Former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson has reversed his previous statement about purchasing Diddly Squat Farm as a tax avoidance strategy, revealing the true motivation behind the acquisition.
The TV personality and journalist, who now stars in Prime Video's hit series "Clarkson's Farm," admitted in a recent interview with The Times that his earlier claims about buying the farm to dodge inheritance tax were fabricated.
Back in 2009, Clarkson wrote in his newspaper column that he viewed land as a superior investment compared to banks, noting that "the government doesn't get any of my money when I die." However, he has now disclosed that the real reason was far simpler - he wanted to have a shooting estate.
"I never did admit why I really bought it," Clarkson told The Times. "I wanted to have a shoot — I was very naive. I just thought it would be a better PR story if I said I bought it to avoid paying tax."
The revelation comes amid Clarkson's active involvement in recent farmer protests against proposed government inheritance tax plans. The presenter has emerged as an unexpected champion for the farming community, regularly voicing concerns about the challenges faced by British farmers.
When asked about potentially entering politics to advocate for farmers' rights, Clarkson dismissed the idea. "I'd be a terrible political leader, hopeless," he stated, adding that his true calling remains journalism. "I prefer throwing rocks at people than having them thrown at me."
This admission marks another chapter in Clarkson's transformation from motoring enthusiast to passionate farming advocate, as documented through his successful streaming series based at Diddly Squat Farm.
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