Jeremy Clarkson has revealed he was left feeling frustrated and “exasperated” by his Clarkson’s Farm co-star Kaleb Cooper while working together on his Cotswolds estate.
The pair feature on the hugely popular Prime Video documentary, Clarkson’s Farm, which offers viewers an intimate look at life on the TV star’s sprawling Diddly Squat Farm in Chadlington. The series has won praise for its mix of humor, real-life farming challenges, and Clarkson’s unfiltered personality, while also showcasing the dedication of his supporting team, particularly the young and energetic Mr Cooper.
Kaleb Cooper, 27, is an Oxfordshire local from nearby Chipping Norton, and he has become a familiar face on the show as Clarkson’s trusted farmhand. Rising to fame through the programme, he has appeared in all four seasons to date and will return for the upcoming fifth season, which recently finished filming in September. Known for his hands-on approach and sharp practical knowledge, Cooper has earned respect for his skills in running machinery, managing livestock, and navigating the day-to-day challenges of the farm.
Despite Cooper’s competence, Clarkson has admitted that interacting with him can sometimes be a test of patience. In his new book, Diddly Squat: The Farmer’s Dog, the 65-year-old star recounted a recent incident that left him “exasperated.”
“I see Kaleb Cooper, my farm manager, most days, but it’s often difficult to get a conversation going,” Clarkson wrote. “It’s not that he’s thick, he really isn’t. You can ask him how much diesel you’ll need in a 150-horsepower tractor to clear 40 bales from a nine-acre field, and he’ll know instantly. He’s brilliant with the practical side of farming. But when it comes to cultural knowledge, he’s completely in the dark.”
Clarkson went on to explain the gaps in Cooper’s pop culture awareness that had him bewildered. “He’s never heard of Robert De Niro, and he’s never watched a James Bond film. Last week, I discovered he had never even listened to Fleetwood Mac. I found this absolutely exasperating,” he admitted.
He described a particularly amusing exchange with the young farmhand: “He tried to argue that Fleetwood Mac was before his time. ‘Yes, but so was Mozart,’ I thundered. ‘Who’s Mozart?’ he replied.” The interaction, Clarkson noted, perfectly illustrates the contrast between his world-weary, cultured perspective and Cooper’s more pragmatic, hands-on outlook.
Despite occasional clashes, the dynamic between Clarkson and Cooper remains a central element of the show’s charm. Their differing personalities—Clarkson’s love of history and culture versus Cooper’s grounded, practical approach to farming—create a mix of humor, tension, and genuine camaraderie that has resonated with fans.
Series five of Clarkson’s Farm is now in post-production and, according to reports, is expected to follow the same format as previous seasons, highlighting the challenges, triumphs, and sometimes hilarious misadventures of running a large farm in the Cotswolds. Fans can anticipate its release in the spring of next year, ready to witness more of the banter, blunders, and unexpected moments that have made the series a global hit.
