Jeremy Clarkson has inadvertently found himself in the firing line of comedian Ricky Gervais, who spotted the perfect chance to mock the former Top Gear host online.
Mr Clarkson, 65, has ditched the world of motoring TV for a more idyllic and slow-paced life on his Oxfordshire farm in recent years, becoming somewhat of a poster boy for British farming after shining a spotlight on the plight farmers face.
Ricky Gervais
| PA
Meanwhile, Clarkson’s Farm star Mr Clarkson has faced his fair share of obstacles with his own drinks projects too, such as exploding bottles of cider.
However, while Mr Clarkson launched his own drinks brand, Hawkstone, as part of his foray into the world of agriculture, he’s not the only former Top Gear star to join Mr Gervais in the beverage industry.
James May has also founded and launched his own gin brand, going head-to-head with Mr Gervais’s vodka and Mr Clarkson’s beer products in the alcoholic beverage market.
And it was former The Grand Tour host Mr May who prompted a rather cheeky dig from Mr Gervais towards Mr Clarkson after they interacted on the social media platform X.
Jeremy Clarkson at Diddly Squat
| AMAZON
The swipe came after Mr Gervais had taken to X to promote his Dutch Barn Vodka and the donkey charity it supports with every sale.
“To celebrate the long-awaited return to common sense and reason, why not treat yourself to some Dutch Barn Vodka. It also helps donkeys. And they never hurt anyone,” Mr Gervais penned to his 14.5 million followers.
Inevitably, fans rushed to share their praise for the charitable cause and the product itself, although Mr May opted for a rather humorous approach.
“I love donkeys, but one of them bit me on the arm when I was eight years old, and it hurt like a b*****d. But you do you,” he typed, before spotting the chance to capitalise on the interaction by signing off: “James Gin.”
Maybe it was hungry. Clarkson actually punched someone in the face when he was peckish😂
Ricky Vodka.— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) November 11, 2025
Mr Gervais quickly replied with a tongue-in-cheek nod to Mr May’s former co-star. “Maybe it was hungry. Clarkson actually punched someone in the face when he was peckish [laughing emoji]. Ricky Vodka,” he replied.
The Derek star was, of course, referring to the infamous incident that led to Mr Clarkson’s Top Gear departure. He punched producer Oisin Tymon in early 2015, and the two settled a legal case about the incident a year later.
Mr May hasn’t replied to Mr Gervais’s quip at the time of writing. However, several of the duo’s fans did rush to react, with many overjoyed to see two of their favourite public figures interact.
“OK, it is legendary when James May and Ricky Gervais are going back-and-forth about their different alcohols,” one X user replied, while a second echoed: “Oh my God, this is like watching Hemingway exchanging tweets with Bukowski about booze! What a pair of superstars, love it!”
James May worked with Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear and The Grand Tour
| PA
Elsewhere, a third sarcastically pleaded: “Guys, please stop. It’s like my two best friends meeting for the first time at a party, and one is drinking gin and the other drinking vodka and are now having a go at each other.”
“What an interaction. What a time to be alive,” a fourth put, before a fifth weighed in: “Let’s not forget that stuff like this exchange IS the only real reason we need social media.” (sic)
While Mr Clarkson’s foray into the farming world is well-known thanks to the global success of Clarkson’s Farm, Mr Gervais has kept his new career venture restricted to social media.
He announced the move last, saying in a video shared on X: “I am thrilled to announce I am now co-owner of Ellers Farm Distillery and we make Dutch Barn Vodka.
Jeremy Clarkson also runs his own pub | AMAZON
“It tastes great, it is made from British apples, and we’re committed to sustainability and protection of the ecosystem.”
Ellers Farm Distillery uses only British produce and states on its website: “The foundation of our story is built on the simple principle of balancing people, planet, and profit.
“We understand that restoring and protecting our planet and treating people with respect is for the good of everyone. But let’s remember that we’re building a distillery and intend to have a little bit of fun along the way!
“Our intention is to produce spirits that are the best for the world while being the world’s best. And we’ll do it all with smiles on our faces and a glass in our hands!”