Johnny Vegas slams ‘set-up’ Jeremy Clarkson farm show as he slaps down ‘insulting’ comparisons to glamping series

The comedian stepped foot into the world of glamping back in 2021 and the Channel 4 documentary series delves into the trials and tribulations that face him as a new business owner.

After making the switch from the spotlight to business owner – and bringing the journey to screens – comparisons to Clarkson’s farming venture have arisen.

However, they’re not comparisons Vegas feels are justified with the comedian suggesting Clarkson’s Farm is “set up” for the cameras.

“This isn’t just for a TV show; this is 100 percent an actual business,” Vegas said.

He added to Radio Times: “It really p***es me off when people say, ‘Ooh, it’s like Clarkson’s Farm’, because his show is a set-up, and you can see that from a mile off.

“That [comparison] really insults me – my team and I were doing 17-hour days to get the place ready, because it’s a real campsite with real customers, and we couldn’t let them down.

“The idea, originally, was my version of a midlife crisis: I went on eBay at 2am one drunken night, and bought this bus to convert for glamping.

“I named her Patricia, after my mum, who died not long after, so then it became a bit of a tribute to her.”

Clarkson has previously defended Clarkson’s Farm’s authenticity and he’s been backed by the likes of Kaleb Cooper and even Richard Hammond.

Hammond said during a This Morning interview in 2023: “It’s [farming] a real thing, he loves it. It’s not done for telly, it’s something that he likes.”

The Clarkson-led series has clearly resonated with viewers despite scepticism over its authenticity with it smashing Amazon Prime Video viewing records.

And a third season is arriving later this year – with the Diddly Squat Instagram account teasing a new update recently – while Amazon has already greenlit a fourth series.