Brian Bainbridge, a farmer and gamekeeper who featured in the original television programme which made Hannah Hauxwell famous, has died at the age of 80.

He was filmed working in deep snow around his farm at Birkdale in Upper Teesdale, Co Durham, and made the comment -- "It's too long a winter" - which was turned into the title of the show.

Mr Bainbridge ran the remote farm for many years with his wife Mary, but in the last 10 they lived in retirement within easier reach of amenities at Langdon Beck.

Miss Hauxwell, who is now 79 and lives in Cotherstone near Barnard Castle, said yesterday: "I am very sorry to hear of Mr Bainbridge's death, though I didn't actually know him."

His daughter, Mrs Jackie Meeson, said yesterday: "He didn't think much of that programme at all, even though he gave it the title. He wanted to forget it, because he didn't think it gave the correct impression."

When the film was screened by ITV in January 1973 Miss Hauxwell was living on little over 5 a week at Low Birk Hatt Farm in Baldersdale, with no running water, electricity or gas. She was seen wearing ragged clothes as she worked with her handful of cattle.

But there was a staggering response, with many people sending letters and parcels of food from all over the country. Other programmes and books followed. The producer Barry Cockcroft, who has since died, took her all over Europe and to New York for filming.

Miss Hauxwell was invited to a Buckingham Palace garden party and to the Woman of the Year lunch. She appeared with Michael Aspel on This is Your Life, and with Harry Secombe on Highway.

Mr Bainbridge, on the other hand, continued to live and work quietly out of the limelight.

His wife Mary said yesterday: "He always thought the TV programme was a bit of a farce. Neither he not I ever met Miss Hauxwell. I thought she was rather exploited."

The couple's daughter and son in law, Alison and John Mitchell, now run the Birkdale farm.

He also leaves a son, Tommy, and another daughter, Sandra.

The funeral will be at Forest in Teesdale Parish Church this Saturday at 3pm.

His daughter Jackie commented: "He loved watching all sorts of sport on TV, so it is ironic that his funeral is taking place on cup final afternoon."

Lord Barnard said: "His death is a very sad loss for the upper dale. He was a very nice man who I was pleased to count as a friend.

"The revival of the Langdon Beck show was an excellent effort. He proved that he was the right man for the job."