Jeremy Clarkson, the outspoken and beloved TV presenter, has made a surprising U-turn in his views, one that’s bound to raise a few eyebrows. The former Top Gear host and The Grand Tour star, known for his fiery opinions and larger-than-life personality, has recently shared an unexpected change of heart about a place he once considered unappealing.
For over three decades, Clarkson has been a staple in the world of motoring television. But in recent years, he’s ventured beyond the car world, embracing a quieter life on his Oxfordshire farm. Diddly Squat Farm, located in the picturesque village of Chadlington, became the setting for his popular Prime Video series, Clarkson’s Farm, where he documents his often hilarious and chaotic attempts at farming.
But Clarkson’s ventures don’t stop at farming. In addition to running his farm, the 65-year-old now owns The Farmer’s Dog pub in Asthall. This latest business endeavor came after he bought The Windmill for £1,000,000 and transformed it into a pub that focuses on British produce. His pub has quickly become another beloved feature of Clarkson’s multifaceted life in the Cotswolds.
Outside of his farming and pub businesses, Clarkson continues to shine on television. He is the host of the widely popular quiz show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? on ITV. Despite his busy schedule, Clarkson’s work takes him to Manchester, where the quiz show is filmed. Initially, Clarkson wasn’t too fond of the city, and it’s no secret that he harbored a certain rivalry with the north of England, particularly with the residents of Manchester.
In his column for The Sunday Times, Clarkson admitted that he was initially put off by the city’s vibe. In his characteristic style, he wrote: “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.” He even joked about the accents, quipping that if you’re going to speak in a northern dialect, it should sound more like the voice of Sean Bean or Mark Knopfler, rather than the infamous Liam Gallagher.
However, after spending the last eight years traveling to Manchester for Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, Clarkson’s feelings have drastically changed. “I came to not mind it, and then I started to like it, and now—drum roll, please—I think it might be better than London,” he confessed, admitting that his perception of Manchester had shifted entirely.
It’s a remarkable U-turn for a man known for his bold opinions and fierce loyalty to his roots. What started as a begrudging tolerance has transformed into a genuine fondness, and Clarkson now seems to prefer Manchester over London, a city that has long been considered the epicenter of British life. As for what has changed, perhaps it’s the warmth of the people, the city’s unique character, or just Clarkson’s growing appreciation for the north. Whatever the reason, his newfound affection for Manchester is certainly a surprise, but as always with Clarkson, his honesty and willingness to embrace change make him all the more relatable.
