Stars of The Dales celebrate second TV series

The 12-part show, which charts the ups and downs of life in the Yorkshire Dales, attracted up to four million viewers at its peak and is set to return to the nation’s screens next year.

The show helped boost tourism in the Dales and yesterday some of those who took part joined Welcome to Yorkshire, which played a key role in assisting the production team during the series, to promote the region’s countryside.

Among those at the show were Tom Orde Powlett of Bolton Castle, near Leyburn, and Margaret and Jackie Stubbs, landladies of the community-owned George and Dragon pub in Hudswell.

Mr Orde Powlett believes the show’s success is a sign of the public’s growing appetite for local produce and interest in the countryside. “There is an increased awareness among British people about rural issues and where food comes from,” he said.

Also in attendance were Amanda Owen and her husband, Clive, who have 900 sheep and five children in Swaledale. The couple have been inundated with visitors in recent months hoping to sample Mrs Owen’s homemade scones and stay in their on-site shepherd’s hut.

“It seems a funny thing to say but I think people like the show because it’s real, it’s not like the Darling Buds of May or something like that,” said Mrs Owen.

“It’s also accessible. You can have as many programmes as you like about glamorous locations, but most people don’t have the money to go to these places. But they can come to the Dales for a day out and I’ve been amazed how many people who have come here, because it is a bit off the beaten track.”

The chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, Gary Verity, said he was delighted by news of the show’s return.

He added: “The Dales has really captured the nation’s heart.”