Former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson has delivered a furious public plea condemning what he describes as "halfwits" who are using artificial intelligence to spread damaging misinformation about his colleagues and friends. The Grand Tour star, 65, expressed particular distress over the impact this is having on his Clarkson's Farm co-star Gerald Cooper, who has become increasingly worried by the fabricated stories.
AI-Generated Falsehoods Cause Real Distress
In his latest column for The Sun, Clarkson highlighted how "idiots with an AI tool on their phone" have been creating completely realistic but entirely false photographs to accompany bogus stories about the Diddly Squat Farm team. The presenter revealed that within just one week, false claims had circulated suggesting Gerald had died, farm manager Kaleb Cooper had another child, partner Lisa Hogan had left Clarkson, and that Clarkson himself had broken his leg.
"All of the stories were accompanied by a completely realistic photograph. And all of them were complete nonsense," Clarkson wrote, emphasising the sophisticated nature of the deception.
Gerald's Personal Concerns Amplify the Problem
Clarkson explained that the situation is particularly troubling because Gerald Cooper, who became a household name through Amazon Prime Video's hit series Clarkson's Farm, is unaccustomed to being in the public eye and finds the experience deeply unsettling. The presenter revealed that Gerald is especially concerned about how these false stories might affect his children, who could encounter the fabricated content online.
"Mostly because Gerald is unused to being in the public eye and it worries him that his kids see this kind of thing online," Clarkson stated, adding his direct message to those responsible: "So whoever's doing it, pack it in. And stop digitally removing clothes as well, you halfwits."
Broader Context of AI Misuse
Clarkson's comments come amid growing national concern about the misuse of artificial intelligence technology. The presenter noted that there's widespread alarm about AI being exploited to produce deepfake sexualised imagery, with the Labour government having recently introduced legislation criminalising the creation of intimate images without consent.
However, Clarkson emphasised that the problem extends beyond just explicit content, with seemingly mundane but completely fabricated stories about public figures causing genuine distress to those involved and their families.
Pattern of False Claims Against Farm Team
This incident represents the latest in a series of bogus stories targeting the Clarkson's Farm team. Shortly before Christmas, Clarkson's partner Lisa Hogan was forced to publicly debunk false claims that Gerald, who recently battled cancer, had been rushed to hospital.
Hogan posted an Instagram clip showing Gerald grinning and dancing with a message stating: "G-Dwag doing his thang. No he hasn't been in hospital, that's all fake, really stupid and very mean. He's a dancin and a laughing. Happy Christmas to Gerald and Family."
The repeated targeting of the farm team highlights how public figures, even those who gained fame through relatively niche television programmes, are increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated AI-generated misinformation campaigns that can have real emotional consequences for those involved.
