Jeremy Clarkson has addressed the strange editing blip featuring a rogue Rachel Reeves in the Clarkson’s Farm finale.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer made a fleeting cameo at the tail end of season four episode eight, Landlording, when she flashes up in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment at around the 41-minute mark holding of her holding the red briefcase (aka the budget).
Since it is never addressed on the show, some believed it to be an unexplained, if not on-the-nose, editing mistake.
In Reeves’ October budget, she notably reintroduced the 20% inheritance tax on farmers’ worth more than £1million, which has caused turbulence with the farming community with some claiming they would be forced to sell to afford the bill.
Clarkson, who has been outspoken about his stance against the policy, has now doubled down by all but confirming the Reeves’ cameo was purposeful.
When one X user, HimWeitinga, asked: ‘What kind of subliminal messaging is this?’ alongside a snap of the photo of her holding the red box budget, Clarkson replied: ‘She has f***ed the farmers.’
Her episode feature is aptly timed as it comes alongside a narration from The Grand Tour star reflecting on the tough conditions farmers have faced this year.
‘Tragically, we were not the only ones to be kicked in the teeth like this. Just about every farmer in the country was reeling because 2024 had been an absolute monster,’ he explained.
Before adding that they are pinning their hopes on ‘next year’s potential’.
‘This mantra of stoic optimism is what keeps farmers going, fighting the odds, rolling with the blows, doing what they do to make food. And it’s a mantra I realised I’d have to adopt,’ he said.
Then, as the photo flashed up, he declared: ‘You keep going because you believe next year couldn’t possibly be any worse.’
The 65-year-old presenter – who has made clear that he doesn’t rely on Diddly Squat for income – has joined tens of thousands of farmers across the country protesting the hikes in November.
In a column for The Sunday Times last year, he wrote: ‘I was overcome with something not far removed from fury. Because, if the word on the rural grapevine about a farmer’s suicide is accurate, their policy, born of bitterness and envy, may already have tipped one man over the edge. And there they were grinning.’
He scathingly added: ‘I think history will see her as the most stupid, blinkered idiot ever to occupy No 11.’
The fourth season of his hit Amazon Prime reality series continues to rake in impressive figures as it easily secured the number one spot in TV shows, averaging 4.4 million viewers so far, per Deadline.
For those raring for more, season five has already been renewed and started production, although it is then taking a break with plans to return only ‘if there was a reason for doing it, like a bloody good story’.
Speaking to The Sunday Times, the former Top Gear presenter said: ‘Whatever happens we’ll definitely take a short break as the crews are all worn out.
‘We’ve been filming here two or three days a week, every week, for five years. Everybody could do with a rest.’
Clarkson’s Farm seasons one to four are available to stream on Amazon Prime Video now.
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