James May has taken a playful jab at his long-time friend and co-star Jeremy Clarkson, joking that the Clarkson’s Farm host “doesn’t know anything about farming” — even after several seasons of running his hit Prime Video series based at Diddly Squat Farm.
The two, who famously worked together for over two decades on Top Gear and The Grand Tour alongside Richard Hammond, have each pursued their own projects in recent years. While Clarkson has become the face of British agriculture through his farming show, May has been busy with a variety of travel, cooking, and documentary ventures.
In an exclusive interview with the Oxford Mail, James May opened up about his thoughts on possibly appearing on Clarkson’s Farm — and he didn’t hold back on the banter.
“Well, I have been there [Diddly Squat Farm] because we’ve had various meetings there back in the old days,” May said. “But I’ve never actually done any farming, no. I did have a little cameo in the show when I was on Zoom, advising him [Jeremy Clarkson] about pubs, but no, I don’t particularly want to do farming. I don’t know anything about that.”
Then, with his trademark dry wit, he added, “I’m not sure he does either, though, you know.”
May’s comments come as Clarkson’s Farm continues to enjoy huge success. The show, which has run for four seasons with a fifth on the way in 2026, follows Jeremy Clarkson as he navigates the unpredictable world of farming in Chadlington, Oxfordshire. Despite his initial inexperience, the former Top Gear host has become a surprising ambassador for British agriculture, tackling real-world issues such as government red tape, livestock health crises, and financial setbacks — often with humour and frustration in equal measure.
Richard Hammond, their fellow Grand Tour companion, made a brief appearance in the most recent season, in a lighthearted nod to the tractor hanging from the ceiling of Clarkson’s Cotswolds pub, The Farmer’s Dog.
While James May has now ruled out trading in his car keys for a pair of muddy boots, fans of the trio can still catch him on stage this autumn. The presenter is set to embark on his “Explorers – The Age of Discovery Tour,” with a live show scheduled at the New Theatre in Oxford on Tuesday, October 21, promising more of the sharp humour and storytelling that have made him a British television favourite.
Even if May never takes to the fields of Diddly Squat, his comments are a reminder that — behind the scenes and in front of the camera — the legendary trio’s mix of rivalry and camaraderie is still very much alive.
