Jeremy Clarkson has shut down rumours that his Clarkson’s Farm sidekick Kaleb Cooper has been permanently replaced, confirming the fan favourite is back for the new season after a short break from filming.
Fans were left stunned last week when the trailer for Clarkson’s Farm season four dropped, introducing 24-year-old newcomer Harriet Cowan while Cooper was noticeably absent.
The teaser sparked speculation online that Cooper had been quietly axed from the hit Prime Video series.
But Clarkson, 65, has now set the record straight in a video shared on Instagram, saying Kaleb simply stepped away temporarily for a live speaking tour — and he struggled without him.
“There’s been lots of reports that Kaleb has been ‘replaced’ – well, no he hasn’t,” Clarkson told fans.
“What happened is this: he went away on his speaking tour for a couple of months because he imagined that after four years I’d be able to manage on my own.
“And I didn’t – I made a complete mess of everything and had to bring in a young farmer called Harriet.”
He added: “Harriet is brilliant and looked after the fort until he got back. That is it – that’s the story!”
Since joining Diddy Squat farm, Cooper has released three books: The World according to Kaleb (2022), Britain According to Kaleb: The Wonderful World of Country Life (2023), and Life According to Kaleb (2024).
Series Four of Clarkson’s farm will have a staggered release over three weeks. The first four episodes will drop on Amazon Prime on May 23, followed by two more on May 30, and the final two on June 6.
The hit Prime Video series, launched in 2021, follows former Top Gear presenter Clarkson, 65, as he gets to grips with growing his own crops and looking after livestock on a large plot of land he owns in the Cotswolds.
In the teaser for series four, Clarkson sets out to buy a pub that will reignite his farm-to-fork restaurant vision.
It comes after the council shut down his Oxfordshire restaurant after it was allegedly opened without planning permission.
The series also follows Cooper, 26, as he embarks on his nationwide tour before returning to his role as farm manager.
The farmer highlighted some of the many challenges that British farmers face today and shared thoughts on how to make a difference and support them when he toured The World According To Kaleb last year.
Clarkson says in the trailer: “I want to make it plain that I am absolutely thrilled to bits for Kaleb, but he has left me just a little bit in the lurch.”
After explaining that he needs a farmhand, Clarkson is seen questioning a new member of staff who admits she has never seen the programme.
The new series will also see Clarkson dealing with a range of livestock to manage – from a big new bull and a very little pig, to high-tech goats.
