Jeremy Clarkson fans call for ‘knighthood’ as farmers rally to his defence after ban

Fans of the Clarkson’s Farm and The Grand Tour star have praised him

Jeremy Clarkson has been showered with praise by countless fans after his Hawkstone beer advert was banned from TV and radio.

Many people took to Instagram to laud Clarkson under a post in which farmers defended the presenter and the expletive-filled commercial.

One person posted: “JC needs a knighthood he’s a true Amy for Britain and our farming and engineering like cars his cider and beers quite good too [sic].”

As a second commented: “I would trust Clarkson over any member of the House of Commons to run England at this point.”

A third said: “With the greatest of respect, the Government should support farmers. Clarkson has highlighted many different aspects within his show. We all know that the common sense factor has gone out of the modern world but why do they give farmers so much nonsense year after year? I try to support local business where I can. I always buy my meat from the butchers and visit my local farm shop too.

“I’ll be heading to the @diddlysquat.farmshop, too on the not too distant future. Farm produce is so much better in quality than what you get in the supermarket [sic].”

Someone else posted: “Clarkson for prime minister it has to happen.”

Another person added: “If Clarkson stood for PM – I think he’d win with the biggest margin any democratic country has ever seen.”

The post in question spotlighted an article from trade magazine Farmers Weekly, which reports on all things agriculture, and gave readers an inside scoop on the making of the advert and the subsequent ban.

In the advert, a group of farmers sang together, performing a rendition of Flower Duet from the opera Lakmé as they clutched pints of Hawkstone lager.

The 34-strong choir, which included Clarkson’s Farm favourite Kaleb Cooper, performed the song, but there was a big change.

Instead of the original French lyrics, the singers belted out: “F*** me, it’s good,” along to the music.

The commercial ended with the music drawing to a close and Clarkson, with a pint in his hand, looking down the lens of the camera and telling viewers: “Hawkstone, it’s f***ing good.”

The advert was banned for being non-compliant, however, Buckinghamshire farmer Richard Heady, who features in the commercial, said it was simply “typical Clarkson” and “honest”.

Heady praised Clarkson and told Farmers Weekly how he and the other farmers were “really looked after” by the former Top Gear host.

Farmer’s wife from Petersfield, Hampshire, Gwen Woodruffe, who featured in the advert, said the group had an “amazing day” filming and hoped the ban would raise further awareness of British agriculture as a whole.

The advert came about after a group of farmers answered a casting call put across Facebook calling for farmers who could sing.

While the 10 strongest singers recorded their vocals in a studio, the rest were invited to record the video at Clarkson’s pub The Farmer’s Dog in Burford, Oxfordshire.