Clarkson's Farm star Kaleb Cooper has revealed he is battling an agonising health condition, describing it as the worst pain he has ever experienced in his life. The 27-year-old farm hand and co-star of Jeremy Clarkson took to Instagram to share that he has been suffering from a severe viral infection, specifically shingles, which has left him in constant discomfort.
Kaleb Cooper's Health Struggle
Speaking from his tractor, Kaleb Cooper explained the intense symptoms he has been enduring. "I've never been in so much pain in my life," he confessed. "I don't know how I'm saying this but I'm 27 years old and I've got shingles. It is so painful. I thought only old people get that and no disrespect if you've got it and you're maybe old. Honestly, it's like pins and needles continually in your body."
The Prime Video star struggled to articulate the severity of his condition, stopping himself mid-sentence as he described how the pain "hurts like a..." before refraining from swearing. In a plea to his followers, Kaleb asked for advice: "How do I get rid of it? Can I take a tablet to get rid of it really quickly or something?"
Shingles is a viral infection caused by the same virus responsible for chickenpox. While there is no outright cure, antiviral medication can help manage and shorten the duration of the illness. The condition typically causes a painful rash and can lead to complications if not treated properly.
Jeremy Clarkson's Farming Challenges
Meanwhile, Jeremy Clarkson has been facing his own set of challenges at Diddly Squat Farm. The television presenter turned farmer recently introduced his followers to a new arrival - a donkey named Ben. While many fans welcomed the addition to the farm, others expressed concern about the animal's welfare, noting that donkeys require companionship and should not live alone.
Clarkson responded to the criticism by assuring followers: "Yes, we know that," indicating awareness of the animal's social needs. This comes amid broader difficulties for the farm, including filming delays for the popular Prime Video series due to adverse weather conditions.
Financial and Operational Setbacks
In his Sunday Times column, Jeremy Clarkson revealed that he faces "a very problematic year" ahead in terms of profitability. He wrote: "We know for a fact we won't make money on wheat and barley. And we're still closed down with TB." The farm has been dealing with a bovine tuberculosis outbreak since October 2025, which forced the cull of the farm's first pregnant cow.
The continuous bad weather has further complicated operations, with Clarkson explaining: "There's no filming happening on the farm at the moment, or farming. It hasn't stopped raining since the beginning of the year, so I can't plant anything, and I can't do anything with my cows either because we are still locked down by TB."
Weather Controversy and Public Response
Jeremy Clarkson recently engaged in a public exchange with Good Morning Britain meteorologist Laura Tobin regarding the impact of recent storms. While Tobin celebrated "record wind power" generated during January's storms - which reportedly cut gas costs by £164 million - Clarkson took a more cynical view.
Responding to Tobin's post about the "good news" from windy weather, Clarkson remarked: "So to solve global warming, it's best if we all freeze. Excellent." Many fans echoed his sentiment, questioning whether the reported savings would translate to lower energy bills for consumers.
Political and Agricultural Debates
The farming challenges have sparked broader discussions about agricultural policy. When a social media user suggested that Brexit was to blame for struggling British farms, Jeremy Clarkson responded sharply: "Oh dear. You don't seem to have grasp of reality." This exchange prompted calls from some followers for Clarkson to be appointed as agricultural minister, highlighting his growing influence in farming advocacy.
Clarkson has been vocal about the need for government support for farmers, recently appearing in a video for the campaign group No Farmers, No Food. In the video, he called for policies that support fair pay, sustainable practices, and greater flexibility for farmers seeking to diversify their operations.
Despite the numerous challenges, Clarkson's Farm remains a popular series, with a fifth season expected to launch this spring and a sixth already confirmed to be in development. The show continues to document the realities of modern farming through both its triumphs and tribulations.
