Jeremy Clarkson, 65, has shared his thoughts on the criticism the latest series of Clarkson’s Farm has faced following its release on Amazon Prime Video last month.
Over the course of eight episodes, fans witnessed the highs and lows of Clarkson’s journey to buy his own pub in the Cotswolds in order to sell solely British produce from British farms.
Taking place over the course of a number of months, the latest season also touched upon another “disaster” year of farming, with heavy rainfall and a mild winter rendering his latest harvest a nightmare.
There were several talking points to emerge from the latest batch of episodes as Clarkson set his sights on becoming a pub owner, from the introduction of new farmhand Harriet Cowan to a subliminal dig at Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
Add to the mix some worrying health news from fan-favourite Alan Townsend, a divisive return to Diddly Squat for Kaleb Cooper, and some almighty clashes with pub consultants Sue and Rachel Hawkins, and it’s safe to say fans had plenty to keep their attention piqued.
However, following the first three seasons of the show, and its very title, season four has found itself in the firing line for the amount of airtime dedicated to Clarkson’s pub venture.
While season four’s first few episodes revisited Clarkson’s incompetence on his farm as well as introducing Cowan to Diddly Squat to lend a helping hand, once the former Top Gear star set his sights on a pub, much of the storyline veered towards the purchase process.
Since the series aired, social media and online forum sites like Reddit have been flooded with fans airing their disappointment at the direction the show took, with many expressing their desire for farming to return as the main focus in the upcoming fifth season.
For instance, in one Reddit thread titled “Season 4 was more like Clarksons ‘Pub’ than Clarksons Farm”, one fan critiqued: “I watch the show for the farming not seeing someone redecorate a pub… boring a*s season.”
In a separate thread titled “As a farmer, I would prefer to see more competent farming”, a second user offered a more diplomatic observation. “I think the show would be a lot more interesting if they focused more on the farm, and less on the pub and other outside activities,” they said.
A third thread titled “Season 4 felt rushed, artificial and wasn’t exciting” detailed how one viewer felt “farming clearly took a back seat”, claiming: “Even when the farming was the main focus before the pub was even mentioned, or taken seriously, it felt secondary or rushed.”
The disgruntled Redditor went on to claim the “pub arc felt incredibly forced, artificial and staged”. Each thread was met with hundreds of comments from fellow fans sharing their similar thoughts on the show’s supposed change of tone.
Now, one fan’s similar critique has caught the eye of Clarkson himself, with the former Grand Tour host taking to X to respond to one fan’s complaint.
“Series 4 of Clarkson’s Farm. Who do we like most? Endgame? Or Richard Ham?” Clarkson posed to his 7.9 million X followers.
The fan replied: “Talking about the tv show, i enjoyed more when it was more farm related. The pub was as overwhelming to you as for us lol.” (sic)
Taking the feedback on-board, Clarkson addressed the suggestion the tone had shifted from the farming side of things. “I know what you mean but the pub IS farm related,” he hit back.” (sic)
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This isn’t the first time since season four arrived that Clarkson has used his social media platforms to address a rather big talking point from the series.
Earlier this month, Clarkson performed somewhat of a U-turn on the much talked about “jumbrellas” from season four despite, in no uncertain terms, dismissing Sue and Rachel’s costly suggestion.
But since the fourth season finale, Clarkson conceded the £40,000 feature was needed. “Turns out Sue and Rachel had a point. @thefarmersdogpub did need big umbrellas after all!!” Clarkson penned on Instagram alongside a snap of the “jumbrellas”.
Clarkson’s Farm newcomer Rachel couldn’t resist poking fun at the decision, especially after being on the receiving end of furious backlash from critics for quitting The Farmer’s Dog just two days after opening.
“AND BEHOLD..” Rachel wrote as she shared Clarkson’s Instagram post onto her own story. “The EXACT 40k umbrellas that have been the topic of so much discussion.”
She added a laughing emoji before continuing: “Not blocking the view & providing a year-round weather solution with heating & lighting in order that 75 guests can dine comfortably on the terrace all year round…
“Seems like 40k well spent? (Just 10 months, 2 stretch tents & 30 sun brollies later… [laughing emoji]),” she signed off. (sic)
Clarkson and the rest of the Diddly Squat family are currently filming the fifth season of Clarkson’s Farm, which is likely to be released in 2026.
