Vinnie Jones, the actor and former footballer, has claimed that Clarkson’s Farm is “the biggest thing to happen for the country for thirty years”.
The 59 year old stars in his own farming series, Vinnie Jones In The Country, a Discovery Plus docu-soap where he manages 2,000 acres of a West Sussex farm. This programme follows the success of Prime Video’s series about Diddly Squat Farm in Oxfordshire, run by ex-Top Gear star Jeremy Clarkson and his team.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Jones stated: “Clarkson’s Farm has been the biggest thing to happen for the country for thirty years.”
He also criticised other countryside programmes like Springwatch and Countryfile, saying: “I’m not sure some of these programmes tell a strong enough story for the countryside.”
He added: “Chris Packham goes too much the other way.”
The praise from Vinnie comes shortly after reports that Clarkson has ‘declared war’ on locals around Diddly Squat Farm.
Clarkson, 64, is said to have installed 11 beehives behind a five-foot high hedge at the entrance of a lane leading to his Cotswolds farm. The secluded one-mile-long lane is off-limits to all vehicles, but remains accessible to pedestrians.
Fans of the show have wandered down it in hopes of spotting his farmhouse, but the telly star didn’t want any trespassers.
One local resident told MailOnline how he was stung while walking past the farm and won’t go up there anymore.
The person said: “I understand that Jeremy doesn’t want fans walking onto his land to try and find him but it seems a bit dangerous to have so many beehives close to a public lane hidden behind a big hedge.”
Beekeepers warn of keeping hives too near to public footpaths due to the risk of bees attacking passers-by.
Vinnie Jones has partnered with McCain to launch The Infinite Farm, an experience that educates people about regenerative agricultural practices in an immersive farm infinity room. The experience is located at Ely’s Yard, Truman Brewery, in Shoreditch, London and is open from 18th–20th July.