A DENBIGHSHIRE shepherdess has spoken of her time filming with 'down to Earth' Carol Vorderman for a new BBC One Wales show.

During the series, the former Countdown presenter, takes a trip down memory lane and returns to her North Wales roots.

Episode one of Carol Vorderman: Closer To Home aired on January 5 and featured Denbigh shepherdess Ffion Hooson.

The former Denbigh High School pupil, who turns 21 this week, started farming at the age of 17.

But as well as working on the 180-acre farm alongside mum Andrea, dad huw and brother Rhys, Ffion also works as a relief milker on a dairy farm and works in the local livestock market.

Speaking to the Denbighshire Free Press this week, when asked about whether or not she had watched the episode she appeared on, Ffion said: "I didn’t watch the episode I was featured on, I think I’d have found it quite strange to watch myself back on the TV!

"But, I have heard so many amazing supportive reviews of it.

"Gareth Wyn Jones (local farmer who appears on BBC regularly) is to thank for getting Carol to get in touch with me, he became good friends with her and did some filming and told her to have a look into my story and next thing one of her producers emailed me about doing a series with her."

On the show, Ffion discussed what it was like to take over the farm when her father had suffered a stroke, and the weight of responsibility which followed.

Speaking on what it was like to meet Carol Vorderman, who originally hails from Prestatyn, Ffion said: "She was the most loveliest down to earth woman. She was so welcoming and made me feel calm and relaxed especially when filming."

During the new series on BBC One Wales, starting on the coast in Carol's hometown of Prestatyn, the tv presenter, best known for Countdown, Loose Women and the annual Pride of Britain Awards, reflects on how women’s roles have changed since her childhood.

Also featured in the show is Rhian Wyn Jones who, after going through a divorce, successfully 'risked it all' to pursue her dream of becoming an award-winning artist, is among those featuring in the programme.

Karate instructor Bethan Owen, 18, from Bodelwyddan also appears in the series.