Reuben Owen Life in the Dales stars reflect on devastating family tragedy

Two stars from Channel 5's Life in the Dales opened up about family losses on Brough Castle Farm. The episode featured Jess and her father Dave reflecting on their farming heritage and tragedies shaping their lives.

During the lambing episode, Jess rescued multiple newborns as she discussed her passion for work passed down from her father. She reflected: "It's hard work this time of year lambing A lot of hours but when you have something like that it puts a smile on your face and the sun is shining it's wonderful There's not another place where I d want to be."

Dave's path was shaped by tragedy. When his father Thomas was diagnosed with leukaemia, Dave was just fourteen and stepped up to help the family farm. "I was only 16 when he died," Dave shared. He recalled: "I m very similar to you when I was little I was just like you wanting to be on the farm When I was at school my dad was ill so I missed a lot of school." Dave said: "You just have to keep going Even if my dad hadn't been ill I would have still taken up farming I loved it I loved cows just like you do."

Jess visited her grandfather George's grave. George died in 2018 at seventy, having inherited Brough Castle Farm at eighteen. When meeting her grandmother, Jess said: "Ever since I was small we ve always done jobs as a family really Nana has always been there helping out I miss grandad I miss grandad It's not the same anymore since he died."