Jeremy Clarkson announces ‘bad news’ as TB outbreak hits Diddly Squat in Oxfordshire

Jeremy Clarkson has revealed a serious setback at his Diddly Squat Farm in Chipping Norton, West Oxfordshire, following the discovery of a bovine tuberculosis (TB) outbreak among his cattle. The former Top Gear presenter and current star of Clarkson’s Farm took to social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) to share the disheartening news with his followers.

“Bad news from Diddly Squat,” Clarkson posted. “We’ve gone down with TB. Everyone here is absolutely devastated.”

The situation became even more distressing when Clarkson confirmed that the infected animal is a pregnant cow carrying twins. “The offending animal is pregnant with twins,” he wrote in a later update, underscoring the emotional and financial toll of the disease on the farm.

One fan expressed concern over Endgame, a prize breeding bull that Clarkson purchased for £5,500 and which featured in the most recent season of the show. In response, Clarkson revealed that Endgame’s TB test had returned as “inconclusive.” He added, “I couldn’t bear it if we lost him,” highlighting the bond he has formed with the animal and the uncertainty that still looms over its fate.

Clarkson clarified that the disease affecting the farm is bovine TB, a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium bovis, which primarily affects cattle but can also be spread to other animals, including badgers. Importantly, he reassured fans that the disease “does not affect people,” but added, “just our poor cows,” showing empathy for the animals under his care.

Under strict government regulations, cattle that test positive for TB — or have two inconclusive test results — are classified as “reactors.” These animals must be immediately isolated and eventually culled to prevent the spread of infection. Such measures, while necessary, can have a devastating impact on small farming operations like Diddly Squat.

Bovine TB is a long-standing issue in the UK’s agricultural sector, with the disease capable of spreading both from cow to cow and from badgers to cattle. As part of its control strategy, the government has historically resorted to culling badgers in high-risk areas — a controversial practice that has drawn widespread criticism from wildlife conservationists and animal welfare groups.

However, in a significant policy shift, the UK Government recently announced that it would not be extending the badger cull and reaffirmed its commitment to end the practice entirely before the next general election. This change comes despite persistent concerns from farmers and agricultural stakeholders about rising TB cases.

Chipping Norton, where Clarkson’s farm is located, lies within a designated TB “edge area.” These buffer zones exist between regions of high and low TB risk and require cattle herds to undergo testing every six months. According to recent data from ibTB, a mapping platform tracking bovine TB outbreaks in England and Wales, there have been several recent cases reported in the Oxfordshire area, including near Diddly Squat Farm.

Fans of Clarkson’s Farm, the hit Amazon Prime documentary series that first aired in 2021, have responded with an outpouring of sympathy and support. Many took to X to express their condolences and encouragement as Clarkson and his team face yet another farming challenge. The show, which candidly portrays the unpredictable highs and lows of life in agriculture, is currently slated to return for a fifth season.

This latest development adds another emotional chapter to Clarkson’s journey as a farmer — a life he once viewed with bemusement, but now approaches with deep commitment and vulnerability.