Emotional Winter on the Farm viewers praise Helen Skelton as she supports Jules Hudson after family
WINTER On The Farm host Helen Skelton supported co-star Jules Hudson on tonight's show as he opened up about his triple family heartache.
The TV presenter, 53, lost his dad Clifford 12 months ago followed by his two beloved pet Labradors to cancer just months later.
On tonight's show he grew emotional as he reflected on their passing while on a solo rural walk in the winter sunshine in the Forest of Dean.
After the segment back at Cannon Hall Farm, South Yorks, Helen wrapped an arm around her tearful co-star and said: "I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm so sorry as your friends... as adults you don't sit down and talk about this stuff... because you're a stiff upper lip kind of guy."
Prior to the show airing, Jules admitted that when his father passed away he found it difficult to process the feelings of grief, choosing instead to focus on the practical tasks at hand.
He shared: "I don’t think you ever quite prepare yourself for it. I haven’t experienced a huge personal loss like that in my life.
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"I’m lucky to have got through to my 50s before having to confront these things.
"This man who’s been there for me suddenly isn’t anymore. I made the mistake of trying to put it to the back of my mind.
"With all the stuff that comes with the loss of somebody very close to you, there’s a horrible amount of administration that you have to go through.
"I probably didn’t spend enough time dealing with it. I find myself now having to catch up a bit, and it’s catching me quite unaware.
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"You can get quite emotional when you least expect it."
He made it clear that the death of his dogs also affected him a huge amount, adding: "You absolutely can put the death of a pet on a par with people. They are a huge part of our lives."
During tonight's episode Jules said being in nature, surrounded by giant redwoods, helped him confront his grief.
He said: "I think a walk like that, getting out into the natural world, allows you to get rid of all the day-to-day distractions most of us rely upon to cheer us up.
"You confront these things and it was quite emotional."
Helen's comforting words came just at the right time, and viewers loved to see the duo's strong bond.
One commented on X: "Watching Winter on the Farm. How wonderful is Helen Skelton looking after Jules."
Another said: "Congratulations @HelenSkelton @thejuleshudson
and everyone else involved in Winter On The Farm on
@channel5_uk absolutely loved the opening episode of the new series tonight. So watchable and entertaining."
A third wrote: "I love winter on the farm."
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