Simon Cowell has taken a playful swipe at his 'smug' friend Jeremy Clarkson after Clarkson's choir, the Hawkstone Farmers, secured a place in the Britain's Got Talent final. The choir, composed of farmers, impressed the public with their rendition of Bastille's 'Pompeii' during the semi-finals.
Cowell's Congratulations and Dig
When Ant and Dec announced the choir's success, Cowell offered his congratulations but couldn't resist a jab. 'You're not a professional choir, however I love what you stand for,' he said. 'It might be quite annoying to see Jeremy Clarkson's smug face, that's the only downside. He's a friend of mine.' He added, 'However more importantly this is about you and you did brilliantly well. Congratulations.'
Choir's Origins and Mission
Clarkson, 66, formed the choir for his Hawkstone beer range, seeking agricultural workers who could sing. The choir is now run by farmers Simon Gwilliam and Lizzy Dean. Members told hosts they were inspired to sing to help farmers dealing with loneliness or mental health issues.
Clarkson's Social Media Celebration
After the semi-final success, Clarkson posted a video on social media celebrating with 'Clarkson's Farm' co-star Kaleb Cooper. The duo congratulated the singers in front of a cheering crowd at Farm-Fest, a festival Clarkson organized at his Diddly Squat Farm to 'celebrate farming'.
Farm-Fest Controversy
However, not everyone was impressed by the three-day festival. Some traders left early, claiming they were not making money. Farm-Fest, held over the bank holiday weekend at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire, featured over 400 stalls. Adult tickets cost £35 for a half-day or £60 for all-day admission. The event aimed to celebrate farmers' skills and produce, combining a country fair with a music festival.
Stall holders expressed disappointment, with some posting tearful videos on social media. Korrine Pallas, owner of Phoenix Equestrian and Pet Supplies, described Friday as 'the worst day's trading we have ever had' and called the event 'darn right awful'. A spokesman for Clarkson's festival said they were surprised that 'a handful of exhibitors' left early, noting that over 50,000 visitors attended. The Mirror has sought further comment.
