Jeremy Clarkson Sends ‘Clarkson’s Farm’ Cameras Away After “Miserable” Year
Jeremy Clarkson has revealed that filming for Clarkson’s Farm Season 5 has officially wrapped — and not a moment too soon. After what he describes as a “conveyor belt of misery,” the former Top Gear host says he has finally sent the cameras away, bringing an end to one of the toughest years of his life on Diddly Squat Farm.
A Year of Exhaustion and Setbacks
In his column for The Sun, Clarkson shared that the past twelve months at Diddly Squat Farm have been “knackering” — a British understatement for physically and emotionally draining.
“It isn’t [funny or cheerful],” Clarkson admitted. “Because the last 12 months have been a conveyor belt of misery.”
The presenter explained that the challenges began with his health. While juggling harvest time and the opening of his new pub, The Farmer’s Dog, Clarkson was hospitalised, prompting him to take a long, hard look at his lifestyle. “My heart decided I really had to slow down,” he confessed.
Health Scares and Hospital Tests
The year began with a major health scare. In June, Clarkson revealed that he had spent eight hours in hospital undergoing prostate examinations to rule out cancer. Writing in The Mirror, he reflected on the intrusive nature of the tests with his signature humour:
“They can photograph your ventricles and every bit of your brain,” he wrote. “But if they want to know what’s going on with your prostate, which lives in the anus, for some reason the doctor has to put his finger in there. I can only assume it’s because he likes it.”
The scare followed a previous health episode in 2023, which Clarkson described as a near-death experience. Since then, he has been closely monitoring his wellbeing, though his busy farming life has made that difficult.
Economic Pressure and Political Frustration
Adding to his woes, Clarkson also expressed anger over the impact of the UK government’s latest spring Budget on the agricultural sector. In particular, he criticised Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s policies, which he claims have caused fertiliser prices to soar.
The outspoken television personality has used his platform repeatedly to highlight how government decisions affect real farmers. “It’s one thing after another,” he said. “Between rising costs, weather extremes, and bureaucracy, farming feels harder every year.”
Tragedy Strikes: A TB Outbreak on the Farm
Perhaps the most devastating blow came when a tuberculosis outbreak hit Diddly Squat Farm. One of Clarkson’s cows — a pregnant heifer carrying twins — tested positive and had to be put down.
“Even though she was pregnant with twins, she had to be destroyed,” he explained grimly. “And what happens to her after that? Burned? Dissolved in acid? Nope. She goes into the food chain like any other farm animal.”
The incident left a deep mark on Clarkson, who has often said that the emotional side of farming is something viewers rarely see. “You get attached to these animals,” he once wrote. “Losing them is the hardest part.”
Filming Fatigue: Giving the Crew a Break
After months of hardships, Clarkson decided to halt production and give the crew a rest. “Well, we’ve sent the cameras away to give us a break from that side of things for a while,” he confirmed.
While fans might be disappointed, Clarkson insists the decision was necessary. The team had filmed continuously for five seasons, often enduring extreme weather and long working days to capture the realities of farm life.
Despite his exhaustion, Clarkson found a few silver linings. “In the relentless sunshine, the Cotswolds did look fantastic,” he wrote. “But at the coalface, it was knackering.”
A Glimpse Behind the Scenes
Earlier this month, Clarkson posted a celebratory photo on Instagram confirming that filming for Clarkson’s Farm Season 5 had officially wrapped. The image featured Clarkson alongside his partner Lisa Hogan and the Diddly Squat team — Kaleb Cooper, Charlie Ireland, and Gerald Cooper — gathered around a campfire.
He captioned the post simply: “Season 5. It’s a wrap.”
The group looked cheerful but visibly weary after what has clearly been a long, difficult shoot. The post drew thousands of supportive comments from fans, many praising Clarkson for his honesty and perseverance.
Fans Show Support After “Miserable” Year
Despite the bleak tone of Clarkson’s column, fans have rallied behind him. One follower wrote: “Looking forward to the next season. You’ve taught our family a lot about farming and how hard it really is.”
Another joked: “The others are engagement farmers,” referencing Clarkson’s earlier warnings about fake social media accounts pretending to represent Clarkson’s Farm.
Many fans have also expressed admiration for his continued advocacy for farmers. One comment read: “You’ve done more to raise awareness about the struggles of British farmers than anyone in decades.”
What’s Next for Clarkson’s Farm
Although the cameras are packed away, fans won’t have to wait too long. Clarkson’s Farm Season 5 is now in post-production and is expected to premiere on Amazon Prime Video in spring 2026, following the release pattern of previous seasons.
The upcoming series is likely to showcase both the beauty and the brutality of farming life — from droughts and disease to small triumphs that make the struggle worthwhile.
For Clarkson, the future remains uncertain but hopeful. As he takes time to recover from a difficult year, one thing is clear: his commitment to farming — and to telling its story — is stronger than ever.
In his own words: “It’s been miserable, knackering, and frustrating — but it’s still the best job I’ve ever had.”
