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Telegraph
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
I never liked ‘show-off' Jeremy Clarkson, says ex-Top Gear host
A former Top Gear presenter has said he never liked Jeremy Clarkson, calling him a 'massive show-off'. Steve Berry, who co-hosted the motoring show from 1993 to 1999, said his old colleague was an 'egotist' but added that this was what made him 'unique'. The pair worked on the BBC show for six years before Clarkson, 65, returned alongside James May and Richard Hammond when the programme was relaunched in 2002. They never formed a friendship, said Berry, but the 61-year-old said he 'respects' Clarkson. 'Do you know what? I've said I don't like him, but I respect him,' Berry said in a new interview, adding that he thought Hammond, May and Clarkson left the show 'at exactly the right time' in 2015. 'It was just on the cusp of them starting to – some of the ideas were coming around for the second or third time. There was still an engaging watch, but I thought when they quit…that's good timing,' he explained. The BBC programme was taken off air following presenter Freddie Flintoff's near-fatal crash in 2022, for which the former England cricketer sustained serious physical injuries and received a reported £9 million settlement. The broadcaster announced two years ago that Top Gear is to be 'rested' for the foreseeable future, but a statement added that it remains committed to Flintoff, Chris Harris and Paddy McGuinness – who began presenting the show in 2019. Clarkson began hosting the programme in 1988, in its original format, before returning for the relaunch in 2002. Speaking about the broadcaster's popular return stint alongside May and Hammond – and the dynamic between the trio – Berry said: 'Anybody who watched the 'three amigos' Top Gear…would know there's a hierarchy there, isn't there. 'They're not equal, the three of them. There's James and there's Richard and then there's Jezza [Clarkson], and Jezza is the leader of the gang.' He continued: 'In real life, Jeremy is a less bombastic version of that person that you see on the screen. 'You couldn't act that persona for all the years that he has, [but] he is kind of like that.' Clarkson, Hammond and May went on to achieve success with The Grand Tour on Amazon Prime from 2016 to 2024, but now Clarkson predominantly focuses on his farm and the Clarkson's Farm show following his trials and tribulations. Motoring expert Berry said that despite the pair 'never really getting on together', Clarkson once made a point to chat to him at a car show. 'He said, 'Berry, people know we don't like each other, I'll buy you a pint and we'll stand over there pretending we like each other'.' The former host added that Clarkson was 'always late,' including showing up two hours late to their first meeting. 'I turned up half an hour early because I wanted to impress,' Berry added.


Evening Standard
2 days ago
- Sport
- Evening Standard
Jeremy Clarkson makes vital change to his pub after customer's plea
It appeared the exchange had been weighing on The Grand Tour alum's mind as he later decided that instead of opening later on Mondays, he was going to give his team the whole day off every Monday to help them 'recharge'.


Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
UK's 'favourite' tiny village where footballers, movie stars and royals choose to live
The tiny village is home to a number of A-list celebrities and royals - and has become a foodie paradise in recent years. Kingham, a charming village nestled in the heart of Chipping Norton within the Cotswold Hills, has been hailed as the nation's 'favourite' by locals. This idyllic corner of the Great British countryside is a magnet for both A-listers and tourists, drawn to its picturesque cottages and lush greenery. According to popular lifestyle blog Muddy Stilettos, "This is a Cotswolds village that ticks all the boxes – pubs, shop, good schools, and that rarest of things – a train station on the line to London. Oh, and the odd resident A-lister". Catering to fewer than 1000 people, the local amenities include a shop and church, but it's the nearby Daylesford Organic farm shop that truly draws the crowds. This iconic establishment, often referred to as the country's poshest farm shop, is said to be a favourite of Princess Eugenie - and Eddie Redmayne has also been spotted shopping. But it's not just royals who are enticed by the delectable offerings at the farm shop. Kingham has transformed into a foodie paradise in recent years, boasting a range of eateries such as Kingham Plough and The Wild Rabbit, both renowned for their tantalising dishes. Blur bassist Alex James calls the town home, having moved to his 200-acre farm in 2003. His produce has received widespread praise, with many of his artisan cheeses now stocked in supermarkets nationwide, reports the Express. The former musician also throws a festival every year called Big Feastival, which "brings together music from the UK's biggest artists, Michelin-starred chefs, award-winning street food and an exciting array of family activities". This August revellers will be able to see Nelly Furtado, The Rizzle Kicks and the Wombats hit the stage. Daylesford is also thought to have sparked former Top Gear and The Grand Tour presenter Jeremy Clarkson's venture into farming, with the Diddly Squat Farm, and even catered for ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson during the Covid-19 lockdown. Neighbours to the village, Victoria and David Beckham, pitched up in December 2016. A reputed £.5.5m transformed the grounds into an enchanted garden complete with a pool, an at-home spa, a luxury treehouse and—of course—a football pitch. Ellie Goulding and ex husband Casper Jopling previously lived in the area, having moved to the lush countryside back in 2021. The pair refurbished a lavish £1.3million manor house and restored its historic barn to its original condition before their recent split. The village is steeped in history, with many homes dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. These historic dwellings have been lovingly preserved while also incorporating modern comforts, according to The Sun.


Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Jeremy Clarkson's co-star Harry Cowan shares harsh four-word verdict on the TV host
Jeremy Clarkson's Clarkson's Farm co-star Harriet Cowan has opened up about their time on the Amazon Prime Video series and issued a brutal verdict on the TV host Harriet Cowan has taken a cheeky dig at her new TV co-star, Jeremy Clarkson, whilst discussing the presenter's farming methods. In a candid interview, Harriet, who has become Clarkson's Farm's latest breakout sensation, revealed how she landed her role working alongside Jeremy on the massively successful Amazon Prime series, which has now reached its fourth series. The rising star had already begun building her fanbase before her television breakthrough, racking up an impressive 40,000 TikTok followers (now soaring to 730,000) through her tractor-focused videos. Her journey onto Clarkson's Farm also kicked off via social media when she was contacted by the production team. Harriet revealed how they were seeking someone to "come and help," reports Gloucestershire Live. Speaking to the Sunday Times, Harriet explained: "Charlie (Ireland, Clarkson's land agent) let me know they were looking for someone to come and help. I think they were keen for it to be a woman who could do that role and show they could do it well." The agricultural expert then shared her impressions of Jeremy, confessing she wasn't particularly acquainted with his previous work, though she'd certainly heard his name, remarking that she wasn't "really into the cars". She described Jeremy as being "very much like every other farmer I've ever met" and "very much willing to learn. He wanted to do well by the farm." In a particularly cheeky observation, she quipped that "he's got the physique of a farmer." The 24 year old nurse and farmer, Harriet, filled in for Jeremy Clarkson's usual sidekick, Kaleb Cooper, from the renowned Diddly Squat farm in the Cotswolds, while he was away on a live tour. Derbyshire-born Harriet chose dual career paths, inspired by her parents. Her mother, a nurse, hoped she would follow in her footsteps, whereas her father manages the family farm. After graduating from the University of Derby in 2023, Harriet now juggles full-time nursing with helping out on the farm, using social media to shed light on the realities of farm life. Her stint at Diddly Squat Farm saw her tackle tasks ranging from animal care to fence repairs. She has also expressed that she'd be "very open" to returning to the farm should Jeremy require her assistance again. In his Sunday Times Magazine column, Jeremy Clarkson shared insights into his farming journey, pinpointing what he finds to be the most "difficult thing" within the industry, admitting there are still elements he fails to grasp. Despite being a seasoned presenter on The Grand Tour, Clarkson confessed that certain aspects of food production baffle him, such as not knowing how to "turn a pig into a sausage" and stating it's "even worse" with cows. Yet, one challenge reigns supreme as the "most difficult" for him: "But by far and away the most difficult thing would be turning my wheat into bread. This is something that has fascinated me for years because how on earth did anyone figure it out?"


Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Jeremy Clarkson's girlfriend Lisa Hogan shares terrifying picture of mangled plane after miraculously surviving crash
She opened up after Jeremy opened up on their unlucky streak with air travel Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) JEREMY Clarkson's girlfriend Lisa Hogan has recalled the terrifying moment she almost died in a plane crash as she shared a picture of the horror incident. The model, 51, was involved in a near-death experience back in 1996 when the vessel came off the runway at RAF Northolt in London and collided with a van on the A40. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 6 Jeremy Clarkson's girlfriend Lisa Hogan has recalled the terrifying moment she was a passenger in a plane crash Credit: Free for editorial use 6 Lisa posed a shocking picture and detail of the 1996 incident to her Instagram Stories Credit: Instagram / thetallirish 6 Lisa, who was 25 at the time, told how she took another flight the same day Credit: Getty Lisa, who was 25 at the time, was heading into the UK capital for a film role and thankfully escaped any serious injuries - along with everyone else involved. After Jeremy, 65 - who she has been dating since 2017 - addressed the fact the couple had "walked away from three crashes over the years", Lisa went into more depth about her experience. Following the Top Gear alum's piece in the Sunday Times, Lisa took to Instagram to post an image of her plane crash wreckage. It showed the Spanish Learjet 25 plane split in two following the impact from the van. In her caption, she explained: "Amazingly the pilots, van drivers and I survived. "I took another flight the same day." Lisa added: "And landed safely." On her next Instagram slide, it was business as usual for the Clarkson's Farm star who uploaded a clip of their "huge" pig Richard Ham. FLIGHT HORROR Amazon Prime star Jeremy recently opened up on the pair's unlucky track record on air travel. He told the Sunday Times: "Whenever Lisa and I board an aeroplane, we are usually pretty confident that it will land safely because between us, we've walked away from three crashes over the years. Jeremy Clarkson's girlfriend Lisa Hogan strips to swimsuit for cold water swim despite weather warning "Both mine involved broken landing gear and were fairly minor but hers was a proper shunt. "She was the only passenger in a Learjet that careered off the end of the runway at Northolt and on to the A40, where it was hit so hard by a van that it split in two. "It's amazing no one was killed and if you google the images, you'll see what I mean. Meet the cast of Clarkson's Farm Clarkson's Farm began streaming in 2021 and follows Jeremy Clarkson and his team managing Diddly Squat Farm in the Cotswolds. Here's a 'who's who' of faces in the Clarkson's Farm cast. Jeremy Clarkson: Presenter and journalist; also known for Top Gear, The Grand Tour and Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Presenter and journalist; also known for Top Gear, The Grand Tour and Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Lisa Hogan: A former actress and Jeremy's partner, who assists in the running of the farm shop. A former actress and Jeremy's partner, who assists in the running of the farm shop. Kaleb Cooper: A young farm worker from Chipping Norton, who forms a double act with Jeremy on-screen. He's later promoted to farm manager in series three. A young farm worker from Chipping Norton, who forms a double act with Jeremy on-screen. He's later promoted to farm manager in series three. Gerald Cooper: Specialist in the construction and maintenance of dry stone walls and the farm's "head of security". Of no relation to Kaleb. Specialist in the construction and maintenance of dry stone walls and the farm's "head of security". Of no relation to Kaleb. Charlie Ireland: Nicknamed "Cheerful Charlie", a professional land agent who advises Jeremy on land management. "The upshot is that the law of averages suggests we are unlikely to be involved in any such thing again, which is why we can both enjoy the champagne and the food, and settle smoothly into a state of deep relaxation." LOVE STORY In June 2024, Irish lass Lisa opened up on RTÉ Radio about how she and Jeremy initially started their romance. Lisa said they "met through mutual friends who had tried to set us up a couple of times". The turning point came at a Christmas party, as she explained: "I was just about to leave and we were introduced and he said, 'No, no, come on, sit down and have a chat'. And that was it, really. "So he called me a couple of days later and I thought, 'Ok, you've got a bit of a rep' — so he had to really court me! "He courted me for a solid three months!" She added: "He's very, very good company. And he does make an effort to make me laugh a lot, which I really appreciate. And we do get on." Lisa was married for 30 years to Baron Steven Bentinck before they split in 2011, and shares three children with him — Wolfe, Alice and Lizzy. Lisa built her career in the modelling industry in the 1990s before switching to entertainment and TV. She is best known for appearing in Clarkson's Farm on Amazon Prime Video, where she plays an active role in managing the farm and its shop. Lisa also had somewhat of an acting career, playing a small part in the 1997 movie Fierce Creatures alongside Hollywood royalty — John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis and Kevin Kline. She's appeared as herself on shows including Loose Women in 2021, and Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway in 2022. 6 Jeremy and Lisa have been dating since 2017 Credit: Instagram 6 The pair star together on Clarkson's Farm Credit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun