Independent readers responding to Nick Hilton’s article on Jeremy Clarkson’s remarkable reputation revival were sharply divided over whether Clarkson’s Farm has genuinely benefited British agriculture or simply helped rehabilitate one of television’s most controversial figures.
Many argued that Clarkson deserves credit for bringing farming into the national conversation. Commenters praised the programme for exposing the realities of modern agriculture – from long hours and financial uncertainty to bureaucracy and unpredictable weather – and several suggested it has done more to raise public awareness of farmers’ struggles than traditional programmes such as Countryfile.
Supporters also pointed to Clarkson’s repeated acknowledgement that his wealth cushions him from the pressures faced by most farmers, arguing that he has used his platform to highlight issues that might otherwise receive little attention.
Others took a very different view. Echoing themes raised in the article, critics argued that Clarkson’s popularity should not obscure his long history of controversies, from offensive remarks to his assault of a BBC producer. Some questioned whether a wealthy celebrity can credibly speak for ordinary farming families, while others saw his Amazon-backed venture as an exercise in brand-building rather than genuine advocacy.
One theme that emerged repeatedly was the tension between Clarkson the entertainer and Clarkson the campaigner. Even many critics accepted that the programme has shone a spotlight on farming, while supporters acknowledged his flaws but considered them outweighed by the good the show has done for the industry.
Here’s what you had to say:
He criticises himself
He openly admits to often being a hypocrite, and to being blessed that he can afford to do what he does. He’s openly critical of himself more than most other celebrities.
He does what he can to give back to the community, and to use his position in the media to help the farming community and other good causes.
BlueWhale
Entertaining but a charlatan
Victoria Derbyshire caught him with his integrity and honesty down around his ankles, and he – truly offensively – tried to blag it away by blaming the “typical” BBC.
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day
New subscribers only. £9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled.
Try for free
ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day
New subscribers only. £9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled.
Try for free
ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
The BBC – one of the most honourable and respected institutions “in the wuurld”, from which he was sacked because he behaved like a thug.
Clarkson – you are hugely entertaining – but a complete and utter charlatan.
DevsAd
‘Patriotic’ actions
Whatever the odious, greedy Clarkson does, people will still remember him punching an innocent BBC employee for the crime of giving him a salad. And who could forget his well-publicised hopes to see the former Duchess of Sussex naked on a horse and pelted with ordure? Then there’s the millionaire’s admission that he cynically invested in land to avoid income tax [which Clarkson has recently back-pedalled on] while supporting and joining with similar rich “men of the soil” to bring London to a halt in protests.
Such anti-social, disruptive “patriotic” actions cost the UK economy billions, but that’s of no consequence to ‘Ur Jezza’.
hayneman
Bringing farming realities to the forefront
Clarkson himself has said on several occasions during the show that he is lucky he has income from elsewhere to support the farm and his projects and that, in reality, farmers in this country don’t. He’s brought to the forefront what a working farm is like – the long hours, being at the mercy of the weather, the bureaucracy. Yes, he makes money from it, but we’re in a capitalist society, and he’s also doing a lot of good. The farmers appreciate that.
Lils
A misunderstood comedian
Clarkson is a comedian. He is completely misunderstood by the humourless, who take his tongue-in-cheek comments seriously.
Ian Haliburton
Countryfile is way above Clarkson
The BBC show Countryfile every Sunday evening can only be far more honest and informative than anything Amazon and Clarkson would be capable of producing. The young farming families it visits all seem to love their lives and, like the rest of us, are worried by escalating costs. Climate change looms as their biggest worry, and the wisest among them are planning ahead far more than the rest of us seem to be doing. The most enterprising seem to be making the most of AI and robotics since most farms have only family to rely on. The presenters are way above the quality and intelligence of snobbish gashead, footpath-blocker Clarkson. Surely only his own kind, be they farmer or boy racer, would prefer watching his outpourings rather than the sober, genuine article.
The fact that he appears on Amazon TV tells me who he’s working for, and it isn’t the farmers feeding us at the bottom but those who’ll be supplying his enablers at the luxury end.
Fallingapart
Raising awareness of farmers’ struggles
But for Clarkson, how many of us would be aware of the difficulties farmers face? Not just the practical “hard work and long hours”, but the “red tape and inexplicably complex rules, regulations and restrictions”.
A documentary on the difficulties of farming would not attract anything like the viewing figures.
DBlenkinsop
The appeal of Clarkson’s Farm
The reason the show is so successful is because Clarkson is the opposite of his former roles: he is the fall guy, the village idiot who mostly doesn’t know what he is doing. However, he is also highlighting the massive problems farmers have, and for good reason. The National Farming Awards said Clarkson’s Farm has done more for farming in one year than 30 years of BBC Countryfile.
The Notebook
The biggest TV draw
“Undesirable to any broadcaster”? He’s the biggest TV draw in the world.
Dodgy Geezer
One of the good guys
Scandal? What scandal? He’s not a politician, just an ordinary bloke who made good via his writing and TV appearances. Crotchety? Well, yes, but he isn’t the only one not to suffer fools gladly. There are lots of us fed up with the lazy, don’t-give-a-stuff people who are supposed to provide a service to others and who don’t. Years ago they would be fired for incompetence; today they fall back on employment tribunals or taxpayer handout services if anyone dares to do so.
So no, Clarkson is one of the good guys in my book. He has principles, honesty and compassion for those less able in our society, and that is a good thing, in my opinion. So get off his back and aim your ire at those who really deserve it.
OlTom
Farage and farming
Clarkson has done great things for UK farmers by providing a window into the difficulties, risks and traumas they face via a sometimes hilarious cinematographic marvel on Amazon.
It’s disappointing, then, to see him pushing Reform UK Ltd as something UK farmers are turning to.
Nigel Farage’s failed Brexit has done untold harm to both the UK farming and fishing communities.
wolfie
A hobby farmer with millions
He is a “hobby farmer” who doesn’t have to worry about the myriad issues faced by those who don’t have his millions in the bank.
TDme
Some of the comments have been edited for this article for brevity and clarity.
Want to share your views? Simply click ‘log in’ or ‘register’ in the top right corner to sign in or sign up. Once registered, you can comment on the day’s top stories for a chance to have your opinions showcased.
Want your voice to stand out? Independent Premium subscribers enjoy priority for featured comments. Subscribe here.
Make sure you adhere to our community guidelines, which can be found here. For a full guide on how to comment, click here.
