Jeremy Clarkson has issued a stark warning to anyone considering countryside living as his girlfriend Lisa Hogan prepares to present a new ITV dating programme. The broadcaster and farmer, who has become a surprise hit with viewers through Clarkson's Farm, spoke out as Hogan gears up to host Farming for Love, a series following single farmers searching for companionship.
Clarkson's Blunt Advice on Rural Romance
Clarkson backed the concept behind the programme but acknowledged that rural romances are not suited to everyone. Speaking to The Sunday Times, he said: "Don't date a farmer unless you're prepared to get fully involved. You're not going to see much of them. They're up early and back late."
The former Top Gear host has been in a relationship with Hogan since 2017 after the pair met at a party. Since then, Hogan has established herself as a recognisable presence on Clarkson's Farm, frequently appearing alongside Clarkson at his Diddly Squat farm in the Cotswolds.
Prior to embracing agricultural life, Hogan pursued careers in acting and modelling, while Clarkson established himself as one of Britain's most prominent television figures through Top Gear and later The Grand Tour with Richard Hammond and James May.
Hogan Doubts Clarkson as Contestant
When questioned about whether Clarkson would be a suitable contestant for Farming for Love, Hogan appeared doubtful. "Er, no," she confessed. "But he is passionate about being outside and his lifestyle these days is a lot healthier than it was before. We were in Miami recently and everyone said, 'I love your show, the farming show,' which I found extraordinary because he's obviously so well known for Top Gear and The Grand Tour."
Clarkson also discussed how different his farming persona is from the exaggerated character audiences saw during his motoring show years. "I think Top Gear was a caricature of the three of us, and there isn't time to do a caricature of yourself on the farming show," he explained. "It's not written, it's not scripted. It's not planned. I mean, I know this afternoon what I'm supposed to be doing, but I bet when I get back to the farm that I won't be doing that. Something will have happened. There'll be an ill sheep, or the goats need moving, or the cows have run out of grass. It's just you, yeah, which is a lot more relaxing."
Clarkson's Farm Returns
A fifth season of Clarkson's Farm is expected to arrive in the coming weeks, with Amazon reportedly anticipating huge viewing figures once again. The programme, which follows the highs and lows of managing Clarkson's vast 1,000-acre Cotswolds farm, became an unlikely breakout success following its debut in 2021. Despite early scepticism from executives in the US, the show's blend of countryside chaos and Clarkson's trademark humour proved hugely popular with viewers. Audience figures later revealed the programme attracted 4.3 million viewers, outperforming Amazon's big-budget Lord of the Rings television series, which drew 3.2 million.
The success transformed the show's supporting cast into stars in their own right, including farm manager Kaleb Cooper, land agent Charlie Ireland and handyman Gerald Cooper. However, Clarkson hinted there could be dramatic moments ahead in the upcoming season, revealing there will be no major promotional campaign this time around. "You shall see," he teased. "We're not doing any press on it." Clarkson's Farm returns to Prime Video on June 3.
