Jeremy Clarkson has revealed his "big and sudden decision" to abandon one significant aspect of contemporary life that had "become something of an addiction". The former Top Gear presenter, 66, has removed the social media platform TikTok "from his phone and from his life".
From Reagan clips to a 'TikTok voyeur'
The short-form video sharing application primarily targets teenagers and young adults, though Clarkson initially found some merit as it delivered content matching his preferences - seemingly footage of speeches by the late former US President Ronald Reagan. The material subsequently broadened to brief clips featuring the character Malcolm Tucker, portrayed by Peter Capaldi, from political satire programme The Thick of It.
However, Clarkson's association with the platform rapidly deteriorated. Writing in his column for The Sun, he stated: "Soon, I was spending quite a lot of my time idly scrolling through videos because once every 20 minutes or so something funny or interesting would pop up. So then I'd scroll some more. But I never actually posted anything myself and never once liked anyone else's posts either."
New pastimes and a harsh verdict
Clarkson proceeded to describe himself as a "TikTok voyeur". The Clarkson's Farm host also outlined various activities he has now found time for since the platform no longer monopolises his attention. These include: completing a 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle, going for walks in the woods with his dogs, meeting friends at the pub for a pint, and reading Winnie the Pooh stories to his grandchildren.
He expressed considerable contempt for the approximately two billion people who access the platform each month. Clarkson stated: "TikTok had become something of an addiction. I convinced myself that it provided a window on to the soul of the nation but it's no such thing. It's a portal into a world of idiots, show-offs and has-beens."
Pub garden and hosepipe ban
This follows Clarkson's revelation about maintaining his pub's verdant garden throughout the hosepipe ban. His Cotswolds establishment, The Farmer's Dog, has been affected by a hosepipe ban, similar to large swathes of the UK. Successive heatwaves and scarce precipitation have prompted water companies to enforce hosepipe restrictions. Nevertheless, several legitimate exemptions and exceptions enable people to navigate the regulations set by water companies.
Clarkson seems to have utilised one of these at his enormously popular pub in Burford, Oxfordshire, which gained prominence through the successful Amazon Prime series Clarkson's Farm. Aerial images this week showed substantial sections of the grass retaining its vibrant green colour while particular areas and the adjacent fields remained a parched brown. Clarkson revealed the information while pondering how veteran rock star Sir Rod Stewart had maintained his immaculate lawns at his Essex estate, taking aim at what he described as "the nation's bitter people".
In his newspaper column, Clarkson wrote: "An aerial photograph of the lush green lawns outside Sir Rod Stewart's sprawling mansion in Essex prompted the nation's bitter people to ask: 'How did you manage that, mate, when there's a hosepipe ban in force?' Well, let's think. Could it be, perhaps, that Rod, here with wife Penny, probably has a borehole. It's not a difficult concept to get your head round."
