Jeremy Clarkson apologises for huge crowds at his farm shop causing traffic problems and police visit
Jeremy Clarkson has issued an apology - after huge crowds flocked to his farm shop causing the police to intervene.
The TV presenter made an appearance at his Diddly Squat Farm Shop in Oxfordshire at the weekend, and after word got out on social media fans headed there in droves - causing congestion on the country roads.
Clarkson, 61, has now apologised to local residents, writing on Twitter: "People of Chadlington. I’m truly sorry about the traffic around our farm shop last weekend. We are doing everything we can to improve the situation."
People of Chadlington. I’m truly sorry about the traffic around our farm shop last weekend. We are doing everything we can to improve the situation.
— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) June 21, 2021
The former Top Gear presenter's farm is the subject of his new Amazon Prime show Clarkson's Farm and the shop has seen a surge in popularity since the documentary began screening on the streaming service.
Read more: Jeremy Clarkson says bees 'hate' him as he is stung on the bottom
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: "Officers received reports in relation to congestion on the roads in Chadlington.
"Officers attended the scene, but no crime had been committed. Our neighbourhood team for the area is aware of the situation."
Personal trainer Jo shared pictures of the crowds on her Instagram account, branding it "madness".
Chadlington is a village in the Chipping Norton area of the Cotswolds.
The Grand Tour presenter bought the agricultural estate in 2008 and opened the shop in 2020 during filming for his new show, which follows his attempts to run a working farm.
A big thank you too to everyone who’s been to our little farm shop. The bees can hardly keep up with demand for their honey.
— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) June 18, 2021
Earlier this month Clarkson tweeted the shop was struggling to keep up with demand, writing: "A big thank you too to everyone who’s been to our little farm shop. The bees can hardly keep up with demand for their honey."
Local residents were unhappy about the traffic congestion caused by the popularity of the farm shop, and shared their concerns on social media.
One complained it was "an accident waiting to happen," while another commented, "the shop isn't built to accommodate hundreds of people and neither are the local roads."
Read more: Jeremy Clarkson shamed for moaning about road closure caused by fatal crash
Some villagers pointed out that there is a public right of way footpath running across Clarkson's land, encouraging fans to visit that and ask for selfies.
One wrote: "If he wants some of his own medicine, I also suggest taking a lovely long walk through on the public footpath through his property... I'm sure he would love to see all the visitors to his shop outside his house enjoying the footpath."
Watch: Jeremy Clarkson on life as a farmer