Jeremy Clarkson launches attack on BBC Countryfile as he issues complaint over climate change coverage

Jeremy Clarkson has hit out at the BBC’s long-running nature show Countryfile following Sunday’s instalment, just moments after singing its praises online.

During Sunday’s episode, Charlotte Smith and Vick Hope explored the journey of the sugar beet in Britain and how it’s become a staple in the diets of those with a sweet tooth for decades.

Ms Hope headed to Norfolk to see firsthand how farmers are racing against time and battling the weather conditions to ensure they get the crops out of the ground.

Meanwhile, Ms Smith was given access to one of the country’s biggest processing plants to witness how the crop is transformed into homegrown sugar.

The episode wasn’t solely about beets, however, as Tom Heap investigated what is in the sewage sludge spread as fertiliser following the government’s plans to reform British farming.

With such a focus on how a British crop is produced, and how British farmers are working hard to keep production going, Mr Clarkson was initially full of praise as he watched from home.

“Has anyone else noticed how much better Country File has got in recent years?” Mr Clarkson began on X. “Tonight’s show is proper.” (sic)

He added: “No stupid people hugging trees and humming. Just proper farming stuff.”

The former Top Gear star wasn’t alone. Before long, a number of his followers agreed with his verdict on the new episode.

Mr Clarkson responded to one fan: “I thought the sugar beet story was great. All that to sweeten our coffee. Incredible.”

And when another X user offered their similarly glowing response, Mr Clarkson mused: “It’s like they’ve got rid of the idiots.”

However, Mr Clarkson’s tune quickly changed as the episode neared its conclusion.

“A hundred years after British sugar production began, the beet still rolls in, faster and more mechanised than ever,” Ms Smith said as she teed up the final segment of the show.

She added: “But by its own admission, British sugar still has a lot of work to do to lower its environmental impact.”

The Countryfile star then explained that, despite the East of England being rain-soaked during filming, it’s typically one of the driest areas of the country.

Ms Smith then spoke to the head of one of the factories to discuss the use of water during production in the region and its impact on local rivers and waterways. She questioned whether British sugar was “sustainable” in today’s age.

Upon hearing of the show’s change in direction towards environmental concerns, Mr Clarkson offered a more dismayed reaction.

“No wait. They’ve brought climate change into it. As you were,” the former Grand Tour star quipped.

And it seemed some of his followers were in agreement. “Even the best shows can’t escape the climate conversation,” one X user replied.

“What did you expect?” a second questioned, before a third added: “I watched it for the first time in years. Some poor beet farmer trying to sell a homemade sugar recipe before Climate Change got involved. This is why I don’t watch Countryfile – it’s the countryside for Townies.”

And another echoed: “Of course they did. At this point, it feels like climate change gets inserted into every discussion, no matter what the original topic was.”

However, others argued Mr Clarkson should’ve taken note of what was being discussed, given his role as a farmer on his own Oxfordshire location.

One argued: “Jeremy, Climate Change is literally the reason our summers and winters are becoming increasingly unpredictable, making it so much harder for farmers like yourself. You should be shouting from the rooftops about it…”

A second agreed: “Climate change won’t take a back seat when you want it to, Jeremy. Or do you think it’s made up?”