Chris Packham makes Jeremy Clarkson U-turn as BBC star puts feud to bed with surprise statement
Chris Packham has revealed he harbours no ill will towards Jeremy Clarkson, despite the pair often finding themselves on opposite sides of countryside debates.
The Winterwatch presenter, 64, said in a new interview that the public perception of their relationship is far removed from reality.
Mr Packham told The Telegraph: “Everybody expects me to hate Jeremy.
“But we worked together and he was extraordinarily hospitable.”
Chris Packham said that he harbours no ill will towards Jeremy Clarkson
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PAMr Packham explained that both men share a similar approach to public discourse, noting Mr Clarkson “sometimes sees the need to antagonise a situation to promote a conversation.”
The 64-year-old has long been known for his outspoken views on environmental issues, a stance that has occasionally attracted hostility, including a 2021 incident when protesters set fire to a vehicle at his property and destroyed his gate.
Jeremy Clarkson has been a champion of British farming and a leading voice against the tax measures | PAMr Packham also pointed to evidence the Clarkson’s Farm presenter has been shifting his stance on certain agricultural issues.
“In recent times, we’ve seen him swinging more in my direction,” the naturalist observed.
He specifically praised comments Mr Clarkson made last August regarding the Government’s badger culling programme, which aims to control the spread of bovine tuberculosis.
Mr Packham said: “He made the comment last August about the badger cull being ineffective, which as a farmer, is very valid, and for him to have said that is great.”
Mr Packham and Mr Clarkson have previously been embroiled in feuds online
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The Clarkson’s Farm star has been vocal on numerous agricultural matters since taking over his Oxfordshire farm in 2019, including championing British farming, advocating for locally sourced produce, and speaking out about severe weather and planning disputes.
His own Diddly Squat Farm was affected by bovine Tuberculosis (TB) last year, resulting in a calf being culled.
The pair have had a history of friction.
In November 2023, Mr Packham criticised Mr Clarkson after the Clarkson’s Farm star admitted he “hated” Planet Earth III.
While praising the cinematography, Mr Clarkson complained the series focused too much on climate change rather than the animals themselves, saying Sir David Attenborough “used to tell us all about the animal he’d found… now all we ever get is… its future is threatened by climate change”.
Mr Packham hit back on X, defending Mr Attenborough and accusing Mr Clarkson of unfairly attacking “the world’s greatest broadcaster and the man who has done more than anyone… to protect life on earth”.
In his rant, the naturalist branded Clarkson a “massive c**kchafer”.
Jeremy Clarkson called out Mr Packham on X
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In January 2025, Mr Clarkson reignited their long-running feud by mocking Winterwatch and criticising Mr Packham’s eco-activism, claiming he didn’t understand “the real world”.
Furthermore, in June that year, he took aim at the naturalist on social media again, questioning why Mr Packham was allowed to express his opinions on the BBC while other presenters, such as Gary Lineker, had faced criticism.
