Reuben Owen, star of Life in the Dales, has returned to our screens with his partner, Jessica Ellwood, showcasing not just his life as a farmer, but his blossoming relationship. As the couple navigates the ups and downs of life on a 2,000-acre family farm in North Yorkshire, viewers are gaining a deeper insight into both their personal and professional lives.
Reuben, 22, made his first appearance alongside his family on Our Yorkshire Farm before branching out to the Life In The Dales series, which follows his journey in running a successful machinery business at Ravenseat, the farm his parents, Clive and Amanda Owen, have operated for years. Now, fans can see how he juggles his farming career with the love he shares with Jessica, who works on her family’s Brough Castle farm in Cumbria.
Since getting together in October 2024, Reuben and Jessica have been sharing their relationship with fans through social media, posting loving snapshots from Valentine’s Day, their anniversary, and even festive moments spent together during Christmas.
Their romance began at a young farmers’ convention, where the two immediately clicked due to their shared farming backgrounds. Jessica explained on the show, “Ever since we first met, we just clicked. I think it’s because I’m from a farming background, so’s Reuben. I just love him to bits.” Reuben echoed her sentiments, revealing that it took him a while to ask her out, and humorously recounting a first date mishap where he lost his wallet and Jessica had to foot the bill.
The couple’s strong bond has been well-received by fans, who have followed their blossoming romance on Life In The Dales. In a touching moment, Reuben reflected on his family’s approval of Jessica, saying, “Mum and Jess get on well, they talk about sheep together. They all approve and they all get along really well.”
Looking ahead, the couple is planning to move in together soon, with Reuben noting, “We’re just waiting for something to come up. I’ve got to try and get a nice place, get a bit of a farm somewhere one day. It would be ideal to have a farm where I can park my diggers and she can have her sheep and cows.”
The idea of starting a family has also been on Reuben’s mind, though he jokingly said, “I don’t think I fancy nine of them [children], I don’t fancy nine at all.” The pair’s affectionate dynamic is evident, and while the future remains uncertain, their shared love for farming and each other continues to shine through.
Jessica, who has always had a deep connection to farming, opened up about her childhood on Brough Castle Farm, where she learned the ins and outs of farm life alongside her parents. “I’ve always loved working with animals, particularly cows and sheep. They have their own personalities, and I feel like I know them all. I see all the animals as part of our family,” she shared in a 2023 interview.
As Reuben and Jessica continue their journey together, fans of Life In The Dales will be eagerly watching to see how their love story unfolds alongside their shared farming ambitions. Reuben’s laid-back approach to farming and his strong family ties make for a heartwarming and relatable story that viewers are thoroughly invested in.
Catch the new season of Life In The Dales every Tuesday at 8pm on Channel 5 for more updates on Reuben and Jessica’s life together on the farm.
