Harriet Cowan, who became a fan favourite on Clarkson’s Farm, has taken a swipe at BBC Countryfile.
When asked for her thoughts on the long-running BBC programme, Ms Cowan initially responded with a curt “no comment” before offering a pointed assessment.
“I think Clarkson’s Farm shows the harsh realities of farming, from farmers’ perspectives, and it’s done so much for farming,” she told The Times.
“I think in the five years it’s been out, it’s done a lot more than Countryfile ever has and that speaks loads.”
Harriet Cowan is a breakout star from season four of Amazon Prime’s hit show Clarkson’s Farm |
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Ms Cowan was diplomatic about the Countryfile team personally, acknowledging she had met the presenters and describing them as “lovely.”
However, she drew a sharp distinction between championing the countryside and genuinely representing farming.
She argued that Countryfile’s editorial priorities lean towards wildlife and the natural environment rather than the struggles of those who work the land.
“They’re all about species of trees and birds, and obviously we care about that, but we worry more about the actual hardships of farming,” she told the publication.
Harriet Cowan, who became a fan favourite on Clarkson’s Farm, has taken a swipe at BBC Countryfile
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BBC
Ms Cowan reserved particular criticism for the programme’s emphasis on rewilding, suggesting it clashes with the mindset of working farmers.
She pointed out that rewilding projects result in fields being left to become overgrown with brambles, ragwort and weeds.
“In our heads, that’s like wasting the land, because you could be making food from that,” she said, making clear that while farmers do care about habitats for birds and insects, food production must remain the priority.
The interview also shed light on Ms Cowan’s relationship with Kaleb Cooper, the show’s beloved farm manager.
Harriet Cowan shot to fame on Clarkson’s Farm | GETTYShe revealed that Mr Cooper was genuinely frustrated when he returned from an eight-week tour to discover someone else had been carrying out his work.
“I understand why he was p***ed off. And I’m not going to lie, he was,” she said, stressing that his reaction was not directed at her personally or because she was a woman. “He’s like me, he’s a homebody.”
Ms Cowan explained that once Mr Cooper settled back into farm life, any tension evaporated entirely.
“We realised we’re both just farmers, and now we’re great friends,” she said.
Harriet also reflected on co-star Kaleb Cooper being ‘p***ed off’ to discover she’d been doing his job
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INSTAGRAM/KALEB COOPERHaving made only a brief appearance in the most recent series, Ms Cowan has no firm plans to return but has not ruled it out. “I’ve just bought a farm so life is busy,” she explained.
Despite her rising public profile, Ms Cowan dismissed the idea of entering politics, saying her primary commitment remains her farm. She suggested that political life breeds division and hostility.
“When you start getting into [politics], it starts getting nasty,” she told The Times.
“People take views so seriously. It’s like, ‘If you don’t believe in what we believe in, we don’t get on.’ I just think, ‘Oh God.'”
Ms Cowan also offered a reassuring update on Jeremy Clarkson, confirming he is in good spirits.
“Yeah, he’s all right now. He’s happy, he’s farming, he’s back on a tractor,” she said.
Asked whether Mr Clarkson is truly as hopeless behind the wheel of a tractor as the show suggests, she laughed. “Well, farming’s difficult. I’ve been doing it since I was 12.”
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