Matt Baker shares what he really thinks about Jeremy Clarkson's Farm

13 April 2024 , 18:00

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'He's effectively come to this world and he's realising and noticing things that those who are experienced have just learned to deal with," Matt Baker says of Jeremy Clarkson foray into farming (Image: Mark Taylor / Channel 4)

Matt Baker has shared his thoughts on controversial presenter Jeremy Clarkson's recent transition into the world of farming and agriculture.

Former Blue Peter presenter Matt, 46, lives on a farm in Hertfordshire with his wife Nicola Mooney and their two children, Luke and Molly, and has long been involved country life activity and farming, even presenting BBC One's Countryfile since 2009.

Our Dream Farm host Matt, who is currently on the lookout for new applicants to take on a ten year lease at Gallows Hill Farm on the National Trust's Wallington estate, has kept fans updated for years on his farm and his family's livestock, such as chickens and sheep.

In contrast, former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson is a relative newbie to the world of farming. The Who Wants To Be A Millionaire host, better known for his love of fast cars and city living, purchased a farm in 2008 but only took over the running of the land himself in 2019, when the local villager who had been maintaining the farm retired.

Clarkson quickly renamed the Sarsden estate in Oxfordshire Diddly Squat Farm and documented his attempts to run the 1,000-acre farm in the Cotswolds for an Amazon Prime series. The first series of Clarkson's Farm premiered in June 2021, with the series renewed for a fourth offering in November last year.

Jeremy Clarkson 'got the kicking he deserved' after vile Meghan Markle comments

During a recent interview to promote his new Channel 4 series Our Dream Farm, Matt was asked how he feels about Clarkson's foray into the world of farming. "He's effectively come to this world and he's realising and noticing things that those who are experienced have just learned to deal with, but I think highlighting those issues is really important," Matt began when answering.

'Jeremy Clarkson's brought a completely different audience to the world of rural television'

He continued: "He's brought a completely different audience to the world of rural television and that can only be a good thing. The more people understand the challenges, where British farming is right now and the challenges that lie ahead, the more understand and empathetic we as consumers can be for those that are doing their best to grow our food and to provide for us." Speaking to Bella magazine, Matt concluded: "For Clarkson to come into it and be questioning it and going 'What's happened with this? Why is this like this?' - those are all brilliant questions that actually need answering."

The future of Clarkson's Farm was thrown into doubt at the end of 2022, after Clarkson was held accountable for writing a vile column about Meghan Markle. Writing in The Sun in December that year, Clarkson stated: "I hate her. Not like I hate Nicola Sturgeon or Rose West. I hate her on a cellular level. At night, I'm unable to sleep as I lie there, grinding my teeth and dreaming of the day when she is made to parade naked through the streets of every town in Britain while the crowds chant, 'Shame!' and throw lumps of excrement at her."

Clarkson eventually apologised and stated he was "horrified to have caused so much hurt". Amid the fallout, it was reported that Amazon was considering ending its relationship with the presenter. However, Clarkson's Farm was renewed for a fourth season in November 2023, with the series likely to air in 2025.

Zoe Delaney