Jeremy Clarkson, the well-known former Top Gear and Grand Tour star, has shared some heartbreaking news from his Diddly Squat Farm in Oxfordshire, leaving fans saddened. Clarkson, who owns both a farm and a pub in the scenic Cotswolds region of West Oxfordshire, has been keeping fans updated about his life and his farming endeavors through his popular Amazon Prime show Clarkson’s Farm, which first aired in 2021.
The farm, which Clarkson took over in 2008, is located in Chadlington, while his pub, The Farmer’s Dog, opened in 2024, is in Asthall, near Burford. These locations have become familiar to viewers of the hit documentary series, which documents Clarkson’s often chaotic but endearing efforts to manage the farm. With four successful seasons under its belt, the show is gearing up for its highly anticipated fifth season, which wrapped filming in September 2025.
However, despite the excitement surrounding the new season, Clarkson has revealed some unfortunate news. In an exclusive interview with The Sun, the 65-year-old TV personality opened up about the difficult decision to put down one of his farm’s donkeys, a situation that has cast a shadow over the farm’s otherwise good news. Clarkson shared that after seven months of lockdown, Diddly Squat Farm had finally been declared TB-free, a significant milestone for the farm. Just as he and his team were preparing to celebrate this achievement, they received the devastating news that one of their donkeys had been diagnosed with laminitis, a painful and often fatal condition that affects the hooves.
In his statement, Clarkson said: “After seven months of lockdown, Diddly Squat farm became officially TB-free this week. But before we had a chance to celebrate, we found out that one of our donkeys has laminitis and must be put down. In farming, it seems you are allowed one bit of good news, but it must always be accompanied by some kind of disaster.” This bittersweet revelation highlights the unpredictable nature of farming, where progress and setbacks often go hand-in-hand.
In addition to this personal loss, Clarkson also took the opportunity to give fans an update on the return of Clarkson’s Farm to screens. Earlier this month, a fan reached out to him on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), asking when the new season of the show would be airing. The fan humorously mentioned that their son had been pestering them with the question. Clarkson, ever the candid personality, responded saying, “May. I think. It’s not up to me.” This update has only fueled the anticipation for the new season, which is expected to bring more of Clarkson’s signature humor and farming antics.
The journey on Diddly Squat Farm has certainly been a rollercoaster ride for Clarkson. From battling through unexpected hurdles like the challenges of farming during a pandemic, to facing the reality of running a farm with little prior experience, Clarkson’s resilience and humor have resonated with viewers around the world. Despite the emotional highs and lows, Clarkson’s Farm continues to captivate audiences, and Clarkson’s candidness about the ups and downs of farm life has only strengthened his connection with fans.
With Clarkson’s Farm set to return in May 2026, fans can look forward to more insight into Clarkson’s farming journey. And while the farm faces its struggles, there’s no doubt that Clarkson will continue to take on each challenge with the same humor and determination that has made him a beloved figure both on and off the screen.
