Jeremy Clarkson Condemns 'Disgusting' AI Hoax Targeting Clarkson's Farm Star
Television presenter Jeremy Clarkson has voiced his outrage and disgust after encountering a series of malicious AI-generated hoaxes on social media. The fabricated posts falsely claimed that one of the beloved stars from his hit Prime Video show, Clarkson's Farm, had tragically passed away.
Fabricated Stories Spread Across Facebook
The 65-year-old former Top Gear host discovered multiple deceptive posts on Facebook that detailed entirely fictitious disasters supposedly occurring on his Oxfordshire farm. Among the most distressing falsehoods was a 'news' article asserting that Gerald Cooper, the dry stone wall expert and 'head of security' featured prominently in the series, had died from lung cancer. This claim was particularly cruel given Gerald's real-life health journey, which saw him diagnosed with prostate cancer during filming for the show's third season.
Additional fabricated stories included assertions that Clarkson's wife Lisa had left him, that Jeremy himself had broken his leg, and that farm hand Kaleb Cooper had welcomed a fourth child. None of these narratives contained any truth whatsoever. Each false story was accompanied by convincingly realistic AI-generated photographs designed to lend credibility to the malicious claims.
Clarkson's Public Response and Concerns
In his regular column for The Sun, Clarkson penned his frustration: 'On Facebook this week, we heard from just my farm alone that Gerald has died, Kaleb has had another kid, Lisa has left me, and I've broken my leg. All of the stories were accompanied by a completely realistic photograph. And all of them were complete nonsense.'
The presenter expressed particular concern for Gerald Cooper, who remains unaccustomed to the public spotlight. Clarkson emphasized that such hoaxes worry Gerald deeply, especially regarding how his children might encounter this false information online. His direct message to the perpetrators was unequivocal: 'So whoever's doing it, pack it in.'
Broader Concerns About AI Misuse
Clarkson extended his criticism to wider abuses of artificial intelligence technology, specifically referencing instances where AI tools have been used to 'digitally remove clothes' from images of individuals. This commentary followed reports about X's Grok feature being utilized by some users to create 'digitally undressed' photographs, highlighting growing ethical concerns surrounding emerging technologies.
Gerald Cooper's Actual Health Journey
Contrary to the malicious hoax, Gerald Cooper's real health story has a positive conclusion. After being diagnosed with prostate cancer during production of Clarkson's Farm's third series, Gerald underwent treatment and was declared cancer-free in 2024. Clarkson had previously shared his concern during filming, telling cameras: 'I've been phoning around, doctors and things I know, and his odds are really good, but it's scaring him to death. I know he doesn't understand and he's bewildered because, for obvious reasons, somebody said, "Look, I'm sorry it's cancer", and that's all he heard. He's desperately upset, terrified. Poor man.'
Gerald himself updated supporters about his condition, expressing that he was 'happy and cancer-free' following treatment and thanking everyone for their support during his health challenge.
Clarkson's Recent Farming Advocacy and Political Commentary
This incident follows Clarkson's recent vocal advocacy for British farming through his involvement with the No Farmers, No Food campaign. The media personality filmed a video for the farming advocacy group, calling for the next government to prioritize agricultural concerns, address diversification barriers imposed by local authorities, and implement policies supporting industry stability.
The campaign sparked heated online debates, particularly regarding Brexit's impact on farming subsidies and domestic production costs. When one social media user suggested Brexit was responsible for farm struggles, Clarkson responded bluntly: 'Oh dear. You don't seem to have grasp of reality.' This exchange ignited further discussion among followers, with some even suggesting Clarkson should be appointed as agricultural minister.
Clarkson's Relationship with Advocacy Campaigns
Despite his strong support for farming communities, Clarkson has recently distanced himself from the No Farmers, No Food account after being associated with an incorrect quote shared by the page. In 2025, he clarified on social media that he has 'nothing to do with the account,' though he remains committed to highlighting agricultural issues through his platform.
The No Farmers, No Food initiative was founded by media commentator James Melville, who grew up on a family farm in Scotland. The campaign features contributions from approximately twenty farmers across the United Kingdom and has included support from various prominent figures including David Beckham and television chef James Martin.
Clarkson's Farm continues to be available for streaming on Prime Video, showcasing the genuine challenges and triumphs of agricultural life alongside the personalities who have now become unintended targets of digital misinformation campaigns.
