Former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson has been sent a graphic jumper from animal rights group PETA, as part of a campaign urging him to turn his farm into an animal sanctuary
Animal rights organisation PETA has called on Jeremy Clarkson to make a significant shift at his Diddly Squat Farm, urging the former Top Gear host to cease livestock farming and transform his Oxfordshire property into an animal sanctuary.
The 65-year-old broadcaster, who has emerged as an unexpected figure in British farming, was gifted a “Christmassacre” jumper as part of PETA’s seasonal campaign. The organisation says the graphic garment is designed to confront people with the harsh realities of meat consumption during the festive period and to inspire a transition to a vegan lifestyle.
In a letter addressed to Clarkson, PETA suggested that “years of sending animals to their deaths” might have left him emotionally distant and proposed that the jumper could help “warm him up” over the Christmas period. Made from vegan materials, the jumper features unsettling depictions of animals commonly eaten at Christmas, including turkeys, pigs, and cows, illustrated to reflect conditions in slaughterhouses.
The correspondence, signed by PETA Vice President of Programmes Elisa Allen, implores Clarkson to “get off the animals’ naughty list” by changing his farming practices. The letter reads: “Christmas is a time to reflect on how we can each bring the spirit of peace and goodwill into our everyday lives. We hope our festive jumpers will finally inspire you to adopt a vegan lifestyle and transform Diddly Squat Farm into a sanctuary where animals can live out their lives in peace,” reports the Express.
Allen added that the gruesome designs on the jumpers serve as a “sombre reminder that over 180 million animals are violently killed in the UK during the festive season alone.”
PETA argues that animals raised for meat are often kept in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions before being transported long distances to abattoirs. The organisation claims that moving away from animal agriculture would not only prevent suffering but also reduce carbon emissions and lower the risk of serious health issues associated with meat consumption.
The Christmassacre jumpers, priced at £75 each and available via PETA’s website, are part of a wider seasonal initiative, which includes a Christmas advert currently screening in cinemas across the UK, including Oxford. The campaign urges viewers to reconsider the origins of their festive meals and the treatment of animals raised for food.
Clarkson purchased the 1,000-acre Diddly Squat Farm near Chipping Norton in 2008, initially as an investment after the tenant farmer retired. For several years, the land was managed by contractors, but Clarkson later took a hands-on approach, which eventually led to the creation of Amazon Prime Video’s hit series Clarkson’s Farm.
First broadcast in 2021, the programme follows Clarkson as he attempts to run the farm with minimal prior experience. It highlights the realities of modern British farming — from unpredictable weather and rising costs to planning disputes and animal welfare regulations. The show has been a significant success for Amazon, bringing farming issues to a broader audience while also showcasing Clarkson’s often contentious views on environmentalism, veganism, and rural regulation.
Throughout the series, Clarkson has openly criticised vegan campaigns and animal rights activists, frequently defending meat consumption and traditional farming methods. Diddly Squat currently raises livestock and grows crops, with produce sold through its popular farm shop, which has drawn thousands of visitors since opening.
A spokesperson for Clarkson has been contacted for comment.
