Amanda and Clive have decided to end their marriage

That's very sad. I enjoyed the series, and they seemed to be a very close, united family. I don't know why everyone seems to think that fame and fortune has 'gone to Amanda's head'. I'm sure filming the series and the resulting publicity will have affected the whole family, even the children. I just hope they can all hang on to the love they have for each other to get them through this difficult time.

I watched a few programmes but thought it was like an updated version of the Waltons. I found it difficult to believe that life with 9 children and a farm to run could be so idealistic. As previously mentioned I think they only showed us what they wanted viewers to see.
One of my friends, unhappy with how family life panned out for her looked up to them as the ‘perfect’ family?!
I think I’m in the minority though.

Loved seeing the family. Good programme and a lovely ordinary family. Mum and Dad were terrific with the children and it also they who will suffer. Shame.

Well, I am truly shocked.
I always assumed they had a happy family life.

She has been known to court publicity quite a lot, where as Clive seemed a quieter sort of person and happy to be on his farm.

I wonder how it will all pan out. She is supposedly staying there and so is he. I think she has a restless nature.

It’s the children I feel sorry for. I wonder what they will make of it.

Im with you Happysexgenerian!

I can’t imagine why anyone would want 9 children, especially with a farm to run, and with someone who’s old enough to be their Grandad!
It’s bound to be the children who suffer. I think the money has gone to her head. I can’t believe that their lifestyle is as ideal as it is portrayed in the programme.

Ohh come on grace no snobbery from me what’s snobbish about watching channel 5 ?? Crikey judgemental or what ?

I haven’t heard of these people because I m not particularly interested in people making a lot of money out of parading their families on the screen for others
I always admired the eldest Osbourne daughter for having nothing to do with her mother and fathers ‘fly on the wall’ family programmes The same went for Dawn French and Lennie Henry we never ever saw even a picture of their adopted daughter

This farming lady obviously has the money, money, money gene

Frogs

I watched a few programmes but thought it was like an updated version of the Waltons. I found it difficult to believe that life with 9 children and a farm to run could be so idealistic. As previously mentioned I think they only showed us what they wanted viewers to see.
One of my friends, unhappy with how family life panned out for her looked up to them as the ‘perfect’ family?!
I think I’m in the minority though.

There's no such thing as "the perfect family" in real life. Everyone has their ups and downs, some survive them, others don't.

Farming is very hard work.
Amanda obviously sailed through her pregnancies too and not everyone is as lucky.

Only The Waltons were perfect ?

I’ve read today that although they are no longer a couple they will continue to farm together and parent the children together. Haven’t said where the children will live, although Raven and Reuben are away during term time. Sad.

Callistemon21

Frogs

I watched a few programmes but thought it was like an updated version of the Waltons. I found it difficult to believe that life with 9 children and a farm to run could be so idealistic. As previously mentioned I think they only showed us what they wanted viewers to see.
One of my friends, unhappy with how family life panned out for her looked up to them as the ‘perfect’ family?!
I think I’m in the minority though.

There's no such thing as "the perfect family" in real life. Everyone has their ups and downs, some survive them, others don't.

Farming is very hard work.
Amanda obviously sailed through her pregnancies too and not everyone is as lucky.

Only The Waltons were perfect ?

That’s what I keep telling my friend Callistemom - but for some reason my friend seems to think most people have had a perfect life - if only she knew - we all do our best to put on a good front?

Yes!

Why did she have all those kids then? Very selfish woman.. met Her many years ago when she served tea and cakes to coast to coast walkers. Extremely beautiful.

Why did she have all those kids? Very selfish woman?

It takes two to tango!

Have you read her book? Her Mum wanted her to become a model, but she only ever did one 'sleazy' shoot in her nearest large town. She never modelled for a living

yes selfish. For better and for worse and now that worse is in sight, because of his age, she is running away.

I am not keen on these reality programmes which to me seem very exploitative when there are minors involved and .every detail of family (or other!) life is laid out for public consumption. They obviously are good for the tv ratings but at what cost to them, despite the big bucks? We get our vicarious pleasures from these ‘ideal’ families or those with ‘glamorous’ lifestyles (a la Kardashians!) but we don’t really know them as this latest ‘news’ shows!

What’s ironic is that most reality shows rely on a bit of ( often manipulated) drama but this one was based on everything being perfect.

karmalady

yes selfish. For better and for worse and now that worse is in sight, because of his age, she is running away.

You can’t possibly know all the reasons for their separation and she’s not ‘running away’. She has said she will continue to run the farm and parent the children with Clive and has moved into a nearby property they already own.

The hard part for Amanda will be to maintain her high earnings. Her family has benefited financially from her hard work (and Clive’s of course) Hill farmers don’t have it easy.

Amazed that people can make such judgments about their lives from seeing 6hrs a year and most of that showed sheep and scenery, nobody outside the couple involved can know why their marriage has broken down.

Elizabeth as I ve said before I ve never seen the show so make no judgements at all
However if someone courts publicity for money allowing the world to see their every move and worse still that of their children who have no choice or voice in their publicity stunts then I would imagine people who are interested have every right to make whatever assumptions they want to

I haven’t watched reality tv programmes since the second series of Big Brother.

I think that farm is rented, but could be wrong? Despite Amanda earning ‘huge sums’ it’s ‘their money’ and not just hers? I know she decided to move out last year to find space to write her book. I’m sure if they could afford to employ help at the farm, if necessary.

That’s sad to hear. I loved that family show on Channel 5

Re the modelling side of things with Amanda I read her book recently and her "modelling career" consisted of her mother taking her to a photographer for some pics and he turned out to be a sleaze bucket who was taking pics of girls and trying to get them in various states of undress. He was exposed in the Huddersfield paper and end of modelling career for Amanda!

But sorry to read of her marriage split, it is always sad especially when children involved and she and Clive had a big family.

Always sad when marriages and partnerships break down. I enjoyed the programme, such a lovely family. I wish them well.