Reuben Owen: “I Don’t Want a TV Career, I Want to Be Known for Digging Holes”

Television’s least-likely star is lying flat on the grass of a Cumbrian field, all six feet seven inches of him, clad in heroically filthy Levi’s, an oversized bulldozer buckle on his belt, and thermal-lined Le Chameau boots. Around him, Texel lambs bleat across the hills while the sun burns down on the parched farmland. But 21-year-old Reuben Owen, son of the famed “Yorkshire Shepherdess,” is paying no attention to the rural idyll. His eyes, instead, are fixed firmly on his beloved heavy machinery.

Reuben is the unlikely face of Reuben Owen: Life in the Dales, a series that has quickly gathered its own following. Yet, if you ask him, the thought of being a TV star barely registers. His pride lies not in red carpets or ratings, but in the day he got his name emblazoned on his own digger.

Fame in the Dales

“The proudest moment of my life wasn’t taking part in any TV show,” he says without hesitation. “It was the day I got my name on my own digger. When that customised sticker was put on, saying ‘Reuben Owen,’ I knew I had really accomplished something.”

It’s a statement that captures his essence: unpretentious, hardworking, and slightly bemused by the world of television that has been eager to claim him as its next breakout star.

Reuben is the eldest son of Amanda Owen, the Yorkshire Shepherdess who rose to fame through Channel 5’s Our Yorkshire Farm. For years, the Owen children captured viewers’ imaginations as they grew up on the rugged landscape of Ravenseat Farm. Now, Reuben has stepped into his own spotlight — albeit reluctantly.

The Machinery Obsession

Unlike many young men his age, Reuben is not interested in fame, fast cars, or celebrity parties. His passion lies in the roar of diesel engines, the grind of earthmoving equipment, and the satisfaction of transforming land.

On the set of his show, cameras trail him as he digs trenches, levels farmland, and takes on contracts in and around the Dales. What might seem mundane to others comes alive through his sheer enthusiasm.

“I’m happiest when I’m up in the cab of my digger,” he explains. “I just love being covered in muck and dust, doing a proper job. That’s what makes me tick.”

It’s a brand of masculinity that feels both traditional and refreshing: unpolished, unpretentious, and entirely authentic.

TV Stardom by Accident

For someone so disinterested in stardom, Reuben is remarkably good at it. Viewers have latched onto his dry wit, towering presence, and genuine love for what he does. He embodies a kind of television rarity: a character who is exactly the same on screen as he is off it.

“People say to me, ‘Oh, you must love being on TV,’ but I don’t even think about it,” Reuben admits. “I just get on with my work, and the cameras happen to be there.”

And yet, that very indifference is what makes him TV gold. Where others might pose, perform, or polish themselves for the cameras, Reuben simply gets on with digging holes, letting his unfiltered personality shine through in the process.

Life Beyond the Screen

Though Life in the Dales offers viewers a glimpse of his work, Reuben is adamant that his true ambition lies outside the television studio. His dream is to build a reputation as a skilled contractor, respected in the world of construction and land management.

“I don’t want to be known as some TV bloke,” he insists. “I want people to know me for the work I do, the jobs I’ve finished, the holes I’ve dug.”

He has already begun carving out that path. Taking on apprenticeships, investing in machinery, and working long hours, he’s proving he has both the determination and the skill to make his mark in the industry.

A Different Kind of Celebrity

In a media landscape obsessed with influencers and reality stars, Reuben Owen stands out precisely because he rejects that world. He doesn’t want to be an influencer; he wants to be a grafter. His approach resonates with audiences craving authenticity.

Critics argue that this is what makes him one of the most compelling figures on British television today. He is not trying to sell viewers anything, not angling for more fame, not pretending to be anyone he’s not. His life, his family, and his digger are enough.

Final Word

At just 21, Reuben Owen is already an unlikely celebrity — a man who stumbled into television but remains rooted in mud, machinery, and the rhythms of rural life. His towering figure, muddy jeans, and blunt honesty might not fit the typical mould of TV stardom, but they have made him a cult favorite among fans.

And yet, if you ask him, none of that really matters. For Reuben, the truest measure of success is still the name scrawled proudly across the side of his digger.

In his own words: “I don’t want a TV career. I just want to be known for digging holes.”