Amanda and Clive have decided to end their marriage

Very sad. I like them both and all those lovely kids. I wonder if this would've happened if they'd never gone on TV.

I'm very sad to hear that. From her books and the TV series they seem like lovely hard working people who have been together a very long time and raised a wonderful family. I hope things work out well for them all.

Apparently they are still going to work on the farm together and jointly parent the children.

GG13, Amanda’s mother was a model. Amanda did toy with the idea but was inspired by the James Herriot books to work with farm animals, particularly sheep.

She was a freelance shepherdess when she met Clive.

I knew her - no way was she a successful model ?

I know I shouldn’t assume anything about someone else’s marriage (everyone assumed my marriage was a happy one till it ended) but I can’t help but wonder if Clive wanted so many children. Or wanted to live a life in the spotlight. It’s going to have an impact on her books and talks etc.

I'm sorry to hear this, sad for them & for their children.
There have been rumours about problems for sometime, but I hoped that they had been solved.

I've always enjoyed the TV programme, also Amanda's early books.

It is sad.

The TV documentary gave me a fuzzy warm feeling(not many programs do that these days) I absolutely love watching the series and also reading about the family so yes I am very sad to hear this….?

I think the children will be fine. As I understand it they are living in their two separate properties and will just go on as normal but not sharing the marital bed.

Knittynatter

I knew her - no way was she a successful model ?

Presumably she knew you too, I wonder what she'd say of you?

She's very tall and as a teenager did indeed do a bit of fashion modelling.......you are not the only one who knew her

Very sad for the children.
I enjoyed all the programs except the last ones which didn’t seem so natural.

Wonder why they had so many children?

Never heard of them either
Haven’t got much time for these people who publicise their whole life for money a bit like that woman that keeps having babies to keep their fame going

Sounds like there ll be plenty of programmes about their divorce and ‘wonderful friendly’ way of managing it more programmes in the making ….dollar signs

That made me laugh Mapleleaf ?
None of us knows what goes on behind closed doors it sounds as if that’s exactly what the whole programme is about

Petera Jane Mansfield and the lobsters??

FannyCornforth

Petera Jane Mansfield and the lobsters??

"lobstericimus bumbequissimus"

lemsip

Knittynatter

I knew her - no way was she a successful model ?

Presumably she knew you too, I wonder what she'd say of you?

She's very tall and as a teenager did indeed do a bit of fashion modelling.......you are not the only one who knew her

Now, now! No need for vitriol!

BlueBelle

That made me laugh Mapleleaf ?
None of us knows what goes on behind closed doors it sounds as if that’s exactly what the whole programme is about

" ...it sounds as if that’s exactly what the whole programme is about "

Not really, Bluebell, though I can see how it might sound like it if you've never seen the programmes.
They are such a unique, hardworking family, whose life on the farm was wonderful to watch.

It would be easy to say that they only got on TV in the first place because of the size of the family, but I honestly feel the programmes would have been just as watchable if they only had, say, three or four children - though would probably not have run to as many series!

Actually, thinking about it, was it a visit by Ben Fogle, for New Lives in the Wild, that first brought them into the spotlight? I don't think I'd heard of them before that.

oldandproud I don’t think it’s on to use your family and ups and downs of life for millions to watch and judge especially if some are underage children who have no choice whether their problem moments are paraded to the world in the name of entertainment
You re right maybe I shouldn’t judge because I haven’t watched it but I think all of these birds eye view of family life is dreadfully exploitive

Do you remember the ‘Nanny’ and the naughty step programmes how on earth did those kids feel when they were in their teens and beyond to be reminded of their screaming temper tantrums for all to see
I remember the very first reality show which was watching family life I can’t remember the families name but it was a ‘fly in the wall’ first and I think the family broke up after or during or something I ll have to look it up
Just my opinion but hey ho they must have made a big potful of money so that’s ok then

I can’t think of anything worse that having a film crew in my home. Liked watching it though, but when the babies stopped coming, the make up got heavier, the skirts shorter, in that weather too, Clive’s hip replacement, could see the signs. She left her kids very much to it and must say they are a lovely hard working bunch, very self reliant and lovely to be around, she did a better job hands off than I did hands on.
Wish them both the best but think it will hit Clive hard.

I agree with you BluBelle

And I’ve always found it a bit annoying as the very best Shepherdess is the wonderful Katy Cropper.
The first woman to win One Man and his Dog.

But I’m a bit interested in Clive’s hip replacement (whoever he is)

Sad to hear this news but seemed to be on the cards for a while lets hope they are left to deal with their problems privately I feel sorry for the little ones.

It's always sad when a marriage breaks down, especially when children are involved. Their children are a delight but I could never warm to Amanda.