Amanda Owen Opens Up on Life After Separation from Clive: “Being Separated Has Taken Away the Friction”

Yorkshire Dales, England – December 15, 2025 – Amanda Owen, the beloved “Yorkshire Shepherdess” from Channel 5’s Our Yorkshire Farm, has shared a refreshingly candid update on her separation from ex-husband Clive Owen, emphasising how the change has brought peace to their family dynamic. In a recent interview with The Sun’s Fabulous magazine, the 51-year-old mother-of-nine reflected on the benefits of their new arrangement, three years after announcing their split in June 2022.

“Clive and I are separated, but not divorced. He’s now my next-door neighbour and co-parenting is working,” Amanda revealed. “Being separated has taken away the friction between us and given us more space, physically and mentally. There’s a sense of peace that we both needed, and I honestly think it’s affected the children positively.”

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The couple, who married in 2000 after meeting when Amanda was a young shepherdess seeking work, rose to fame documenting their rugged life at remote Ravenseat Farm in Swaledale. Their hit show ran from 2018 to 2022, captivating millions with tales of sheep herding, homeschooling, and raising a large family in the harsh Yorkshire Dales. The separation came amid reports of strain from fame and personal differences, including a brief romance for Amanda that ended.

Amanda challenged traditional views on family structures: “There will be plenty of people who say: ‘The perfect environment for a child is a two-parent family.’ That’s great, but there’s no hard and fast rule, and things change. What sort of parent would I be if I were a martyr and said to the kids: ‘We stayed together for you guys?’ Is 20 years of bickering, barking and disagreeing with each other really the best scenario? I don’t think so.”

She stressed the importance of modelling resilience: “It’s not about passing on a legacy by separating your children, either. Instead, it’s about showing them that you’re brave enough to stick your head above the parapet and take whatever comes with that.”

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Despite the split, Amanda and Clive have maintained a close working relationship, collaborating on the More4 series Our Farm Next Door: Amanda, Clive and Kids, which documents their renovation of a derelict neighbouring farmhouse, Anty John’s. Clive lives nearby, facilitating seamless co-parenting of their nine children: Raven (24), Reuben (21), Miles (18), Edith (16), Violet (14), Sidney (12), Annas (11), Clemmie (9), and Nancy (8).

The children remain central to daily life at Ravenseat, helping with farming duties and appearing in media projects. Amanda continues authoring books, including recent children’s titles inspired by farm adventures, while balancing public appearances and tours.

Fans have praised the couple’s mature approach, with many noting the positive impact on their family. Amanda’s update underscores a message of adaptability and prioritising wellbeing over convention in rural, high-pressure lives.

As the Yorkshire Dales prepare for winter, Amanda’s story resonates as one of strength and forward momentum.