TV STAR and Dorset resident Martin Clunes has revealed the touching reason why he created a field of sunflowers at his Dorset farm.

The Doc Martin and Men Behaving Badly actor, who lives in the Beaminster area, appeared on The One Show on Monday evening (September 13) to promote the latest series of ITV drama Manhunt.

Martin also spoke about the upcoming final series of Doc Martin, which is to commence filming soon.

After the BBC One magazine show broadcast a segment about a field of sunflowers, the actor was intrigued and attention turned to his own colourful sunflower field.

Angela Scanlon asked him about his own field of sunflowers and why he grew such a beautiful field of flowers.

Dorset Echo: Martin Clunes appeared on The One Show to promote his new ITV series Manhunt - but attention turned to the sunflowers he is growing on his Dorset farm. Picture: BBCMartin Clunes appeared on The One Show to promote his new ITV series Manhunt - but attention turned to the sunflowers he is growing on his Dorset farm. Picture: BBC

Mr Clunes quipped the other farmer who appeared on the TV segment ‘knew what he was doing and I didn't’ before he said: “We planted six acres of sunflowers.

“Sadly they haven’t all come up but the ones that have come up are absolutely beautiful and I am selling them for Julia’s House hospice.”

Martin Clunes, who is a Julia’s House patron, explained he hopes his sunflowers will help raise much-needed funds for the charity, which has seen a number of its fundraising events cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Julia’s House is a charity that supports children with practical and emotional support for families caring for a child with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition across Dorset and Wiltshire.

Mr Clunes hopes his sunflowers will help fund the ‘much-cherished’ charity’s life-changing care for seriously ill children and families in the local community.

Dorset Echo: Martin Clunes appeared on The One Show to promote his new ITV series Manhunt - but attention turned to the sunflowers he is growing on his Dorset farm. Picture: BBCMartin Clunes appeared on The One Show to promote his new ITV series Manhunt - but attention turned to the sunflowers he is growing on his Dorset farm. Picture: BBC

He said: “All the fetes, dog shows and pony shows, they have all been cancelled and they’re big sources of income (for the charity).

“We used to have a fair on our farm so I just thought we never planted anything on our farm other than grass.

“We never ploughed a field so we thought it was worth a go. I was out there this morning picking them.

“I am just selling them locally in Bridport, Beaminster and Rampisham."

The sunflowers are currently being sold in farm shops and florists across West Dorset, including Beaminster, Bridport and Rampisham.

He listed off a number of businesses selling his sunflowers, including Framptons of Bridport, Rise Market and Bakery in Bridport, Washingpool Farm Shop & Café and Rambling Rose Florist in Beaminster.

After hearing his farming exploits, Angela Scanlon asked if we could expect to see a Martin Clunes-focused farming show akin to the popular Amazon series Clarkson’s Farm.

Amused about the idea, he said: “No!”

It appears that Martin Clunes visited Framptons of Bridport to drop off more sunflowers before heading to the One Show, according to a social media post.

Framptons of Bridport shared a photo of the actor inside the shop with the caption: “Say it with flowers!

“We had a little visit from Bridport/Beaminster local and Doc Martin star, Martin Clunes today who kindly dropped in some of his lovely sunflowers which he is selling in aid of Julia's House children's hospice.

“If you'd like to donate to the very worthy cause, pop in the shop and pick up a little piece of sun from us!”

More information about his sunflowers can be found here - https://www.juliashouse.org/news/buy-martin-clunes-sunflowers?fbclid=IwAR0pL3Ht3QIyRmIu03SXBae-Ig3XlU-_FIuQecytzprva7hGYrfZ20F4lfU