Jeremy Clarkson has declared that wealthy celebs like Gordon Ramsay have been unfairly criticised for fleeing to holiday homes during the coronavirus crisis.
Mirror Online exclusively revealed that Ramsay, 53, had whisked his family away from London so they could spend lockdown in their £4 million second home in Cornwall.
Neighbours told us they were furious about the move as an influx of second-home owners would put extra pressure on local health services.
Other stars including Rita Ora and the Beckhams have also come under fire for fleeing to the countryside, but controversial telly regular Clarkson, 60, has insisted they are within their rights to isolate at their spacious country pads.
He has insisted angry residents are just "jealous" of their wealthy neighbours.
In his column for the Sunday Times, Clarkson explained: "The lockdown is turning most people into monsters...
"All of which brings us, naturally, to Gordon Ramsay. He decided that if he was going to have to stay at home, the home he’d like to stay at was his backup pad in Cornwall.
"If the virus had brought out the best in his neighbours, they’d have left a nice cake and a welcoming trug full of vegetables outside his front door.
"Instead, they’re all running around saying the crinkly old b**tard should bugger off back to Scotland.
"People say these weekenders will place an undue strain on stretched rural services, but that’s not the real reason for their resentment. It’s bitterness. It’s petty jealousy."
Clarkson also mention Ora, who has been isolating at her second home in the south west.
He added: "As far as I know, Rita Ora hasn’t been into the local village to lick the postmistress’s nose, so why should it bother anyone else if she wants to live in a second home?
"Simple. Because she can afford one and they can’t."
The Beckhams have also come under fire for choosing to leave London so they can isolate at their spacious country pads.
David and Victoria are spending lockdown at their lavish home in the Cotswolds with three of their children.
Their eldest Brooklyn is in the US isolating with his girlfriend.
