Jeremy Clarkson says his team is “absolutely devastated” as he shared “bad news” from Diddly Squat Farm. The former Top Gear presenter bought the farmland in 2008 and in 2021, the first series of Clarkson’s Farm aired on Amazon Prime.
The popular Amazon show takes viewers through Clarkson’s day-to-day life at Diddly Squat Farm in the Cotswolds. It follows his experience of learning to run a farm while he is taught by a group of experts. The fourth season of the reality series was released in May 2025, with a fifth season confirmed during production.
Jeremy recently took so social media to share a devastating update after bovine tuberculosis was confirmed at his farm. The outbreak on the 65-year-old’s land has forced the culling of cattle including an unborn pair of calves.
In a post on X, Jeremy wrote: “Bad news from Diddly Squat. We’ve gone down with TB. Everyone here is absolutely devastated.” He added: “The offending animal is pregnant with twins.” The TV star continued: “I should clear this up really. It’s Bovine TB that we have. It doesn’t affect people, just our poor cows.”
The disease, which is caused by Mycobacterium bovis, requires the immediate slaughter of infected animals to prevent its spread. Government data shows that more than 21,000 cattle were culled in England between April 2024 and March 2025 due to TB incidents.Asked by a fan if his prized Aberdeen Angus bull, Endgame, had tested positive, Jeremy replied: “His test was ‘inconclusive’. I couldn’t bear it if we lost him.”
Another supporter expressed hope that the pregnant cow and her unborn calves would recover. Jeremy responded: “They have to be culled. It’s the law.”
Taking to the comments on social media, one fan said: “Sorry to hear that. I hope you find some light at the end of the tunnel…” while more offered their support.
Another said: “Oh no really sorry to hear that” and a third wrote: “Oh, no! Are other farms being taken down, too, or just Diddly Squat thus far? Prayers to you and the community.”
In 2023, Jeremy was visited by Thames Valley Police after activists alleged he had interfered with badger setts on his land near Chadlington. UK wildlife legislation prohibits the disturbance, destruction or blocking of badger setts.
Jeremy said he told the officers: “I’ve shot all the badgers on the farm so why would I want to fill in their setts? And yes, before you ask, it was all legal.”
Badgers have featured prominently in the Amazon Prime series Clarkson’s Farm. In its second season, Jeremy was told that badgers were responsible for TB risk on his land. One tested positive for the bacteria that causes the disease.
“These are not nice animals. Do not be fooled by Brian May,” he said in 2023. “This is how much heartache they’re causing to people who’ve worked for generations to build up a farm that’s been wiped out by badgers.”
Jeremy added: “We thought, ‘What do we do?’ Because if you want to make a popular show you have to say, ‘Oh, look at the little cuddly-wuddly badgers.’ But I thought: no, it’s a farming show… So, I actually called them b******* and showed people what they actually do. It’s truthful.”
Professional farmer Kaleb Cooper, 26, Jeremy’s co-star in Clarkson’s Farm, previously described his own emotional experience with TB. In 2023, he revealed three of the 21 dairy cows he co-owned with a friend had tested positive.
He said on Instagram: “Now today’s a bit stressful. Today I’ve just found out the place where I have my dairy cows – the 21 cows that I bought – has got three reactors to TB.
“I don’t really know how to describe the emotion… It’s not good. Three reactors, so, therefore, we’ve got to test again in two months’ time. That’s three cows we’ve lost that are milking.”