Jeremy Clarkson’s Unconventional Funeral Plans and Pride in the Hawkstone Farmers Choir
Jeremy Clarkson, the outspoken star of Clarkson’s Farm, has revealed a rather unconventional set of funeral plans, laced with his signature humour and a few parting shots aimed at his former Top Gear co-stars, James May and Richard Hammond. These musings come in the wake of impending changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR), which Clarkson believes will significantly impact farmers’ ability to pass on their land to their families without facing hefty inheritance taxes.
The Taxman Cometh: A Farmer’s Lament
The new tax reforms, set to take effect from April 6, will see the current 100% inheritance tax relief for agricultural and business properties capped at 50% for assets exceeding £2.5 million. This means farmers who wish to transfer their operations to loved ones after their passing will face a 20% tax rate on any value above this threshold.
Clarkson, 65, voiced his displeasure in his column for The Times, humourously stating he was “hanging on until the Labourites have gone” to avoid the taxman. He also shared his rather peculiar posthumous wishes, which include a directive to remain on life support if Labour is still in power.
He quipped: “Keep me on life support, death is too taxing… Richard Hammond gets my trousers and James May a cow — but thanks to Rachel Reeves I’ll struggle to give what I want to my children.”
A Farewell Fit for a Clarkson
Clarkson’s vision for his final send-off is as unique as his television persona. He has no intention of donating his organs or opting for cremation. Instead, he insists that the epic 1973 rock anthem “Supper’s Ready” by Genesis, clocking in at a substantial 23 minutes, should be played in its entirety.
For his final resting place, Clarkson has chosen the Canadian territory of Yukon, citing “no other reason than it’s seriously inconvenient” for his family. This, coupled with his life support directive, paints a picture of a man determined to make a statement, even in death. He elaborated on the tax implications, saying: “I have some kind of medical issue and become a cabbage. If the people I choose to be my representatives do as I ask and pull the plug, then my kids will be hit with a whopping tax bill. ‘If they wait till Starmer and [Rachel] Reeves have gone and someone sensible is in the driving seat, they won’t.’”
His parting gifts to his former Top Gear companions are equally mischievous. He plans to leave Richard Hammond, 56, his trousers, and James May, 63, a cow. He also made a rather pointed joke about his son Finlo, 27, inheriting his gold watch, but only if he promised to “keep it up his bottom for five years.”
A Choir of Champions: Jeremy’s Pride in Farmers’ Talent
Beyond his personal pronouncements, Clarkson recently expressed deep emotion and pride over the success of the Hawkstone Farmers Choir, a group he helped establish, which auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent. The choir, comprised of farmers from across the UK, received a coveted Golden Buzzer, securing their place in the live shows.
The choir delivered a powerful rendition of Elbow’s “One Day Like This” for the judges, leaving a lasting impression. Clarkson took to Instagram to share his joy, describing the performance as “fantastic” and expressing his happiness at seeing the farmers receive such recognition. He explained that the choir was initially formed to find singers for an advertisement for his Hawkstone beer range.
“I watched Britain’s Got Talent tonight for the first time because the Hawkstone choir were on,” Clarkson shared. “They were just fantastic. These guys are all farmers and they work incredibly hard for really incredibly small rewards and to see them all on that stage with all that love in the room made my heart sing.”
He admitted to becoming emotional, stating, “I actually welled up, and thank you Amanda Holden for pressing that Golden Buzzer. It shows that I think people quite like farmers, and they were very, very good so well done, all of you. I’m a very happy man tonight because the choir is fab. That’s it.”
Fans flooded his social media with messages of support, commending Clarkson for bringing the choir together and highlighting the importance of showcasing the often-unseen lives of farmers.
The Golden Buzzer Moment
The Hawkstone Farmers Choir’s audition was a standout moment of the show. The group of 32 farmers and agricultural workers, who have been performing together since 2024, moved the judges and audience to tears. Amanda Holden, visibly touched, pressed the Golden Buzzer, fast-tracking them to the live semi-finals.
Holden praised their performance, saying, “As you started, I completely welled up. I felt so much power. I love the whole community. I love how you’ve all got together and work your a**es off. You work so hard every single day. You absolutely smashed it and I can’t wait to see what you do in the semi-finals. Congratulations.”
Guest judge Stacey Solomon echoed the sentiment, highlighting the therapeutic power of choir singing. Alesha Dixon described the performance as “beautiful” and like “therapy,” while KSI noted their multi-talented nature, blending farming with singing.
The choir’s journey now continues as they aim for the £250,000 prize and a spot at the Royal Variety Performance.
A Farmer’s Voice: From Fields to the Stage
The choir members themselves spoke of the profound impact the group has had on their lives. Katryna Shell, a member of the choir, explained how Jeremy Clarkson brought them together, creating an “amazing” experience. She described how the choir has become a family, uniting individuals from diverse backgrounds within the agricultural sector.
“We’re not singers by nature,” Katryna shared. “It’s brought us as a family – we have one thing that unites us and that is farming. We love what we do but it can be incredibly hard: really lonely, very isolating. To do this all together, it’s meant the world to us.”
She added that the choir has evolved into “something so much more than singing,” fostering a sense of community that was unexpected but deeply valued. The shared passion for farming, despite varying ages and singing experience, has created a unique and powerful bond.
