Jeremy Clarkson has opened up about being bullied as a child and the harsh words of advice he received from his mother, in his latest column in The Sun. The former Top Gear presenter and current Clarkson's Farm star discussed how his mother's brutal wisdom helped him overcome the ordeal.
Mother's Harsh Words of Wisdom
Clarkson wrote in The Sun: "When I was a kid, I sobbed to her one night that everyone at school was bullying me and she replied: 'Well, if everyone is bullying you, you must be doing something wrong.'" He reflected that today, such advice would likely lead to arrest, but questioned whether parents had the right idea back then. He added: "After my mother said I was being bullied because I was doing something wrong, I worked out that I was a bit of a prig."
Clarkson's Farm Criticism from Chris Packham
The revelation comes as Clarkson branded Springwatch host Chris Packham's comments 'b******s' after the wildlife expert aired complaints about Clarkson's Farm during Celebrity Gogglebox. Packham, appearing alongside stepdaughter Megan McCubbin, criticized the show's depiction of farming, calling it "an idealistic view" that puts the wrong idea in people's minds.
Packham said: "Already, right, that's not what a farm looks like. Most farms are horrible monocultures, which have been sprayed with deadly chemicals time and time again. The ground is pumped full of fertiliser, and loads of the animals are indoors in crates, being crushed and kept in the dark."
Clarkson Hits Back
Clarkson swiftly responded, revealing that Packham actually visited Diddly Squat Farm in 2012, spending the day in the woods foraging and bird watching. Clarkson suggested the BBC presenter should know better, having witnessed the farm firsthand.
While Clarkson is now quick to defend himself, he admitted that during his school years he was far less self-assured. The bullying he endured and his mother's blunt advice shaped his character, leading him to recognize his own faults and adjust his behavior.
