Jeremy Clarkson has broken his silence on swirling speculation that he might abandon his Oxfordshire farm to follow former co-presenter Richard Hammond to Wales, delivering a characteristically blunt dismissal of the idea.
Local Concerns Sparked by Hammond's Move
Richard Hammond's recent acquisition of a six-bedroom Georgian manor house in Abergavenny, Wales, has reportedly left some residents feeling agitated and concerned. The worry stems from the possibility that Jeremy Clarkson, his longtime television partner, might be tempted to purchase property in the same picturesque region, potentially leaving behind his renowned Diddly Squat Farm in Chadlington, Oxfordshire.
The Abergavenny Chronicle reported that locals fear once the farming celebrity "gets wind of just how lovely Abergavenny and its wider environs are" through Hammond, he could be persuaded to make a similar move. Clarkson is currently based in Oxfordshire, where he operates both his farm and The Farmer's Dog pub in Asthall.
Community Group Voices Apprehension
A spokesperson for the community group Not In Our Backyard (NOB) commented on the situation, noting the contrasting public profiles of the two presenters. "Apart from the occasional sighting in the frozen aisle at the local supermarket, Mr Hammond has kept a very low profile," the spokesperson said. "Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of Mr Clarkson. Since he has set up camp at Diddly Squat Farm, Chipping Norton has turned into an absolute circus."
Clarkson's Characteristic Rebuttal
However, the Clarkson's Farm presenter has moved decisively to quash the relocation rumours in his latest newspaper column for The Sun. In typical fashion, he combined his denial with a sharp dig at Hammond's well-documented history of vehicular mishaps.
"Residents in the pretty Welsh town of Abergavenny said this week that after Richard Hammond bought a house in the area, they were 'fearful' that I'd do the same thing," Clarkson wrote. "Well relax, boyos, because why would I want to live near Richard Hammond? The roads are dangerous enough as it is without having to worry about him coming round the corner, on fire and on his roof."
A History of High-Profile Accidents
The jibe directly references Hammond's multiple serious car crashes during their years filming together for Top Gear and The Grand Tour. Most notably, Hammond suffered a near-fatal accident in 2006 while driving a Vampire Dragster at high speed, an event that remains etched in the memory of fans and colleagues alike.
Despite ending their lucrative television partnership in 2024 after an impressive 22-year run, the trio comprising Clarkson, Hammond, and James May maintain a strong friendship. They continue to support each other's independent projects and ventures beyond their collaborative work.
Enduring Friendship Beyond the Screen
Richard Hammond recently discussed their current relationship dynamic with the Oxford Mail, offering insight into how their friendship has evolved post-collaboration. "We still talk," Hammond confirmed. "We always used to be asked that a lot, but we were together so much filming that the only way to spend more time together would have been to marry one another, really."
He elaborated on their filming schedule's intensity, explaining, "We had time to go home, unpack, catch up, remember where you lived, and we were all together again, so we never got into the habit of massively socialising together. We do as we'll meet up at parties and events and always shall, obviously, as you don't spend nearly 25 years working with people and not become friends."
This clarification from Hammond underscores that while their professional partnership has concluded, the personal bonds formed over nearly a quarter-century remain firmly intact. Clarkson's humorous yet definitive rejection of the Wales relocation speculation appears to have settled local concerns, at least for the time being, allowing both presenters to focus on their respective projects without the shadow of unnecessary rumours.
