A new BBC show will help singletons living and working in the countryside find love with someone who has a dramatically different lifestyle.
Host Sara Cox will head back to her farming roots with ’Love In The Countryside’ to help a group of men and women who are struggling to find a partner with whom to share their rural lives.
A reliance on the land for their livelihoods, and being based within small rural communities, has limited their chance of finding someone to love.
From farmers to rural vets, the singletons are ready to not only see if they can meet their match but also to introduce a potential partner to the true realities of life in the countryside.
Sara will join the couples along their way as they negotiate getting to know each other, whilst the urban love seekers are grappling with wellies, the wild outdoors and dodgy Wi-Fi.
She said: “As a farmer's daughter living in the capital I'm really excited about uniting rural folks with people from the city.
"I can't wait to journey over hill and dale, through Britain's glorious countryside on my mission to hopefully help love blossom for the people who work the land, lovingly tend their animals but may have neglected their own hearts."
Rachel Ashdown, Commissioning Editor for BBC Entertainment, said: “More than a dating show, Love In The Countryside shines a light on the realities of life where the land and farming is still at the heart of the daily routine.
"With both rural and urban singletons embarking on new experiences across this series I look forward to seeing how contributors from town and country can come together to learn from each other’s lives.”
Young farmer Ed has just taken over the family farm but his hefty workload has left little time for love.
Age |
25
|
Occupation |
Dairy Farmer
|
Hobbies and interests |
Rugby, travel
|
Lives |
Lancashire
|
Looking for |
Female
|
“I’d love to have family and kids. I’d be a super dad.”
“I’m excited about transforming the family farm for the future of British farming.”
Mark’s a fit and fun farrier with a fulfilling life to share.
Age |
52
|
Occupation |
Farrier
|
Hobbies and Interests |
Horse and carriage racing, historical re-enactment, golf
|
Lives |
Norfolk
|
Looking for |
Female
|
“It would be nice to settle down. For me love is being there to share, to do stuff together, to hold, to cuddle, to kiss.”
“I love living in the countryside. I haven’t got the hustle and bustle of living in the city. After working hard all day I love to sit in the garden, have a beer and listen to nothing apart from the countryside.”
A fun time farmhand with a raucous sense of humour and soft-centred charm.
Age |
33
|
Occupation |
Farmhand
|
Hobbies and interests |
Clay pigeon shooting, playing and watching rugby
|
Lives |
Worcestershire
|
Looking for |
Female
|
“I bought this pipe and wear this flat cap as I thought I’d look novel and attract the ladies. But the only comments I get are from old men.”
“I like to treat a girl with flowers, chocolates, romantic gestures."
Well-travelled farmer but there’s no place like home.
Age |
52
|
Occupation |
Dairy cattle and arable farmer
|
Hobbies and interests |
Snooker, travel, dancing
|
Lives |
North Yorkshire
|
Looking for |
Female
|
“I’ve travelled all round the world and you always want to come home. I don’t think there’s anywhere any more beautiful than round here really anywhere in the world.
“I suppose it’s what we all want isn’t it. To be in love with someone and for them to love you. You get butterflies in your stomach and you’re always thinking about them all day long.”
Christine has recently taken over her family’s picturesque 250 acre farm and would love someone to share it with.
Age |
32
|
Occupation |
Sheep & Cattle Farmer
|
Hobbies and interests |
Keen baker
|
Lives |
Dumfries & Galloway
|
Looking for |
Male
|
“Basically I want a best friend, someone who's there by your side, who wants to be with you all the time and is willing to listen to all your nonsense!”
“A good day would be when the sun is shining, the birds are singing, your calves are running races up and down the fences with their tails in the air and it’s just beautiful.”
Heather’s love of horses and love of her job has so far stopped her finding the love of a good man.
Age |
28
|
Occupation |
Equine Vet
|
Hobbies and Interests |
Riding, eventing, socialising
|
Lives |
North Yorkshire
|
Looking for |
Male
|
“Love is just having someone to share things with and someone who understands you, I think that’s real love.”
“I love horses, I’ve been riding since I was 4 years old. So it was a no brainer to become a vet. It was 9 years of hard work but worth it now … but I’m now ready to fit a man into my busy life.”
Smart, sophisticated and self-sufficient pig farmer looking for a man whose glass is very much half full.
Age |
59
|
Occupation |
Pig farmer
|
Hobbies and interests |
Travelling, running
|
Lives |
Herefordshire
|
Looking for |
Male
|
“I’m very much a country girl at heart. My needs and pleasures are very simple now and that is satisfying … but I’d like someone to share this with.”
“The man I’m looking for has got to be upbeat and have that physical something, that je ne sais quoi.”
Richard is a gay man living in rural Scotland, who’s grown up with farming in his blood and is looking for a man’s man.
Age |
39
|
Occupation |
Sheep and cattle farmer
|
Hobbies and interests |
Showing cattle, event organising, public speaking
|
Lives |
Dumfries & Galloway
|
Looking for |
Male
|
“For a relationship to work I think you’ve got to be committed to each other and be open and honest.”
“Living in an isolated community it’s really difficult to meet people, so it would be wonderful to find someone that I can share a connection and special bond.”