, The Borgias and Bodyguard.

Known for her versatility on screen and stage, McKee remains one of the county’s most successful acting exports.

(Image: Ruth Crafer Photography)

County Durham’s star power

County Durham’s list of famous faces stretches far beyond these names.

From television stars and actors to entrepreneurs and sporting heroes, the county continues to produce people who make their mark nationally and internationally.

Whether it is a global comedy icon from Consett, a television favourite from Bishop Auckland or an England cricket captain developed through Durham’s ranks, the region has no shortage of celebrity connections to celebrate.

Corrie McQueen, 29, and Martin Patterson, 44, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, September 21.

Two men have appeared in court charged with murder following the gunshot death of a dad in Armadale.

Corrie McQueen, 29, and Martin Patterson, 44, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court earlier today, Monday, September 21 charged with murder after Billy Watson, 35, died at the scene of an incident in the West Lothian town on Saturday, September 12. McQueen and Patterson, both of Armadale, were also charged with attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

Both men made no plea and were remanded in custody while the case was committed for further examination. They are both due to reappear in court within the next eight days.

In total, three men have now been charged with murder following Billy’s death. Last week, Frank McCarthy, 57, appeared at Livingston Sheriff Court charged with murder and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

Emergency services were called to Harestanes Road in Armadale after dad Billy was found seriously injured at around 11.50am on Saturday, September 12.

Police previously confirmed his death is being treated as murder after results of a post-mortem revealed the father suffered fatal injuries consistent with being shot by a firearm.

Police Scotland appealed for information on four people who were seen in the area at the time. Cops were also looking for information of the routes of a blue BMW and a black Vauxhall Mokka.

There were no further injuries. Images taken from the scene of Billy’s death showed a significant police presence in the area.

BEST SOAP

Coronation Street

BEST ACTRESS

Vicky Myers (Lisa Connor-Swain, Coronation Street) – WINNER

Diane Parish (Denise Fox, EastEnders)

Emma Atkins (Charity Dingle, Emmerdale)

Alex Fletcher (Diane Hutchinson, Hollyoaks)

Emily Weir (Mackenzie Booth, Home and Away)

BEST ACTOR

Gareth Pierce (Todd Grimshaw, Coronation Street) – WINNER

Paul Bradley (Nigel Bates, EastEnders)

Jeff Hordley (Cain Dingle, Emmerdale)

Danny Mac (Dodger Savage, Hollyoaks)

Ethan Browne (Tane Parata, Home and Away)

BEST COMIC PERFORMANCE

Chris Coghill (Kev Barton, Emmerdale) – WINNER

Amy Robbins (Christina Boyd, Coronation Street)

Pierre Counihan-Moullier (Oscar Branning, EastEnders)

Nicole Barber-Lane (Myra McQueen, Hollyoaks)

Shane Withington (John Palmer, Home and Away)

BEST VILLAIN

James Cartwright (Theo Silverton, Coronation Street) – WINNER

Ronni Ancona (Bea Pollard, EastEnders)

Joe Absolom (Ray Walters, Emmerdale)

Anna Passey (Sienna Blake, Hollyoaks)

Sara Wiseman (Kerrie Matheson, Home and Away)

BEST YOUNG PERFORMER

Jude Riordan (Sam Blakeman, Coronation Street) – WINNER

Max Murray (Joel Marshall, EastEnders)

Amelia Flanagan (April Windsor, Emmerdale)

Oscar Curtis (Lucas Hay, Hollyoaks)

Nathan Murray (Cohen Luthor, Home and Away)

BEST NEWCOMER

Chris Coghill (Kev Barton, Emmerdale) – WINNER

Olivia Frances-Brown (Jodie Ramsey, Coronation Street)

Pierre Counihan-Moullier (Oscar Branning, EastEnders)

Tisha Merry (Gemma Johnson, Hollyoaks)

Jeremy Lindsay Taylor (David Langham, Home and Away)

BEST EXIT

Daniel Brocklebank (Billy Mayhew, Coronation Street) – WINNER

Paul Bradley (Nigel Bates, EastEnders)

Joe Absolom (Ray Walters, Emmerdale)

Alex Fletcher (Diane Hutchinson, Hollyoaks)

Lynne McGranger (Irene Roberts, Home and Away)

BEST FAMILY

The Dingles (Emmerdale) – WINNER

The Driscolls (Coronation Street)

The Brannings (EastEnders)

The Hutchinsons (Hollyoaks)

The Fowlers (Home and Away)

BEST PARTNERSHIP

Alison King & Vicky Myers (Carla & Lisa Connor-Swain, Coronation Street) – WINNER

Steve McFadden & Paul Bradley (Phil Mitchell & Nigel Bates, EastEnders)

Jeff Hordley & Natalie J Robb (Cain & Moira Dingle, Emmerdale)

Kieron Richardson & Jonny Labey (Ste Hay & Rex Gallagher, Hollyoaks)

Ada Nicodemou & James Stewart (Leah Patterson & Justin Morgan, Home and Away)

BEST STORYLINE

Todd’s abuse at the hands of Theo (Coronation Street) – WINNER

Nigel’s dementia & final goodbye (EastEnders)

Bear’s modern slavery nightmare (Emmerdale)

Diane’s ovarian cancer (Hollyoaks)

Irene’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis (Home and Away)

BEST SHOWSTOPPER

Corriedale (Coronation Street & Emmerdale) – WINNER

Nigel’s 90s special (EastEnders)

Return to Brookside Close (Hollyoaks)

The train crash (Home and Away)

BEST DRAMA STAR

Adam Thomas (Donte Charles, Waterloo Road) – WINNER

Lindsey Coulson (Stella Drake, Waterloo Road)

Elinor Lawless (Stevie Nash, Casualty)

William Beck (Dylan Keogh, Casualty)

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT

Alex Fletcher (Diane Hutchinson, Hollyoaks)

SOAP SUPERSTAR

Diane Parish (Denise Fox, EastEnders)

INSIDE SOAP AWARDS HALL OF FAME

Claire King (Kim Tate, Emmerdale)

The impressive property in Heighington boasts five to six bedrooms, multiple reception rooms, a conservatory, double and single garages, and extensive gardens with countryside views.

The three-storey house offers space for large families, home workers or buyers wanting extra room to entertain.

(Image: RIGHTMOVE)

At the heart of the home is a spacious kitchen and breakfast room overlooking the rear garden, while a large double reception room provides both sitting and dining areas. French doors open onto a terrace and conservatory, creating a seamless connection between the indoor and outdoor living spaces.

(Image: RIGHTMOVE)

(Image: RIGHTMOVE)

The ground floor also has a study, dining room, snug, utility room and cloakroom.

(Image: RIGHTMOVE)

The first floor has four bedrooms.

(Image: RIGHTMOVE)

The principal bedroom has a six-piece en-suite with a jacuzzi bath, while the guest bedroom has its own five-piece en-suite.

The remaining bedrooms share a family bathroom with a separate bath and shower.

(Image: RIGHTMOVE)

The second floor has two more bedrooms and a shower room.

One of the rooms is currently used as an entertainment space.

(Image: RIGHTMOVE)

(Image: RIGHTMOVE)

A block-paved driveway provides space for four vehicles and leads to an attached double garage, while the rear has more parking and a separate single garage or workshop.

The gardens have two storage sheds and a raised patio for outdoor dining with views across the grounds.

(Image: RIGHTMOVE)

Heighington, around six miles from Darlington and close to Newton Aycliffe, was named “perfect” during a BBC programme presented by architect Ptolemy Dean in 2006.

The programme looked at the characteristics that make up the ideal English village, with Heighington ultimately judged to be “perfect”.

(Image: STUART BOULTON)

Heighington Parish Council says the judges considered historical features including its defensible layout, steep approach roads and narrow entrances.

(Image: STUART BOULTON)

The home sits on the edge of Heighington, which has two pubs, a grocery store, a church, a village hall and well-regarded schools, and the village is also close to Darlington, Newton Aycliffe and major road links including the A1(M) and A68.

Heighington is centred on a traditional village green, overlooked by Grade I-listed St Michael’s Church, parts of which date from before the Norman Conquest.

The home offers nearly 4,000 square feet of accommodation at a guide price of £750,000.

A judge has warned the teenagers custody is the ‘likely outcome’ for them

Four teenagers have admitted starting a fire which gutted an historic manor house.

Emergency services were called to the Grade II*-listed Rheola House in the Neath Valley on the afternoon of August 18 to find the 10-bedroom property “well alight”.

Subsequent drone footage showed the damage done to the property.

Adjourning the case for pre-sentence reports a judge at Swansea Crown Court told the defendants custody was the “likely outcome” for them.

Kyle Renzoni, aged 18, of Bryn Catwg, Cadoxton, Neath; Ellis Harding, 19, of Rhos Road, Gendros, Swansea; Yian Foster, aged 18, of John Street, Resolven, Neath Valley; and 18-year-old Evan Traynor, of Brithwen Road, Waunarlwydd, Swansea, all pleaded guilty to arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered when the appeared in the dock via videolink for a plea and trial hearing.

The court heard that a 17-year-old boy from Dowlais in Merthyr, who cannot be named due to his age, is being dealt with separately at youth court.

Renzoi pleaded not guilty to an offence of possesison of a bladed article in a public place and the court heard the prosecution would not be seeking a trial in regard to that matter.

The defendants, who are currently being held on remand, were further remanded into custody.

Sentencing was adjourned to December 4 to allow pre-sentence reports to be prepared.

Judge Geraint Walters said: “The indication is cases like this cross the custody threshold – it’s fairly obvious.

“Whether there is any option short of that will have to be determined by the judge.

“But at the moment custody is the likely outcome”

Rheola House – built between 1812 and 1818 – was one of Wales’ most treasured properties and was designed by the famous architect John Nash, whose work includes designs for London’s Marble Arch, Regent Street and Regent’s Park, the redesign of Buckingham Palace, and the remodelling of Brighton’s Royal Pavilion.

The house was awarded the higher level star listing by Cadw as “an important early 19th-century country house in the picturesque tradition”.

The property is currently owned by The Brook Group which had plans to turn it into a hotel, spa, and leisure complex.

Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice.

“I doubt he’d have tried it if a few of the lads were there!”

A video captured on a bike helmet camera shows a female motorcyclist being grabbed by an ‘inappropriate’ man in Manchester’s Northern Quarter as he climbed onto her bike.

Ellie, from Salford, was stationary at traffic lights on Oldham Street when a stranger ran into the road and, without her consent, jumped onto the back of her green Kawasaki ER-6F.

Startled by the man on her bike now grabbing her hips, the 32-year-old gave the intruder a ‘good whack,’ causing him to stumble away towards a group of men stood laughing.

Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter

She can the be heard saying to her friend ‘oh my god, I’m actually shaking’, as she was asked ‘are you alright?’.

“I was so focused on not dropping the bike I genuinely didn’t even process how inappropriate the whole thing was until afterwards,” the shocked primary school worker wrote after the incident.

Advertisement

“Gave him a good whack though, so at least the survival instincts kicked in.”

Charlotte, a friend of Ellie’s who accompanied her during the incident, managed to record the man’s shameless act.

The footage amassed 430k likes online, with Ellie’s caption reading: “Someone come get their grandad. He’s out here touching women and bikes.

“Jokes aside, a man jumping onto a woman’s bike without consent is f***ing weird. I doubt he’d have tried it if a few of the lads were there!”

Many comments slammed the man’s behaviour, one viewer saying “It’s vile what men will do to women just to impress other men.”

Another user commented: “Getting assaulted in broad daylight. Unfortunately not an uncommon experience for us women.”

“This is disgusting oh my god, where do these men get the audacity?” another added.

Kelsey Parker, who was married to Tom Parker of chart-topping boyband The Wanted, shared the news on Instagram with a photograph showing her newborn son’s arm alongside a sign bearing the name River.

Announcing the arrival, she wrote: “Welcome to the world, River. Our little bit of hope.”

The happy news comes after an incredibly difficult period for Kelsey and her partner Will, whose son Phoenix was stillborn at 39 weeks last year.

Speaking publicly about the tragedy earlier this year, Kelsey revealed she gave birth at home and immediately realised something was wrong.

She said: “You could just see that he was no longer with us.”

Kelsey later described the traumatic aftermath, including the arrival of police and being taken to hospital following the loss of her baby.

The podcaster and author announced her latest pregnancy in May, describing her baby as her “rainbow baby” after the heartbreak of losing Phoenix.

In an emotional social media post at the time, she wrote: “A year ago next month, we lost our beautiful baby boy, Phoenix.

“And somehow, through all the heartbreak, it feels like Tom and Phoenix have sent us another little gift from heaven, our little rainbow baby.”

The birth announcement was met with messages of support from a host of celebrities, including Rochelle Humes, Susanna Reid and Holly Hagan-Blyth.

Kelsey shares two children, Aurelia and Bodhi, with Tom Parker, who grew up in Bolton and found fame with The Wanted.

Tom died in March 2022 aged 33 after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.

His death prompted an outpouring of grief from fans across the UK and particularly in his hometown of Bolton, where he remained a much-loved local figure.

The arrival of baby River marks a joyful new chapter for Kelsey and her family following years marked by both profound loss and resilience.

A copy of Harper Lee’s seminal 1960 work was discovered in a box of American books given to Oxfam’s bookshop in Portobello Road, west London.

It has been acquired by the British Library and will join the institution’s national collection.

Shop manager Olivia Haysman-Walker, who established the novel was a first US edition, said: “It could so easily have been missed.

“There were lots of books to work through in the donation, but we recognised To Kill A Mockingbird and thought it was worth taking a closer look.

“We realised quite quickly that we had something really special.

“The dust jacket showed its age, and although it was worn around the edges, the pages inside were in beautiful condition.

“It’s amazing to think that this book has passed through our Oxfam bookshop and into the national collection at the British Library.

“It really has been quite a journey, and it’s a lovely reminder, during Second Hand September, of the kind of treasures that can be hiding among the shelves and donations in our shops.”

Second Hand September is Oxfam’s annual campaign encouraging people to buy second-hand.

Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book tells the story of lawyer Atticus Finch as he defends Tom Robinson, a black man wrongly accused of a raping a white woman.

Her story of racial injustice and childhood innocence, set in Alabama in 1934, has sold more than 40 million copies around the world and has been translated into 40 languages.

The US novelist, who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, died in 2016 at the age of 89.

The majority of incidents involved primary school pupils

Nearly 3000 students were suspended from schools in Cambridgeshire for physically assaulting teachers and other pupils over the last five years, data has revealed.

A total of 2,990 pupils faced suspensions or exclusions from state-maintained schools in Cambridgeshire according to a Freedom of Information Act request. In the 2025/26 academic year there were 635 students suspended or excluded for physical assault against other students or teachers.

The majority of these were primary school students at 510, with 118 incidents in secondary schools and six in special educational needs, or SEND, schools. Cambridgeshire County Council said they do not hold data on whether these were cases of physical assault towards other students or towards teachers.

They also said they don’t record how many of these incidents were referred to the police or reported severe injuries needing medical attention. The number of suspensions or exclusions peaked at 797 during the 2024/25 academic year including 635 at primary schools, 152 at secondary schools and 11 at SEND schools.

It had been steadily increasing from 2021/22 when there were 291 suspensions and exclusions – 223 in primary schools, 68 at secondary schools and none in SEND schools.

Physical assault incidents – exclusions:

The council added the data is only what has been reported by the schools themselves and only as accurate as what they have reported to the council.

They said that moving forward all schools have agreed that the council’s early years and education system (EYES) will capture this data straight from the school.

A Cambridgeshire County Council spokesperson said: “Our teams work closely with school staff and families to keep pupils in school. It is always disappointing when pupils are excluded and it is always a last resort.

“Schools have to follow statutory guidelines and will always look at potential suspensions and exclusions on a case by case basis. We work closely with teaching staff and families to help manage challenging and difficult behaviour and keep pupils in school.”