**Jeremy Clarkson Faces Heartbreak on Diddly Squat Farm Amid Bovine TB Outbreak**
Jeremy Clarkson, well recognised for his television work on ‘Top Gear’ and more recently his rural exploits on ‘Clarkson’s Farm,’ has issued a somber update from his estate in Oxfordshire, describing an extraordinarily difficult week. This comes as a spate of serious troubles befell his cherished Diddly Squat Farm, set near Chipping Norton, with the discovery of bovine tuberculosis (TB) among his herd, the illness of a newborn calf, and the unexpected loss of a puppy.
The 65-year-old television personality spoke candidly on Times Radio, detailing the emotional weight of recent events. “It’s awful, it is awful,” Clarkson admitted, explaining how six-monthly TB tests had become a routine part of farm life. Yet this time, the reality struck hard. “You sort of become blasé, it’s a hypothetical threat. Then the vet looks up and says, ‘I’m really sorry, this one’s failed.’ We’re now in lockdown and it’s just dreadful, absolutely dreadful.”
Clarkson revealed that in just under a day since learning of the TB case, he has found it difficult to think of much else. Further compounding the situation, he discovered on Friday morning that one of his puppies had passed away, and added, “We’ve got a very sickly calf as well. Honestly, farming? I’m not enjoying it this week.”
Bovine tuberculosis is a significant concern for UK farmers, leading to devastating impacts for agricultural businesses. If cattle fail TB tests, or have inconclusive results over two consecutive checks, they are designated as “reactors.” These animals must be isolated from the herd and are subsequently slaughtered, in line with government regulations intended to curb the continuation of the disease.
Clarkson also addressed questions on social media regarding the fate of Endgame, a prize bull he recently purchased for £5,500. He revealed, “His test was ‘inconclusive.’ I couldn’t bear it if we lost him.” In a subsequent clarification, he added that while the farm itself is not closed, strict rules now prevent the purchase or sale of cattle until restrictions are lifted.
Bovine TB is largely transmitted through the inhalation of droplets from infected animals. Culling badgers, natural carriers of the disease, has been a contentious facet of government efforts to control outbreaks, drawing sharp criticism from animal welfare advocates, including prominent figures like Queen guitarist Sir Brian May. Notably, the government announced in June that it does not intend to expand the badger cull and remains committed to ending the practice before the next general election.
Oxfordshire, where Diddly Squat Farm lies, is classified as an “edge area” – a buffer region between high and low TB risk zones. This means herds in the locality are regularly subjected to six-monthly TB screenings. Maps tracking the incidence of bovine TB have shown several cases in the vicinity of Clarkson’s farm in recent weeks, highlighting wider concerns for local livestock farmers.
Clarkson’s agricultural journey, brought to public attention through his Amazon Prime series ‘Clarkson’s Farm’ since 2021, continues to cast a spotlight on the real challenges and emotional toll faced by British farmers. His open discussions about both triumphs and setbacks have fostered a newfound respect for the farming community among many of his viewers.
Most recently, Clarkson attended a farmers’ protest in London, demonstrating his growing commitment to rural issues and speaking out against government proposals on farmland inheritance tax. His candid approach, both on screen and off, has made him a vocal supporter of farmers’ struggles in the evolving landscape of British agriculture.
As Clarkson’s story unfolds, it not only illustrates the highs and lows of one television personality’s foray into farming, but also acts as a reminder of the resilience required by those who work the land—facing adversity, heartbreak, and ever-changing threats from nature and policy alike.