Springwatch Star Chris Packham Addresses Relationship with Jeremy Clarkson
Television naturalist Chris Packham has candidly discussed his genuine sentiments regarding former Top Gear host turned farmer Jeremy Clarkson, highlighting what he describes as Clarkson's 'changing views' on environmental matters. The Springwatch presenter, best known for his appearances alongside Michaela Strachan and Iolo Williams on the BBC's popular nature programme and its winter counterpart Winterwatch, has clarified that despite their frequent disagreements, he holds no personal animosity toward Clarkson.
Opposing Views on the British Countryside
Packham, aged 64, and Clarkson, 65, have frequently found themselves on opposing sides of debates concerning the British countryside, spanning topics from conservation efforts to farming practices. However, Packham has now revealed that the public perception of their relationship starkly contrasts with reality. Rather than harbouring hatred, the Winterwatch star disclosed that the duo have actually collaborated in the past, with Packham finding Clarkson to be 'hospitable' and surprisingly similar to himself in certain respects.
In an interview with The Telegraph, Packham stated: 'Everybody expects me to hate Jeremy. But we worked together and he was extraordinarily hospitable. And he's like myself. He sometimes sees the need to antagonise a situation to promote a conversation. In recent times, we've seen him swinging more in my direction.'
Clarkson's Evolution Since Taking Over Diddly Squat Farm
Since Jeremy Clarkson assumed control of his farm, Diddly Squat, in 2019, the television personality has become increasingly vocal about issues impacting farmers across the United Kingdom. He has spoken openly about how bovine TB affected his own agricultural operations, emphasised the importance of purchasing local produce and supporting British farming, and addressed challenges posed by extreme weather patterns.
Meanwhile, Chris Packham, who has presented Springwatch since its inception in 2009, has consistently utilised his platform to advocate for environmental protection. The presenter expressed disappointment that the BBC, which broadcasts Springwatch and its spin-off series, has not been 'as forthright' as he had hoped in supporting environmental causes.
Packham continued to The Telegraph: 'It's a dereliction of duty not to be informing people of the gravity of the situation...'
The Range Rover Controversy and Ongoing Feud
In 2024, Chris Packham encouraged younger generations to 'fight back' against what he termed 'buffoons' like Jeremy Clarkson, following claims that The Grand Tour host purchased a 'gas-guzzling' Range Rover 'just to spite' him. Clarkson reportedly opted to buy the environmentally unfriendly SUV after 'Chris Packham said something annoying on television', as he told The Daily Star in February 2024.
Clarkson had initially planned to acquire a Land Rover with a 'smallish diesel engine' but 'cancelled' the purchase in a 'hot internal walnut of spite'. His intention was to 'annoy' and 'punish' the Springwatch star by selecting a 'Range Rover with a V8 that produces more carbon dioxides than India'. Clarkson added that he found it 'comforting to know that by talking about the environment Packham has actually made it a little worse.'
Packham retaliated by branding Clarkson a 'buffoon' and telling Saga Magazine that his 'spiteful' decision 'betrays such a tragic ignorance it has an almost comedic value'. This Range Rover incident represents the latest episode in the apparent ongoing feud between the two public figures.
Clarkson's Criticism of Sir David Attenborough
The conflict escalated when Packham launched a furious tirade against Clarkson after the outspoken presenter admitted he was unimpressed by Sir David Attenborough's latest Planet Earth series. Packham stated: 'I got a Google alert last night saying Jeremy Clarkson had been thinking about buying a Land Rover with a relatively small engine. But then he'd seen me on TV saying something which offended him - probably something positive about the environment - so he'd bought a five-litre, gas-guzzling, twin turbo-charged Range Rover just to spite Chris Packham.'
In his column with The Sun, Clarkson voiced his lack of enjoyment for the 97-year-old Attenborough's newest series, even stating he 'hates' the show and urging for a change in its direction. Clarkson wrote: 'Oh the photography is brilliant. Spellbinding even. But the words are driving me insane.' He argued that while he once admired Attenborough's in-depth animal knowledge, the focus on climate change impacts had become repetitive.
Packham's Call to Action for Younger Generations
The Winterwatch presenter used this controversy to emphasise the gravity of the climate crisis, describing it as an 'existential problem' and 'so big that it's beyond us as individuals to do anything'. However, he pointed out that 'every single one of us has the capacity to do something positive' and encouraged younger generations to consider their individual 'impact' on the environment.
Packham, often regarded as Sir David Attenborough's successor, contended that today's generation is 'influenced by TikTok' and requires a 'young person' to inspire environmental activism. 'We don't need another David, we need another person on social media doing the same job and that isn't going to be me - it's going to be a young person,' he said. Packham, who describes himself as having been a 'very angry young man', urged youth to channel their anger about climate change into positive action.
This public spat follows Packham's November 2023 social media attack on Clarkson for sharing a mixed response to Planet Earth. On X, the celebrated naturalist referenced Clarkson's notorious previous comments about the Duchess of Sussex, writing: 'Not content with fantasies of throwing s**t over members of the royal family he now slams the world's greatest broadcaster and the man who has done more than anyone has or ever will to protect life on earth . . . What a massive c**kchafer'.
