Jeremy Clarkson Is Struggling: “My Last Roll Of The Dice”
Jeremy Clarkson, the renowned former Top Gear host, has candidly shared the challenging financial reality of running Diddly Squat Farm. Despite his multiple income streams and a TV series, Clarkson confronts a distressing financial situation, leaving the future of the farm uncertain.
Key Takeaways:
- Financial Realities: Clarkson purchased Diddly Squat Farm in the Cotswolds in 2019, but faced a harsh reality with a profit of only £114 in his first year. His recent statements highlight the dire financial strain he is under, calling it his “last roll of the dice.”
- Farming Challenges: Highlighting the broader issues in agriculture, Clarkson points out the minimal profits farmers make from large corporations and supermarkets. This reflects the systemic challenges in the farming industry, exacerbated by reduced government subsidies.
- The Future of Diddly Squat Farm: Despite Clarkson’s Farm becoming a tourist attraction and possibly more TV series in the pipeline, financial concerns persist. Clarkson’s decision to plant mustard as a last hope shows his commitment to the farm, amidst looming financial pressures.
Jeremy Clarkson’s journey with Diddly Squat Farm has been anything but smooth. After purchasing the farm back in 2019, he faced the harsh reality of farming economics. In a candid admission, Clarkson revealed the financial strains he’s been experiencing, stating that he’s “screwed” due to the farming subsidies being “cut to the bone.” This situation is starkly highlighted by his first year’s profit of merely £114.
Clarkson’s insights into the farming industry reveal a troubling picture.
“How much of the £4 it charges for a Big Mac goes to the farmers who grew the cows and the potatoes and the flour and the tomatoes and whatever it is McDonald’s puts in that delicious sauce?… Not much.”
The TV star has tried to turn the tide through his series “Clarkson’s Farm,” which not only brought attention to the farm but also turned it into a tourist spot. However, this hasn’t significantly alleviated his financial woes. In his book “Pigs Might Fly,” Clarkson expressed his determination by planting mustard, a move to deter pests and a symbol of his last attempt to save the farm.
“It would be easy for me to let the brambles and badgers take over my farmland and to sit back and watch the deer and squirrels eat all the trees in my woods. Which is why this morning, I decided to plant my game covers with mustard. It’s my last roll of the dice.
“My last chance to make something – anything – work,” he admitted. “And if it doesn’t? I don’t even want to think about it. It hurts my knees and my outgoings this year are truly terrifying, even for me with four other income streams.
“So I can’t hand it back to nature and I daren’t move forwards.”
Despite the challenges, there seems to be a glimmer of hope with the potential of another series of “Clarkson’s Farm.” Clarkson’s girlfriend, Lisa Hogan, hinted at more episodes to come on Instagram, sparking curiosity and hope among fans.
