Television presenter Adam Henson will be commentating at this year's Royal Bath & West Show.

Since he was chosen as the new Countryfile presenter in 2001, Adam Henson has become something of a household name . Watched by between five million and seven million people every week, Countryfile brings rural life into the heart of peoples’ homes. But, Adam says, he wasn’t always this famous, and he keeps his feet firmly planted on the ground at his tenanted family farm and Farm Park in the Cotswolds.

Adam’s father was the founder of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, and the Cotswold Farm Park is doing its best to preserve and rejuvenate endangered native breeds. “Because of their genetic diversity they suit different climates, topographies and farming systems – and they also have a place in the future of farming,”, said Adam.

Adam's dad also set up Head of Bath & West Show's Alan Lyons with his first Cotswold sheep. Adam said: "I grew up on this farm and my dad and I used to take animals to compete at the Bath & West Show, so I’ve been going since I was a boy.”

More recently, he has been invited back as a judge, and this year on Thursday, 30 May he will be paying a VIP visit, exploring many other aspects of the Show before commentating on the Grand Cattle Parade in the main ring.

“It’s an honour to be asked, and I will really enjoy doing that, although it’s a bit nerve wracking.

"I better make sure I know all my breeds,” he joked. “It’s an amazing sight, to get all those well behaved, huge animals being led by their proud owners and staff.”

Showing cattle is a great way to demonstrate individual breeds, and winning rosettes helps to add value to breeding stock - but it’s also a superb social hobby, explains Adam. “You get to learn from other breeders and compare your stock with others to see how well you’re doing. It’s also a great opportunity to speak to the general public – the agricultural community is getting much better at communicating.”

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