Countryfile star Adam Henson admitted he was "horrified and upset" after one of his good friends took his own life.

When he isn't filming for the programme, Adam runs a farm in the Cotswolds, which was founded by his father, Joe, in 1971.

Adam recently teamed up with the rural charity Farm Safety Foundation after it was revealed that nine out of 10 farmers said mental health is the "biggest hidden problem" facing the industry today.

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According to the Office of National Statistics**, figures showed 44 suicides were registered in England & Wales in the farming and agricultural industry in 2022.

Recent research by the charity revealed that poor mental health among farmers and agricultural workers is deteriorating.

While admitting to having a great support network from his friends and family, Adam agreed that mental health in farmers was an issue that needed highlighting.

He also opened up about the death of one of his close friends, who was also a farmer.

Speaking exclusively to the , Adam shared: "A number of years ago, I lost a farming friend to suicide, and then working with Countryfile, looking at the statistics around mental health and then reading it in the Agricultural Press, I was horrified and upset by the whole situation.

"And having lost a friend, having that personal experience, and speaking to his family, his girlfriend, and all of those around him made me feel like I really wanted to be involved in some shape or form."

Adam went on to explain that he teamed up with a production company to produce a podcast series, which he described as "another tool in the toolbox" to highlight the issue further.

"They have been successful and well supported," the Countryfile star said before adding: "We have worked alongside some of the charities to make sure we were pulling something new and useful."

As a result, Adam has received some great feedback about the podcast, and that it "has potentially saved lives".

"And as the subject continues to be discussed, which is absolutely right, I am going to continue to support it," he stated.

When speaking about how he deals with his own mental health or if he is struggling, Adam admitted he was "very fortunate" to have such a supportive network of friends and family.

He detailed: "My characteristics are that I am an upbeat person, and I have got an incredibly supportive family, wife and children and people around me.

"And within the business, I have got a business partner who I was at Agricultural College with and he is one of my closest friends and what we do is surround ourselves with people that are excellent within their own role in the business. Whether that is a manager or a farm manager, and we work really closely with the team and we are all very honest and open with one another."

He added: "So, I have had some very difficult times in my life, both in business and personally, my wife was very ill a few years ago, my parents dying, and I lost a nephew.

"We have gone through foot and mouth challenges, Covid, and we have had some tough times, but I've never had poor mental health because I've had that fantastic support system around me."

Help and support is available right now if you need it. You do not have to struggle with difficult feelings alone. You can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or email