28 October 2023 , 12:18
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Kaleb Cooper has said he feels “love” for Jeremy Clarkson and admitted missing the former Top Gear host when he went off to film motoring TV series The Grand Tour.
The farming contractor has been known to bicker with the TV presenter, 63, on Prime Video’s reality show Clarkson’s Farm, which sees Cooper help Clarkson with the day-to-day running of Diddly Squat farm.
Speaking in The Times about their friendship, the breakout star of Clarkson’s Farm Cooper said: “I resented Jeremy slightly the first time I met him but not because he had a farm — it was because he asked me to drive the tractor more slowly past his house so his cat could run around safely.
“I ignored that because we were so busy. And to be honest, I didn’t know who he was. I didn’t have time to watch TV. Sometimes the odd sports car would be delivered (for a motoring review) and I’d think, ‘who’s this flash git then?’. But we have become quite close now.
“He recently went off to Africa to film The Grand Tour and after a couple of days I actually missed him. He’s been a father figure to me when it comes to understanding TV. I’ve learned from the best there is and — I can’t believe I’m saying this — when he’s not pissing me off, there is love there.”
Asked if he would ever take ownership of Clarkson’s farm, he said: “What? Are you joking? No way! I don’t want anything I haven’t earned myself. Everything I’ve got I’ve worked bloody hard for, but I don’t want or expect anything beyond that.”
Cooper has now penned his second book, Britain According To Kaleb: The Wonderful World Of Country Life, a follow-up to his bestseller The World According To Kaleb.
It's been a dramatic year for Cooper, who started 2023 by announcing his engagement to partner Taya. Breaking the news to followers, the star gushed: I honestly can’t wait for 2023 and all the following years after that. @tayaaaxx your my best friend as well as the love of my life. Was a long wait for this (6 and a half years)," he added. The in June this year the pair welcomed a daughter, a little sister to their son Oscar.
Kaleb wth his partner Taya and son Oscar - and the family welcomed a baby girl this year (Instagram)Cooper previously revealed he works 117 hour weeks on the farm to help out his hapless boss. He said Clarkson's knowledge of farming was 'dangerously' lacking.
In January this year, Clarkson revealed Cooper left the farm after his 'stupidest idea yet.' Clarkson said his dream to become a pig farmer led to a furious battle between them. He said: "Cheerful Charlie Ireland, my land agent, says this is the stupidest idea I've had yet and wants no part of it. Kaleb was so unpleased that he got into his pick-up truck and went to Cornwall for a week."
TOWIE's Chloe Brockett makes cheeky dig at Saffron Lempriere during filming
Clarkson’s Farm has run for two series and another is on the way.