One of the most popular figures to emerge from Jeremy Clarkson’s hit Amazon Prime series Clarkson’s Farm has unexpectedly found himself at the center of a light-hearted but slightly ominous “threat” as the former Top Gear presenter campaigns for votes in the upcoming National Television Awards (NTAs).
On the morning of Tuesday, August 19, Jeremy Clarkson revealed to his fans that his show had officially been nominated in this year’s NTAs, a significant achievement considering the level of competition. The agricultural reality-documentary, which follows Clarkson’s often chaotic attempts to run his Oxfordshire estate, Diddly Squat Farm, has become one of the most talked-about and widely watched series on streaming television.
Since its debut in 2021, Clarkson’s Farm has gone from being viewed as a quirky side project for the outspoken presenter to a cultural phenomenon in its own right. The show now boasts four successful seasons, each capturing not only Clarkson’s comedic misadventures but also the harsh realities of farming life in Britain. The series showcases his partnership with Kaleb Cooper, the no-nonsense young farmer who frequently clashes with his boss’s eccentric methods, as well as the steadying presence of Clarkson’s partner Lisa Hogan. Together, they have helped turn the program into a unique blend of entertainment, education, and heartfelt storytelling about rural life.
This year, the NTAs have recognized Clarkson’s Farm in the prestigious Factual Entertainment category, where it will be battling against several heavyweight contenders: Channel 4’s Gogglebox, BBC’s Sort Your Life Out, The Martin Lewis Money Show Live, and Stacey & Joe. The award is decided entirely by public vote, giving viewers the power to crown their favorite program. Fans can cast their vote via the official NTA website until midday on Wednesday, September 10, with the awards ceremony taking place later that same day at The O2 Arena in London.
Never one to miss an opportunity for humor — or controversy — Clarkson has been energetically rallying his followers online to ensure victory. Taking to Instagram, he posted a message that immediately set tongues wagging:
“We’ve been nominated for an award. If we don’t win, Richard Ham gets it.”
While at first glance this may sound like a reference to his former Top Gear co-star Richard Hammond, long-time Clarkson’s Farm viewers know otherwise. “Richard Ham” is actually a much-loved resident of Diddly Squat: a particularly small pig of the rare and at-risk Oxford Sandy and Black breed. The cheeky threat instantly sparked reactions from fans, many of whom expressed mock horror at the idea that the pig’s fate could depend on a television award.
Clarkson has so far refused to clarify exactly what he meant by “gets it,” leaving the matter deliberately vague — and therefore even more entertaining for his followers. While the remark is almost certainly tongue-in-cheek, it has had the desired effect of drumming up publicity and energizing his loyal fan base to get out and vote.
As the countdown to the NTAs continues, the stakes have never felt higher for Clarkson and his team at Diddly Squat. Whether or not Clarkson’s Farm walks away with the trophy, the very fact that it has been nominated confirms its status as one of the most important factual entertainment series of recent years — a program that not only makes audiences laugh but also opens their eyes to the struggles and triumphs of modern farming.
And as for Richard Ham? Fans will just have to wait until September 10 to see if the little pig has anything to worry about.
