Jeremy Clarkson forced to reject teens looking for jobs at farm as he highlights flaw with younger generation

Over the course of three seasons of Clarkson's Farm now, Amazon viewers have witnessed firsthand just how much effort and manpower goes into farming Diddly Squat as well as keeping the popular farm shop afloat.

Kaleb Cooper, Charlie Ireland, Gerald Cooper and Alan 'The Builder' are just a few who've helped Clarkson and partner Lisa Hogan keep the farm running but the reality is that there are several other employees who help Diddly Squat thrive.

However, a trend that Clarkson has noticed in the swathes of job applications he receives from youngsters who want to join the team is that many haven't learned to drive.

He lamented the flaw among the younger generation in his latest Times column as he penned: "God knows why a young person would look at my farming show and think, 'Mmm, that’s what I want to do for a living'."

Clarkson went on to joke that "it’s fun to whizz about at harvest time" but described life on the farm as "mostly a smorgasbord of mud, pain and sadness".

Clarkson then revealed the "one thing in common" the applicants have is that they haven't passed their driving test, which poses a problem for the former Top Gear host.

He mused: "So how are they going to get to and from the farm when it’s three in the morning and a pig is dying? Or it’s 10pm and we’ve just decided to plough one more field before calling it a day?"

Clarkson went on to rip apart the alternatives: "There are buses, sure. I saw one in November, and I’m told another came along in February but I can’t confirm that.

Here’s an idea. Instead of national service, which is obviously idiotic, how about kids working on farms.

— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) May 27, 2024

"Some might argue that they could come on a bicycle, but we don’t employ that sort of person here," he remarked.

The Grand Tour star then went on to question why this trend among the younger generation has come into existence, putting it down to the fact that many view cars as a "unnecessary expense".

"I know of no young person who thinks a car might be 'fun'. Or that speed is exciting... Nor do they see a car as a symbol of freedom. They see it as a tool. And, worse, a tool they can do without."

Clarkson's complaint comes just days after he explained the list of requirements he looks for from applicants in a social media post.

In response to his National Service suggestion, one fan said they'd take a job which prompted Clarkson to reply: "If you would work f***ing hard and be prepared to put your whole arm in a cow, and never moan, we’d take you."

He also told another X follower: "The shop is always on the look out for bright, chatty people. We don’t care about qualifications. Just be fun."

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One area of the farm that won't be needing any staff any time soon is Clarkson's ill-fated restaurant at Diddly Squat.

Despite celebrating his "biggest ever f*** you" over the council after he appealed the enforcement of closure on the farm, Clarkson was unable to reopen his restaurant.

He provided an update on the restaurant situation last month after his "Clarkson's Clause" sparked a change in farming law which removed red tape for farmers to be able to diversify on their land.

"So if the #ClarksonClause has now come into effect, does that mean that @JeremyClarkson can reopen the restaurant?" one person asked Clarkson on X on May 23, prompting the farm owner to reply: "Annoyingly, we can’t."