Disease Ravages Diddly Squat. Will a TB Outbreak Finally Break Jeremy Clarkson?
Jeremy Clarkson Devastated as Diddly Squat Farm Shuts Down for Two Months Due to Bovine Tuberculosis Outbreak
Television presenter and former Top Gear star Jeremy Clarkson has announced the temporary closure of Diddly Squat Farm following a devastating outbreak of bovine tuberculosis (bTB). The 65-year-old broadcaster confirmed on Thursday that the infection was detected in one of his cows — a pregnant animal carrying twins — prompting an immediate lockdown of the cattle operations at his Oxfordshire estate.
Speaking candidly to Times Radio on Friday, Clarkson described the discovery as “absolutely dreadful,” explaining the emotional and logistical blow the diagnosis has delivered to his already struggling farm. “It’s awful, it really is awful,” he said. “You have a test every six months on the cows and then you sort of become blasé — it becomes a hypothetical threat. And then the vet looks up, as he did yesterday at lunchtime, and says, ‘I’m really sorry, this one’s failed.’”
That one failed test result has triggered strict biosecurity measures and an enforced lockdown under UK government regulations. All cattle movements are now prohibited on and off the farm, and no animals can be sold or introduced until a clear follow-up test confirms the herd is TB-free. “Certainly two months, because that’s how long we have to wait before we do another test,” Clarkson confirmed regarding the length of the shutdown.
The news comes amid what Clarkson has already described as potentially the “worst year ever” for his 1,000-acre farm in Chipping Norton. Speaking to followers on social media earlier this summer, the Clarkson’s Farm star revealed ongoing challenges with a “shocking” harvest due to extreme weather conditions, including persistent drought and scorching heatwaves that have ravaged crops across the UK.
To make matters worse, the past 24 hours have brought even more sorrow to Clarkson and his partner Lisa Hogan. He revealed during the same interview that one of his dog Arya’s newborn puppies had died overnight. “It’s only been not even 24 hours since I found out [about the TB], and it occupies my mind,” he said. “Well, it was occupying my mind, but I got up this morning and found one of my puppies has died.”
Hogan also took to social media to share the heartbreaking update with followers. Posting a photo, she wrote: “Sad news this morning. Mr Grey has gone to fur and feather land.”
The cow at the centre of the bTB scare is pregnant with twins and has already been separated from her calf. Clarkson shared a poignant video on Instagram showing the distressed animal crying in isolation. “This is the poor cow that has bTB,” he wrote in the caption. “She’s pregnant with twins and has been separated from her calf. And she will have to be culled. Small wonder she’s crying.”
Bovine tuberculosis is a serious infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium bovis. It primarily affects cattle but can also infect a wide range of other mammals, including deer, pigs, goats, cats, and dogs. According to the UK government, the disease is typically transmitted through respiratory droplets during close contact, as well as via contaminated saliva, milk, urine, or faeces. In rare cases, humans can be infected, though Clarkson was quick to clarify that there is no danger to his staff or the public.
“I should clear this up, really,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter). “It’s bovine TB that we have. It doesn’t affect people, just our poor cows.”
This is not the first time Diddly Squat Farm has faced a TB-related threat. In 2023, Clarkson revealed that infected badgers were discovered on the property, a common vector for the disease in rural parts of the UK. Despite implementing preventative measures, including fencing and testing, the farm has now fallen victim to a full outbreak.
While the cattle operation is now effectively frozen, Clarkson reassured fans that other parts of his business remain unaffected. The Diddly Squat Farm Shop, a popular tourist destination made famous by his Amazon Prime show Clarkson’s Farm, will stay open. So too will his recently opened pub, The Farmer’s Dog, located in Burford — around 10 miles from the farm.
However, the emotional and economic toll of the shutdown is clear. “We’ve got a very sickly calf too,” Clarkson added during the interview. “Honestly? Farming? I’m not enjoying it this week.”
As the wait begins for the next round of testing in two months’ time, Clarkson, his team, and fans of the farm can only hope for a clean bill of health and better luck ahead. In the meantime, he continues to share updates on social media, offering a rare and often sobering glimpse into the realities of modern British farming — far removed from the fast cars and race tracks that once defined his public persona.
