Jeremy Clarkson ‘forced to agree’ to pay Richard Hammond £20k for Clarkson’s Farm job

In the latest episode of Clarkson’s Farm, Jeremy Clarkson found himself facing an unexpected expense in the name of friendship, as he was forced to pay his long-time friend and former Top Gear co-host, Richard Hammond, £20,000 for help with his new pub project. The incident unfolded when Clarkson made a special trip to Hammond’s car restoration business in Herefordshire to get a tractor customized for The Farmer’s Dog pub.

The Request and the Price Tag

Clarkson, known for his wit and sometimes outlandish ideas, needed a tractor to be lightened and chrome-plated for the upcoming opening of his new pub, The Farmer’s Dog, at his Diddly Squat Farm. The tractor was to be suspended from the ceiling of the pub, a task that required significant modification. With only five weeks to go before the pub’s opening, Clarkson thought it would be a simple request. However, when he arrived at Hammond’s business, The Smallest Cog, he was in for a surprise.

The task, which Hammond initially acknowledged was “a fine thing,” turned out to be much more costly than Clarkson had anticipated. Clarkson, who has previously expressed his frustrations with the escalating costs of his farm projects, couldn’t hide his shock when he was told that the chrome painting alone would cost £20,000. “£20,000? To chrome it? What? I could have done it!” Clarkson exclaimed in disbelief, highlighting just how out of touch the cost was with his initial expectations.

A Friends’ Banter Amidst the Costs

Hammond, ever the cheeky friend, didn’t miss the opportunity to poke fun at Clarkson’s situation. “The point is as your bank balance is taking a beating. Let’s keep it going!” he quipped, referring to the ever-growing cost of Clarkson’s farming ventures. Despite the friendly banter, Hammond insisted that the tractor needed to be properly restored for both functionality and aesthetics, adding that chrome paint would cost £3,000 per litre. Clarkson, already fuming, joked, “Why didn’t you tell me off before I set off? That it was going to be more than the GDP of most European countries?”

It wasn’t just the cost of the job that left Clarkson feeling cornered, but also the fact that he had already driven hundreds of miles to get there. Hammond’s restoration business is located deep in the heart of Herefordshire, far from the hustle and bustle of city life. The idea of returning without having the tractor restored seemed impossible to Clarkson, especially as he had already brought the tractor with him.

In a humorous exchange, Hammond teased Clarkson by acknowledging his friend’s predicament. “Now you have and you’ve brought the tractor. Basically, you’ve lowered your plums into my price,” Hammond remarked, alluding to the fact that Clarkson’s physical presence meant that the deal was already set in stone.

The Unlikely Cameo

In true Clarkson’s Farm style, the episode was filled with moments of light-heartedness. Clarkson couldn’t resist making jokes at Hammond’s expense, referring to his friend’s involvement in the pub project as “immense but not dignified.” Despite the playful digs, Clarkson did admit that he was happy to have Hammond’s help, even if it was at an eye-watering cost.

As Hammond continued to poke fun at his old friend, Clarkson couldn’t help but acknowledge the absurdity of the situation. “If this was a normal farmer, you wouldn’t be saying £20,000,” Clarkson remarked, to which Hammond responded, “What normal farmer would chrome his tractor?”

But the deal was done, and Clarkson, unable to back out, agreed to the £20,000 price tag to get the job done. The restoration would involve stripping the tractor down, removing its internals, and lightening it to ensure it wouldn’t collapse the roof of his pub. The job was undoubtedly a significant investment, but Clarkson was left with little choice but to proceed, as the tractor was central to his vision for The Farmer’s Dog.

A Public Friendship Rekindled

The reunion between Clarkson and Hammond was more than just a moment of banter about tractor restoration. For fans of Top Gear and The Grand Tour, the episode was a rare treat, as it marked the return of the dynamic duo together on-screen. It had been nearly a year since they filmed the The Grand Tour finale, and this was the first time the two had been seen together since then. Their reunion was an amusing and heartwarming moment for viewers, who were eager to see their friendship rekindle on-screen.

In fact, Hammond has always been a big fan of Clarkson’s Farm, even joking that he was “banned” from appearing on the show. Back in 2023, Hammond praised Clarkson’s genuine passion for farming, calling the show “genuine” and noting that their friendship was central to its success. “Our show has always worked together because we love our subject,” Hammond said at the time, emphasizing that their chemistry was the key to the show’s success.

Clarkson’s Farm Continues to Surprise

Clarkson’s Farm has become a global sensation since its debut in 2021, and each new season continues to bring unexpected moments and surprising developments. Clarkson’s candidness about the challenges of running a farm, coupled with the humor and absurdity of his antics, have made the show a hit with audiences worldwide. While the show may feature plenty of laughs, it also gives viewers a glimpse into the hard work, struggles, and unexpected costs that come with managing a farm.

The arrival of Richard Hammond on the farm, albeit in a rather unusual capacity, only adds to the charm of the show. Whether it’s negotiating a hefty price tag for tractor restoration or delivering humorous one-liners, the camaraderie between Clarkson and Hammond continues to entertain fans of both Clarkson’s Farm and The Grand Tour alike.

For Clarkson, the £20,000 price tag might have left him grumbling, but it’s clear that his friendship with Hammond—and the eccentricities of farm life—are more than worth the price. As the pub opening draws closer, fans can expect more fun, drama, and unlikely collaborations to come.