Kaleb Cooper, widely known for his role on Clarkson’s Farm, has shared a concerning health update after revealing he has been diagnosed with shingles, a condition he described as extremely painful.
The 27-year-old farmer from Chipping Norton became a fan favourite when the Amazon Prime Video series first launched in 2021. Initially introduced as the practical and outspoken farm manager helping Jeremy Clarkson navigate the realities of agriculture at Diddly Squat Farm, Cooper quickly built a strong following thanks to his straightforward humour and deep knowledge of farming. Since that debut season, he has appeared in every subsequent instalment of the programme, including the fourth season released earlier this year.
Away from television, Cooper has also experienced major milestones in his personal life. He and his partner, Taya, share three children together, most recently welcoming their son Ashton in September 2025. Despite balancing family life, television work, public appearances and farming responsibilities, Cooper has remained highly active on social media, where he often shares updates about life on and off the farm.
However, in a recent video posted to Instagram, Cooper revealed he is currently dealing with shingles, a viral infection that can cause intense nerve pain and a painful rash. Speaking candidly in the short clip while working outdoors, he explained just how severe the discomfort has been.
“So, question,” he told his followers. “I’m outside moving bales, and I’ve never been in so much pain in my life.”
Cooper then confirmed the diagnosis, expressing surprise that someone his age could develop the condition. “I’m 27 years old, and I’ve got shingles,” he said. “It is so painful. I thought only older people get that.”
The Clarkson’s Farm star went on to describe the sensation as constant nerve discomfort throughout his body. “Honestly, it’s like pins and needles continuously in your body,” he explained, clearly frustrated by the experience.
He then turned to his followers for advice, asking whether there was any way to speed up recovery. “How do I get rid of it?” he asked. “Can I get rid of it really quickly? Like maybe take a tablet or something, I don’t know.”
Shingles, medically known as herpes zoster, is caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus, which can remain dormant in the body for years after a person first contracts chickenpox. According to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), the infection typically leads to a painful rash that usually appears on one side of the body. Many patients also experience burning sensations, tingling, or nerve pain before the rash appears.
While shingles is more commonly associated with older adults or individuals with weakened immune systems, it can affect younger people as well. The NHS advises anyone who suspects they may have shingles to seek advice from a pharmacist or contact NHS 111 as soon as possible, as antiviral treatment can help reduce the severity and duration of the illness if taken early.
Despite the discomfort he is currently experiencing, Cooper is expected to return to television screens later this year as Clarkson’s Farm prepares for its fifth season. The series has grown into one of Prime Video’s most successful documentary-style programmes, combining humour with an honest look at the challenges facing modern farming in the UK.
Production for the new season has already been completed, and fans are anticipating another round of adventures at Diddly Squat Farm involving Clarkson, Cooper, Lisa Hogan and the rest of the team. If the show follows the same schedule as previous seasons, the next instalment could arrive on Prime Video around May, with reports suggesting that up to eight new episodes may be released.
For now, however, Cooper appears to be focusing on managing his health while continuing his daily farming work. His candid update has already prompted a wave of support and advice from fans, many of whom have shared their own experiences with shingles and offered suggestions for coping with the condition.
