Kelvin Fletcher Hits Back at ‘Clarkson’s Farm Copy’ Claims: “I Don’t Need to Imitate Anyone — Comparing Me to Clarkson Is Unfair and a Bit Random”
Kelvin Fletcher has firmly shut down claims that he copied Jeremy Clarkson’s hit Amazon Prime series Clarkson’s Farm, insisting his own farming show is “completely different” and rooted in his family’s real-life journey.
The former Emmerdale star and his wife Liz bought a 120-acre farm in the Peak District in 2020, despite having no prior farming experience. Parents to four children, the couple have since opened up their new rural life to viewers through several TV projects.
One of those was the BBC series Kelvin’s Big Farming Adventure, which aired in 2022 and followed the family as they navigated the steep learning curve of farm life. But when the show hit screens, some viewers accused Kelvin of “ripping off” Jeremy Clarkson’s hugely popular Diddly Squat Farm series.
Kelvin, who is back on screens today (December 14) alongside Liz in Fletchers’ Country Workshop, was quick to respond to the backlash and made it clear he felt the comparisons were unfair.
At the time, social media critics were blunt. One viewer wrote on X: “On BBC1 right now is a @PrimeVideo Jeremy Clarkson farm rip-off with Kelvin Fletcher.” Another added: “Great work from the BBC ripping off Clarkson’s Farm.”
Speaking on the Netmums podcast Sweat, Snot & Tears, Kelvin defended his programme and rejected the idea that it was modelled on Clarkson’s show. He said it was “a bit unfair” to single him out, adding that there are “a whole host of that type of show” already on TV.
“To be compared exclusively to Clarkson I think is a little random,” he explained. “As people can see, it’s a completely different show.”
Kelvin also addressed the timeline, pointing out that his series was already well underway before Clarkson’s Farm even aired. He said they were three months into production when Clarkson’s programme was released, stressing that TV shows go through lengthy pitching and commissioning processes long before filming begins.
“So to suggest that we’ve just ripped it off or copycatted it doesn’t really stack up,” he said, noting that development alone can take three to four months.
Despite the criticism, Kelvin made it clear there was no bad blood. He admitted he and Liz are fans of Clarkson’s Farm, revealing: “We love the show, we binged watched it.”
But he ended with a defiant message to critics, saying: “I’m not copying anyone, I’ve got no need to. I’m confident in who we are, as a family, what we represent. It’s just us.
“All we are doing is being ourselves. Watch our show and make your own conclusions. If you love it, great. If not, watch something else.”