Countryfile's Adam Henson confirms heartbreaking loss as farm 'loses key member'

During Sunday night's episode of Countryfile, Adam Henson revealed the sad news of a dog's passing as he visited shepherdess Katy's farm in the Cumbria region.

The programme featured Charlotte Smith accompanying local farmer Anne Mair-Chapman as she got her prize animals ready for a major event and engaged with farmers eager to snag the essential ram to boost their flocks in the forthcoming year.

Charlotte also delved into the logistics behind the vast market, learning about the coordination involved in ferrying thousands of sheep to the sale in what could well be described as their very own 'sheep cabs'.

However, the atmosphere changed notably when Adam's trip showcased a poignant reality for Katy, grappling with the absence of her cherished sheepdog, who remarked that it was "strange" without her canine companion.

Adam introduced this touching part of the show by saying: "Over the last few years, we've been following the highs and the lows of young farmer Katie Laidlow.," reports the Express.

Amid Adam's narration, viewers were shown an archival snippet from Countryfile where Katy discussed a painful loss with Anita Rani featuring the aftermath of one of their lambs dying.

Continuing the story, Adam said: "Now I'm meeting her for the first time at an important point in the farming calendar. Shepherding on the uplands in the UK is an age-old practice, and at this time of year, farmers are gathering their flocks off the Fells and bringing them down into the valleys to wean the lambs, and Katie's going to show me how it's done."

Katy then detailed her lifelong connection with farming, having moved to the farm at just four years old, essentially growing from childhood to adulthood amidst the fields and flocks.

Katy opened up about the wide array of animals on their farm, saying: "So we've got sheep, we've got cows, we've got goats and donkeys, but it's a sheep that we're gonna be focused on today."

Yet, this time around, collecting the flock presented an unusual challenge for Katy and her family as they faced the task without their cherished canine companion who met with a tragic fate.

Adam elaborated: "It's a two-and-a-half mile journey from Fell to farm, and we're heading up with Katie's mum and dad, Kirsten and Andy.

"Tragically, Jem, the family's treasured Border Collie, passed away earlier in the year; this marks the family's first attempt at bringing down the sheep unassisted by a dog."

During the task, Adam checked in with Katy: "Are you missing the dog?"

Katy replied sentimentally: "I am actually, it is very strange as normal she would just be there at your heel making sure everything is going well."

Countryfile is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.