Jeremy Clarkson hits back after facing backlash as Storm Darragh causes closures and damage at new pub
Jeremy Clarkson has taken to social media to fire back at a fan who criticised the pub owner.
Like several locations up and down the country this weekend, Clarkson’s pub in the Cotswolds felt the force of Storm Darragh as powerful winds and torrential downpours gripped the UK.
The weather has wreaked havoc over the past 48 hours, with thousands left without power, the Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool one of many sports fixtures being postponed, flight cancellations and delays, and several other impacts on people’s lives.
In Asthall, near Burford in Oxfordshire, The Farmer’s Dog faced problems of its own as Storm Darragh moved in on Saturday.
Neighbouring Clarkson’s pub is a giant marquee that houses the Grand Tour star’s own Diddly Squat farm shop, Hops and Chops butchers, The Farmer’s Puppy food van, and a seating area.
The marquee – that featured in the Amazon motoring show, The Grand Tour – was forced to shut over the weekend, however, due to damage caused by the weather.
In a video shared on the pub’s Instagram page, the damage to the marquee was plain for followers to see as high-force winds had ripped part of the roof off.
In the accompanying caption, the page explained: “Sadly our Grand Tour tent will be closing for some much needed wind repair today…
“So our butchers shop and off license – Hops&Chops – and our @diddlysquat.farmshop and The Farmer’s Puppy will all have to be closed today …but do come to see us at the pub!”
While several followers sent their well wishes to the team at The Farmer’s Dog, more unsympathetic Instagram users felt more could’ve been done to prepare for the horrendous conditions.
One person replied: “Surprised you didn’t take it down before the storm came would of been easier.”
The criticism caught the eye of Clarkson himself who soon took to the comments section of his pub’s Instagram post to hit back at the follower.
Setting the record straight on why their suggestion wasn’t possible, Clarkson fired back: “It takes 24 people seven days to put that thing up or take it down.”
Before long, fans rushed to side with the former Top Gear star and sympathise with the predicament.
Later, his partner Lisa Hogan took to her own social media page to provide an update from Diddly Squat Farm and reveal how Storm Darragh had affected their animals.
Luckily, Diddly Squat escaped unharmed as Hogan explained: “Darragh is an Irish word for oak.
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“On the farm, storm Darragh was a strong one, all the animals are safe & we hope you all are too.” (sic)
Hogan had included a video of the cattle on the farm safe and sound in their pens in her update.
“Glad to hear the animals are safe,” one relieved fan replied alongside a love heart emoji before a second said to Hogan: “Stay safe!”