Jeremy Clarkson Expresses Deep Concern as Gerald Cooper Battles Depression – Will He Be Able to Help His Friend Recover?

Jeremy Clarkson has spoken out with frustration — and real concern — after a wave of fake AI-generated stories online left Clarkson’s Farm fan-favourite Gerald Cooper “worried” and stressed.

The 65-year-old TV presenter, who owns Diddly Squat Farm in the Cotswolds, revealed that he and several people close to him have recently been targeted by what he described as “idiots with an AI tool” who are creating convincing but completely false posts on social media.

In his latest column for The Sun, the former Top Gear star explained that artificial intelligence is now being used far beyond harmless jokes. While there has been widespread discussion about deepfake content — including AI-generated sexualised images that have caused serious public alarm — Clarkson warned that misinformation about people’s lives can be just as damaging.

“There’s a lot of talk at the moment about how idiots with an AI tool on their phone can post pictures of girls they know without any clothes on,” he wrote. “But that’s not the extent of the problem.”

Clarkson said that within just one week, a string of fake claims circulated online about the Diddly Squat team, each paired with what appeared to be a realistic photograph — even though none of the stories were true.

“On Facebook this week, we heard from just my farm alone that Gerald has died, Kaleb has had another kid, Lisa has left me and I’ve broken my leg,” Clarkson wrote.

He added bluntly: “All of the stories were accompanied by a completely realistic photograph. And all of them were complete nonsense.”

While Jeremy admitted he personally finds the rumours irritating, he said the situation has become far more serious because of the emotional impact it is having on Gerald Cooper — the farmhand affectionately known by fans as Diddly Squat’s “Head of Security.”

Gerald, who has become one of the most recognisable faces on Amazon Prime Video’s Clarkson’s Farm, is not used to sudden fame and public attention, Clarkson explained. And seeing fake stories spread online has left him genuinely anxious — particularly because of the effect it could have on his family.

“Do I mind? Yes,” Clarkson wrote. “Mostly because Gerald is unused to being in the public eye and it worries him that his kids see this kind of thing online.”

Clarkson then delivered a clear message to whoever is behind the fake posts, demanding they stop.

“So whoever’s doing it, pack it in,” he said. “And stop digitally removing clothes as well, you halfwits.”

His comments come at a time when AI-generated content is under increasing scrutiny, with concerns growing over how easily technology can be used to create convincing images, fake headlines, and fabricated “news” designed to attract clicks and reactions.

The rise of deepfake content has also become a major political issue in the UK. Recent reports of AI being used to generate explicit or intimate images without consent have sparked public outrage, prompting the Labour government to introduce legislation aimed at criminalising the creation of intimate images without permission.

Clarkson pointed out that while the most shocking AI misuse has involved sexualised deepfakes, the constant spread of believable false information can still be deeply harmful — especially when it targets ordinary people who never expected to become public figures.

Gerald Cooper, despite being a much-loved part of the Clarkson’s Farm cast, is not a celebrity in the traditional sense. His popularity has grown naturally through the show, with many viewers enjoying his humour, warmth, and the fact that he often needs subtitles due to his strong accent.

But Clarkson suggested that the attention has a darker side when malicious or careless online users create stories that can quickly spiral across Facebook and other platforms.

This also isn’t the first time Gerald has been hit by fake rumours.

Just before Christmas, Clarkson’s partner Lisa Hogan — who is also a familiar face on the series — was forced to publicly deny another false story claiming Gerald had been rushed to hospital in an emergency.

At the time, Lisa responded by sharing a video on Instagram showing Gerald very much alive, smiling, and dancing — directly mocking the false claims and reassuring fans that he was fine.

In the video, Gerald appeared cheerful, and Lisa’s caption made it clear she was furious at the cruelty behind the hoax.

“G-Dwag doing his thang,” she wrote. “No he hasn’t been in hospital, that’s all fake, really stupid and very mean.”

She then reassured everyone that Gerald was in good spirits, adding: “He’s a dancin and a laughing. Happy Christmas to Gerald and Family.”

The situation was especially upsetting given that Gerald has previously battled serious health issues, including cancer, meaning rumours about him being ill or dead can be particularly distressing for both his family and the people who care about him.

Clarkson’s angry response reflects a growing frustration among public figures who are being forced to constantly defend themselves against misinformation online — especially when the false stories are made more believable through AI-generated images that appear authentic at first glance.

While Jeremy is known for his sharp humour and blunt opinions, this time his message carried a more personal tone, as he focused on the impact the hoaxes are having on Gerald rather than on himself.

By highlighting how “worried” Gerald has become, Clarkson also drew attention to the fact that online misinformation doesn’t just harm reputations — it can cause real emotional distress, particularly when children and families are involved.

As AI tools become more accessible, Clarkson’s comments underline a concern shared by many: that technology capable of creating convincing fake content is spreading faster than the systems designed to control it.

And for Gerald Cooper — a hardworking farmhand who never signed up for internet fame — the cost of those fake stories may be far higher than the people posting them ever consider.