BEYOND THE TRACTOR: Vinnie Jones Rejects Clarkson Comparisons as Rural Series Concludes
As the curtain falls on the third series of Vinnie Jones in the Country, the former “hard man” of British football and cinema has a message for those attempting to pigeonhole his rural lifestyle: this is not a farming show.
Speaking following the March 2 finale on Discovery+, Jones expressed frustration over persistent comparisons to Jeremy Clarkson’s Amazon Prime juggernaut, Clarkson’s Farm. While both shows feature high-profile celebrities navigating the British countryside, Jones insists the similarities end at the property line.
“A Different Little Show”
The series, which follows Jones across his 2,000-acre West Sussex estate, has carved out a niche focused on conservation, wildlife, and traditional country crafts rather than commercial agriculture.
“Everyone has tried to hang it on Clarkson’s Farm, which I find a bit upsetting,” Jones told Radio Times. “Jeremy has done a fantastic job raising awareness for farmers, but ours is a different little show. Look at Clarkson’s Farm: tractors, combines—everything. After our second series, I think we were given a sponsored rake.”
Jones was quick to point out that while Clarkson has become a de facto spokesperson for the political and bureaucratic struggles of the British farmer, his program remains strictly a “hobby” show. “There is lots of politics there [at Diddly Squat]. I never want our little show to get like that,” he added.
From Gangsters to Greenery
For Jones, known for his “lunatic” persona on the pitch and his roles as south-London gangsters in films like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, the series represents a personal rebranding. Celebrating 12 years of sobriety this April, the actor sees the program as a window into his true character.
“In the past, many newspapers were filled with stories about me being a lunatic, but a lot of that I brought on myself with the drinking,” Jones admitted. “I am not a south-London gangster, never have been. I wanted to show people what I actually do in my spare time.”
A Refuge for Mental Health
The heart of the series, however, is rooted in grief and recovery. Jones revealed that the show’s origins trace back to the profound isolation he felt following the death of his wife, Tanya, in 2019, followed by the global pandemic.
“I could not have been lonelier,” Jones remarked. “When we came out, the first thing I wanted was to dive into the countryside.” By focusing on the quietude of West Sussex, Jones has used the platform to highlight mental health in rural communities—an area often overlooked. “It can be a lonely job,” he noted, referring to the isolation felt by those who live and work in the country.
Vinnie Jones in the Country – Series Overview:
| Feature | Vinnie Jones (Discovery+) | Jeremy Clarkson (Prime Video) |
| :— | :— | :— |
| Primary Focus | Conservation & Wildlife | Commercial Farming |
| Machinery | “A sponsored rake” | Lamborghinis & Combines |
| Tone | Reflective / Personal | Political / Industrial |
| Location | West Sussex | The Cotswolds |
The “Magic Number”
Despite the show’s popularity, the future of Vinnie Jones in the Country remains uncertain. Jones hinted that the third series might be his last, citing a desire to go out on a high note.
“We have not decided yet. I do not want it to drag—three was our magic number,” he said, drawing a parallel to his athletic career. “When I played football, I wanted to finish at the top, not go back down through the leagues.”
Whether or not the show returns for a fourth outing, Jones has succeeded in showing a side of himself that is far removed from the cinematic violence that made him famous—trading the shotgun for the rake, and the stadium for the Sussex soil.