You might imagine that winning Britain's Got Talent and recording a debut album would turn life upside down for the Hawkstone Farmers Choir. But even after being catapulted into the national spotlight, they are still up at the crack of dawn, braving the elements to tend their livestock.
"It's been absolutely mad," says choir member Flo Dawes in an exclusive interview with HELLO!. "I mean, the early mornings have carried on. Nothing's actually changed, really; it's just more to do. We probably get up earlier now, but it's been brilliant."
© oscar talbotInitially founded by Jeremy Clarkson as part of an advertising campaign for his Oxfordshire-brewed lager, the group exceeded all expectations. In May, they swept to victory on ITV's hit talent show, securing £250,000 in prize money alongside a coveted slot at the upcoming Royal Variety Performance.
Its members, who are based everywhere from Cambridgeshire to Dorset and Northumberland, are now releasing their debut album, This Is Home, before embarking on a nationwide UK tour in the spring.
© Getty Images"Jeremy is our best cheerleader."
"The first time we all got together to record the lager advert, Jeremy came out while we were singing and said, 'Oh god, you guys are actually good singers,'" Flo shares. "I think he was really shocked that there was a big group of farmers that could actually sing."
Since then, Jeremy has been their biggest champion. When the choir pledged £50,000 of their winnings to five charities supporting rural communities and farming mental health, his beer brand Hawkstone matched the donation pound for pound.
Katryna Shell, who farms alongside her family in Northumberland, describes the former Top Gear supporter as their "best cheerleader". "He's always there for guidance and for advice, but he doesn't push us in certain directions. He lets us choose what we want to do because he trusts us."
© oscar talbotAccording to Ellie Maguire, who farms near Sherborne, the Clarkson's Farm star wears his heart on his sleeve when it comes to their journey. "He does get quite emotional," she says. "I think he didn't know where it was going to go, as much as we didn't know.""
With their newfound celebrity status – and a famous fanbase including the likes of Graham Norton and Stacey Solomon – the choir aims to use its platform to help raise awareness around mental health in farming.
"We all spend quite a lot of time by ourselves and depending on what sort of headspace you're in, that can be quite a dark place at times," explains Katryna, who despite juggling raising three children and managing a busy farm spends "the majority of every single day by myself".
© Jen Amelia Photo"It's been tough at times. I get anxious, and my anxiety is my downfall sometimes."
Joining the choir proved to be vital. "Their friendship has been incredible. I'll be forever grateful."
"We would quite like Glastonbury to give us a ring."
For Ellie, having her peers as a soundboard has made a huge difference. "We know what pressure farmers are under at the moment. It's a pretty impossible industry to be in," she says. "When things aren't working out, you might think you're failing at it, but when you get together, you realise you're not alone."
While their new album tackles themes of isolation and loneliness, there are plenty of happy songs too. "I think that a lot of the songs, because they're not rural focused, hopefully will resonate with other people as well," shares Flo. "There were lots of happy tears during recording."
© oscar talbotThe impact of the choir has reached far beyond the fields. Fans across the country have inundated their social media pages with messages of gratitude – with some sharing that the choir's music has helped them through dark periods.
"Obviously it means a lot to us," shares Ellie. "But to see how much it means to everyone else as well. It still blows me away."
Eager to better respond to vulnerable messages from the public, some choir members have completed a mental health first aid training course.
© Jen Amelia Photo"We keep getting all these wonderful messages and then we feel completely out of place to know how to deal with it," shares Flo. "So we've got the first aid training now, which is great for mental health, but it also helps us as well. I know people in the choir that went to that training day and have since gone and spoken to people and done more."
As they gear up for their performance at this year's Royal Variety Show, the choir already have their sights set on another iconic British stage.
"We would quite like Glastonbury to give us a ring," shares Katryna. "Worthy Farm, give the Hawkstone Farmers Choir a ring, we're open to offers."
Festival headlining dreams aside, their hearts firmly remain with the rural community. "What actually really matters to the choir is doing the agriculture shows, and doing community things," says Flo. "The people who are supporting us, they matter a lot."
The Hawkstone Farmers Choir's debut album 'This Is Home' is out 20 November. Their UK tour begins in March 2027.
