Clarkson’s Farm returns this week; the programme, which chronicles Jeremy Clarkson’s attempts to conquer the rural world and make a profit at Diddly Squat, has been a huge hit.
If TV corporations are seeking for new stars to shoot on their farms, they surely have plenty of alternatives. Swapping crimson carpets for muddy fields appears to be a popular option.
While they may appear to be worlds apart, many well-known figures have found satisfaction in rural living.
Instead of excited admirers posing for selfies, they now have animals ready to eat their grains, and they are pleased with their decision.
Here’s a peek at some of the celebrities in this interesting group…
Kelvin Fletcher
Kelvin, like Jeremy, has managed to make a TV programme out of his endeavour, ITV’s Fletchers’ Family Farm – sorry BBC, Amazon Prime Video, and others, you’re too late!
After years of playing a farmer on Emmerdale, the actor decided to take the role seriously. He purchased a 120-acre farm in Wincle, near Macclesfield, and settled with his wife Liz and four children.
The pair enjoys everything about their country life, including the trials.
‘With each passing day, as our family grew, so did our love for farming,’ they explained. ‘Despite the challenges that came our way, we embraced every moment with open arms, cherishing the experience wholeheartedly.’
Kelvin said: ‘At the moment, we’re farming with enthusiasm and real scope. Lavish ideas, to think that this is the life for us, but it’s that sense of variety that certainly keeps me upbeat and engaged.
‘One minute at the Olivier Awards, the next minute mucking a pig pen out! That’s the variety. I know it wouldn’t be for everybody, but that’s what I love. And for me, it’s a way of life.’
Andy Cato
Groove Armada’s one-half sold song rights to support a farming career and is now dumping fertiliser instead of beats.
He has even began working with Jeremy, so expect to see him in season three of Clarkson’s Farm.
Andy opted to pursue a rural job after reading an insightful essay in 2006. He started modestly, cultivating vegetables in his garden while living in France with his wife Jo and their two children. Five years later, Andy sold his songs to buy a 100-acre property in Gascony, France.
While he calls it a ‘completely foolish mistake, financially speaking’ (according to the Irish Independent), he has no regrets. ‘I support it in terms of living a life doing things that I believe are important, and I work with incredible people and have a varied range of experiences. I am the richest person in the world.
Andy now collaborates with former TV presenter George Lamb on the regenerative farming firm Wildfarmed, following a fortuitous encounter in Ibiza, and they’ve partnered with Waitrose, Franco Manca, M&S, ASK Italian, WatchHouse Coffee, and Jolene to bring sustainable flour to the high street.
Flavia Cacace and Jimi Mistry
Flavia was most known for waltzing and salsa dancing around the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom until quitting the BBC programme in 2013. Her 2010 Strictly partner, Jimi, portrayed Kal Nazir on Coronation Street.
They both quit their TV jobs in 2020 to live a peaceful life, which they both viewed as a natural decision.
‘We both had worked extensively in the entertainment industry for over 20+ years and although we had experienced a lot of success in our respective careers we both knew that one day we wanted a different quality of life,’ they explained.
‘Having said that doing a move like this is no easy thing especially as we had no experience or knowledge of Devon or living and running a smallholding. One thing that we did share was a belief in following your instinct and doing what feels right in life.’
Now, they’re happy at the coastal home with their sheep, chickens, and dogs, Pablo and Zak.
JB Gill
JB understands better than most that you only have one chance at life, so he decided to take the plunge and become a farmer in 2012, after acquiring an 11-acre parcel of property in Kent.
He still does his day job as one-quarter of boyband JLS, but he thinks that living on a farm provides a wonderful balance in his life.
The host of CBeebies Down on the Farm told The Sun: ‘The pop star lifestyle is full-on.
‘You don’t get much time off so I wanted somewhere peaceful I could escape to. Here (his farm) became the perfect place to relax and recharge.’
Calvin Harris
Calvin is a well-known DJ whose music has long served as the soundtrack to our summers, but he also excels in another profession.
Calvin is the owner of Terra Masia, Ibiza’s largest organic farm spanning 138 acres, demonstrating his commitment to farming.
The farm harvests veggies and raises cattle, and its scenic setting makes it ideal for weddings – really a farm that can do it all.
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban
Nicole is one of the world’s most famous film stars, but when she’s not on the big screen, she spends time on her Sydney farm with country musician Keith.
Not only do the power couple live there (along with many other gorgeous houses), but alpacas, sheep, and cows have also made themselves at home in the fields.
The property was featured on Vogue’s 73 Questions, and when Nicole was asked what she loved about it, she replied: ‘The air. The simplicity. The peace.’
Martin Clunes
Martin, an actor and broadcaster, acquired Dorset’s Beaminster farm in 2017 and currently raises cows, horses, dogs, lambs, chickens, and Shetland ponies.
‘There’s a lot of mucking out and mouths to feed, I can tell you,’ he said in an interview with Saga.
‘I love the space and the way everything is changing all the time with the seasons. It keeps me in touch with real life.’
Russell Crowe
Russell, the Gladiator actor, owns a gorgeous farm in his home Australia. A fire gravely devastated the land in Nana Glen in 2019, but it has now grown back, with Russell happily presenting a photo of the lush foliage on X.
Russell apparently doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty on the farm, which has 500 cows.
Clarkson’s Farm series three launches globally on Prime Video on May 3.
