Jeremy Clarkson, the well-known TV personality and former Top Gear host, has made an unexpected change of heart, revealing a major U-turn in his recent preferences.
Best known for his long-running career in motoring television, Clarkson spent over three decades hosting the iconic BBC show Top Gear, followed by his hit Amazon Prime series The Grand Tour. In recent years, however, the 65-year-old has ventured into the world of farming, taking on the operation of Diddly Squat Farm in Chadlington. The farm and its chaotic journey have been documented in the popular Prime Video show, Clarkson’s Farm, which showcases his humorous and often disastrous attempts at agricultural life.
In addition to his farming exploits, Clarkson has invested in local business ventures, including purchasing and rebranding The Windmill pub in Asthall. It is now known as The Farmer’s Dog, a popular establishment where Clarkson continues his support for British farming. The pub, like the farm, has become an integral part of his life in Oxfordshire.
Alongside his farming and entrepreneurial ventures, Clarkson also hosts the popular ITV quiz show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, a role that has brought him into regular contact with the city of Manchester. Initially, Clarkson was vocal about his dislike for the city. As a Yorkshireman, he once described his instinctive aversion to the people from across the Pennines, referring to the “wet side,” “gloomy side,” and “miserable side” of the north, with particular disdain for the Mancunian accent. His dislike for Manchester was apparent in his earlier comments, especially regarding the city’s iconic accents, which he compared unfavorably to the voices of figures like Sean Bean and Mark Knopfler.
However, Clarkson’s views have shifted over the years. In his column for The Sunday Times, he admitted that his frequent trips to Manchester for the filming of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? had gradually altered his perspective. Initially indifferent, he began to appreciate the city, then started to like it. Now, in a surprising twist, Clarkson has stated that he actually prefers Manchester over London.
He explained: “People from Yorkshire, like me, are born with an instinctive dislike of people from the other side of the Pennines. The wet side. The gloomy side. The miserable side. The side where everyone speaks with that stupid accent. If you’re going to sound northern, have the decency to talk like Sean Bean or Mark Knopfler, not Liam bloody Gallagher.”
Clarkson’s admission marks a significant shift in his outlook. While London has long been considered the cultural and business hub of the UK, it seems that Manchester has won Clarkson’s affection in a way few would have predicted. As he continues to balance his media career, farming ventures, and pub ownership, it is clear that the once stern critic of the northern city has found a new appreciation for its charm and character.
