BBC Escape to the Country's Jules Hudson's life off screen - tragic loss to 'difficult' struggle

A familiar face from BBC's has a fascinating background. Property expert began his career in the military before transitioning into television production. Despite being a public figure, Jules maintains a private life, residing in a five-bedroom house in Herefordshire.

Born and raised in Colchester, Essex, Jules pursued Field Archaeology at the University of Wales. He furthered his education with a master's degree in Archaeological Survey at Durham in 1996. Given his academic background, it's no shock that Jules' TV career was sparked by his love for history and archaeology.

His journey in television began behind the scenes, working on productions for the and later Channel 4's Time Team.

His portfolio also includes several drama documentaries and military history series. Jules' affable and accessible demeanour is a result of years spent globetrotting for filming, reports .

His work took him to various corners of the globe, including South America, Europe, the Middle East, and India.

In 2007, Jules became a primary presenter on Escape to the Country. The show features buyers looking to swap city life for the serenity of rural living.

Jules assists these property seekers by showcasing a range of homes across the UK. Each episode also features a Mystery House, handpicked by the experts and revealed to the buyers at the end of their search.

Jules is a familiar face to many as a regular on the BBC show, alongside other hosts like Alistair Appleton, Briony May Williams, Sonali Shah, and Nicki Chapman.

When he's not charming viewers on their screens, Jules often graces the pages of publications such as Countryfile Magazine and Homes and Gardens. Eager for a slice of tranquillity, he bid farewell to the London buzz, opting for the serene Herefordshire countryside with wife Tania and their son Jack.

Back in 2012, the Hensons reportedly snapped up their farmhouse for a cool £610,000, later splashing out another £100k for a fancy revamp, The has disclosed.

However, Jules hasn’t always been surrounded by luxury; his early years were spent in a bustling bed and breakfast. This melting pot of guests from varied walks of life has shaped him, lending him an amiable edge we've all come to love on Escape to the Country.

Chewing over how he strikes a balance with work and home, he laid bare his thoughts to The Express, saying: "Anybody with any busy life will tell you that the balance between your working life and family life can be tricky."

He added: "I've got a young son, we've got our own life here in Herefordshire that is very dear to us, so you know, trying to balance it all can be difficult but it's a partnership, it's a team effort through the family.

"We all understand it, we have mortgages to pay and bills to pay and all the rest of it, it is our working life."

He admitted the struggle with work-life balance: "It's not easy but that's the trouble every family in the country faces let's be honest, you just have to work hard and play."

Jules keeps his followers entertained with regular updates from his home life with his son. They recently embarked on a "little project" for their home.

Jules opened up about a personal loss, revealing his father passed away three years ago at the age of 93. Speaking to the Express, he reflected: "We are all getting older, or I'm getting older. I think I'm more conscious about the things that I eat, the amount that I drink.

Jules added: "[My son] loves to kick a football around or a rugby ball, all of that sort of stuff. So I have to keep up with him. I don't want to let him down.

"Also, it's a really good measure of how fit I'm feeling. I'm also in the military reserve so every year I do a fitness test which makes you dust off your trainers and get back into it."

Despite a hectic filming schedule, Jules strives to maintain a healthy work-life balance given the long hours spent on TV.

However, he confessed to not being a "slave" to diets. "Like most people you find your own sort of pattern that works," he shared. "But I'm more conscious of it having a young son who is super fit and super cool. It holds a mirror up to you, doesn't it.

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