Farmer Wants A Wife is set to return to UK screens 16 years after it was axed. 

The popular ITV dating show followed land-owning singletons as they welcomed women from the city to their farms in the hope of finding love. 

The series had viewers hooked when it was first broadcast on the station in 2001, before moving to Channel 5 eight years later, with Louise Redknapp as presenter.

However, TV bosses then canned the show, which has continued going strong with an Australian version since 2007, and left it on the shelf for more than a decade.

But the success of countryside-based programmes of late, including Clarkson’s Farm and Yorkshire Shepherdess, has prompted its return.

A TV source told The Sun: ‘Farmer Wants A Wife was one of telly’s earlier dating shows before the likes of Love Island and Married at First Sight came along and created a whole new genre.

Farmer Wants A Wife is set to return to screens in the UK 16 years after it was axed (pictured in 2001)

The series had viewers hooked when it was first broadcast on the station in 2001, before moving to Channel 5 eight years later (pictured), deploying Louise Redknapp as presenter

‘Even though it only ran for two series, the UK version spawned as many as ten international versions – it’s mᴀssive in Australia, for example – and the BBC even had a go at their own version, Love In The Countryside with Sara Cox.

‘But the time is thought to be right to revisit the UK farmers as interest in rural living has never been greater thanks to Jeremy Clarkson et al and after Covid many have rethought city life.

‘It’s early days so a channel isn’t yet attached, nor a host, but everyone is very excited.’

The search for eligible farmers has already begun with original distributor Fremantle Media scouring the land for participants in the romance show. 

A potential revamped format will see ‘all genders, Sєxualities, ages and love interests’ covered, according to insiders.

MailOnline has contacted ITV and Fremantle for comment. 

An Australian version of Farmer Wants A Wife is still going strong Down Under and is currently three weeks into its 12th season.

The show is shaking things up, introducing 12 new contestants in a surprise twist – after Farmer Jarred abruptly found love and walked off the show.

Farmer Wants A Wife has been going strong Down Under and is currently three weeks into a 12th season (pictured: Aussie host Natalie Gruzlewski with the four farmers)

The shock move left three farmers still searching for their true love, and now each of them will be introduced to four new women in the coming episodes.

Channel Seven confirmed the remaining three farmers – Corey, Thomas and Tom – will each be introduced to four new ladies, in a bid to shake things up.

The farmers will spend one-on-one time with each before selecting two to return to the farm and join the original contestants.

‘The latecomers know they are stepping into already-formed connections, but they’re not backing down,’ the network teased.

‘Their arrival is set to shake things up and stir emotions… after all, the road to love is never straightforward.’