Jeremy Clarkson has blasted “complete nonsense” fake news about his farm staff, including false reports that one Clarkson’s Farm star had died.
He and his co-stars have been victims of AI-generated stories that make false claims, with hoax posts frequently appearing on social media sites, including Facebook.
The TV star wrote in his Saturday column for The Sun that he had seen posts about himself and partner Lisa Hogan, as well as farm manager Kaleb Cooper. However, he was most angry about the fake reports on his farm staff who weren’t used to being in the public eye, as it was distressing for them to read.
He wrote: “On Facebook this week, we heard from just my farm alone that Gerald has died, Kaleb has had another kid, Lisa has left me and I’ve broken my leg. All of the stories were accompanied by a completely realistic photograph. And all of them were complete nonsense.
“Do I mind? Yes. Mostly because Gerald is unused to being in the public eye and it worries him that his kids see this kind of thing online. So whoever’s doing it, pack it in. And stop digitally removing clothes as well, you halfwits.”
Clarkson had spoken about Gerald’s cancer diagnosis in series three of Clarkson’s Farm, where he said: “I’ve been phoning around, doctors and things I know, and his odds are really good, but it’s scaring him to death.
“I know he doesn’t understand and he’s bewildered because, for obvious reasons, somebody said, ‘Look, I’m sorry it’s cancer’, and that’s all he heard. He’s desperately upset, terrified. Poor man.”
Gerald, who features in the Prime series, has since shared that he was successfully treated.
Clarkson also shared some happy news over the weekend: The Hawkstonian, the racehorse he owns as part of a syndicate and which is named after his Hawkstone Brewery, won its first race.
The Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? host posted on X: “Hawkstonians. I’m receiving word that our horse triumphed today at the Blue Ditch course in Wales. I’m going to celebrate with a beer.”
Meanwhile, jockey Ben Jones, who rode the horse to victory, told Sky Sports he was hoping for a reward at Clarkson’s pub, The Farmer’s Dog, saying: “I might get a free meal in the pub now!”
