Vinnie Jones has opened up about his thoughts on Jeremy Clarkson and the hit series Clarkson's Farm. The former footballer turned Hollywood actor quipped that he had 'already had the idea' for a similar concept with his YouTube show called the Crafty Countryman before Clarkson's Amazon Prime show took off.
Speaking to the Sunday Times, Jones shared how he pitched a three-minute video of himself embracing the great outdoors on a quad bike to major broadcasters, only to be met with responses like: "Oh we love it, but you know, we'd rather see you with Bradley Walsh or wrestling a bear."
Jones expressed his frustration, saying: "And I'm like: 'That's not where I'm going. I want to show people that I could leave most people behind on my knowledge of the countryside."
However, after his YouTube show 'went nuts', Clarkson's Farm was released, featuring Clarkson managing his Diddly Squat Farm in Oxfordshire with help from his girlfriend Lisa Hogan and Kaleb Cooper, among others. Despite his initial irritation, Jones insists he isn't 'annoyed' and doesn't harbour any negativity towards Clarkson's Farm, even claiming to be its 'biggest fan'.
He added: "I was f***ing pissed off, because I'd already had the idea," reports Gloucestershire Live.
Jones, who had a successful football career with teams like Wimbledon, Chelsea, and Leeds United, transitioned to acting with roles in films such as Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch, and Gone in 60 Seconds.
Jones, 59, rolled up his sleeves to embrace rural life in his own reality series 'Vinnie Jones in the Country' on Discovery Plus. The show captured the restoration of his 400 year old farmhouse.
Jones has claimed that TV bosses were quick to visit his farm after witnessing the success of 'Clarkson's Farm'. He recounted: "They hurtled through these dates, never even bothered to open them, just drove through, bam.
"And they went: 'We want this! We want the farm! Can you imagine? And I went: 'I told you this two years ago. I was before my time."
The tough guy admitted he initially declined doing a second series until executives assured it would focus much more on wildlife, finding the first season somewhat "a bit boring".
English (US) ·