From Emmerdale icon singer to Strictly legend – Jeremy Clarkson isn’t the celeb to ditch showbiz for the farm-Josie Copson-Entertainment – Metro

Jeremy Clarkson isn’t the only one to make the change (Picture: Rex/Getty)

Clarkson’s Farm is returning this week – the show that follows Jeremy Clarkson’s bid to master the rural world and make a profit at Diddly Squat has been a roaring success.

If TV companies are looking for more stars to film at their farms then they are certainly not short of options. Swapping red carpets for muddy fields seems to be a popular choice.

While they may seem worlds apart, many famous faces have found joy in rural life.

Now, rather than eager fans keen to pose for a selfie, they have animals keen to eat their grains and are happy with their decision.

Let’s take a look at a few of the celebs in this unique group…

Kelvin Fletcher

Fletchers’ Family Farm airs on ITV (Picture: BBC/Jon Parker Lee)

Like Jeremy, Kelvin has managed to get a TV show out of his venture – ITV’s Fletchers’ Family Farm – sorry BBC, Amazon Prime Video and co, you’re all too late!

Having played a farmer on Emmerdale for years, the actor decided to give it a go for real. He bought a 120-acre farm in Wincle, near Macclesfield and along with his wife Liz, and their four children they moved in.

The couple are enjoying everything about their country life, even the hardships.

‘With each passing day, as our family grew, so did our love for farming,’ they explained. ‘Despite the challenges that came our way, we embraced every moment with open arms, cherishing the experience wholeheartedly.’

Kelvin told Metro.co.uk: ‘At the moment, we’re farming with enthusiasm and real scope. Lavish ideas, to think that this is the life for us, but it’s that sense of variety that certainly keeps me upbeat and engaged.

‘One minute at the Olivier Awards, the next minute mucking a pig pen out! That’s the variety. I know it wouldn’t be for everybody, but that’s what I love. And for me, it’s a way of life.’

Andy Cato

Caption: Andy Cato DJ of Groove Armada has turned to farming. HANDOUT: Holly Holder – (Picture: Wildfarmed)

One-half of the electronic music band Groove Armada sold rights to their songs to fund a farming career, so now he’s dropping fertiliser rather than beats.

He has even begun working with Jeremy, so you can expect to see him pop up in series three of Clarkson’s Farm.

Andy decided to pursue this rural career after reading a thought-provoking article in 2006. He began small by growing vegetables in his garden, where he was residing in France with his wife Jo and their two children. Then, five years later, it escalated with Andy selling his songs so he could afford a 100-acre farm in Gascony, France.

While he may call it an ‘absolutely ridiculous decision, financially speaking’ (via Irish Independent), he has no regrets. ‘I back it in terms of having a life of doing things which I think matter and I work with amazing people and have diverse experiences. I’m the richest person in the world.’

Now Andy also works with former TV presenter George Lamb on the regenerative farming business Wildfarmed after a chance meeting in Ibiza, and they’ve managed to partner with Waitrose, Franco Manca, M&S, ASK Italian, WatchHouse Coffee and Jolene to get regenerative flour onto the high street.

Flavia Cacace and Jimi Mistry

Flavia loves her life at the farm (Picture: Instagram/Our Life at the Barn)

Flavia is best known for Waltzing and Salsaing around the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom, before leaving the BBC show in 2013. While her 2010 Strictly partner Jimi played Kal Nazir on Coronation Street.

They both packed in their TV work for a quieter life in 2020 after getting married, which they’ve both described as a natural decision.

‘We both had worked extensively in the entertainment industry for over 20+ years and although we had experienced a lot of success in our respective careers we both knew that one day we wanted a different quality of life,’ they explained.

Jimi is hands-on (Picture: Instagram/Our Life at the Barn)

‘Having said that doing a move like this is no easy thing especially as we had no experience or knowledge of Devon or living and running a smallholding. One thing that we did share was a belief in following your instinct and doing what feels right in life.’

Now, they’re happy at the coastal home with their sheep, chickens, and dogs, Pablo and Zak.

JB Gill

JB hasn’t given up the day job (Picture: Getty)

JB knows better than most that you only have one shot at life, so decided to take the plunge and became a farmer in 2012 after purchasing an 11-acre plot of land in Kent.

He still does his day job – being one-quarter of boyband JLS – but finds residing at a farm brings a nice balance to his life.

The host of CBeebies Down on the Farm told The Sun: ‘The pop star lifestyle is full-on.

‘You don’t get much time off so I wanted somewhere peaceful I could escape to. Here (his farm) became the perfect place to relax and recharge.’

Calvin Harris

Calvin owns Ibiza’s biggest organic farm (Picture: Instagram/Calvin Harris)

Calvin is a big-time DJ whose music has been the soundtrack to our summers for many years, but there’s another field (quite literally) that he’s excelling in.

He doesn’t do things by halves in the farming world – Calvin is said to be the owner of Ibiza’s largest organic farm – the 138-acre Terra Masia.

The farm grows vegetables, rears livestock, and the picturesque location also makes it perfect for weddings – truly, a farm that can do it all.

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban

Nicole enjoys spending time on the farm (Picture: Instagram)

Nicole is one of the world’s biggest film stars, but when she’s not on the big screen, she is spending time at her Sydney farm with country music singer Keith.

It’s not just the power couple who call it home (and many other lovely mansions too), alpacas, sheep and cows have made themselves comfortable in the fields.

The property was featured on Vogue’s 73 Questions, and when Nicole was asked what she loved about it, she replied: ‘The air. The simplicity. The peace.’

Martin Clunes

Martin says the farm keeps him in touch with real life (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Actor and presenter Martin purchased Dorset’s Beaminster farm in 2017 and now looks after cows, horses, dogs, sheep, hens, and Shetland ponies.

‘There’s a lot of mucking out and mouths to feed, I can tell you,’ he said in an interview with Saga.

‘I love the space and the way everything is changing all the time with the seasons. It keeps me in touch with real life.’

Russell Crowe

Russell has 500 cows (Picture: Ettore Ferrari/ANSA via ZUMA Press/REX/Shutterstock)

Gladiator actor Russell has a beautiful farm in his native Australia. The land, located in Nana Glen, was badly damaged by a fire in 2019 but has since grown back with Russell proudly showing a picture of the healthy greenery on X.

The enterprise includes a whopping 500 cows, and Russell reportedly isn’t afraid to muck in.

Clarkson’s Farm series three launches globally on Prime Video on May 3.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

Entertainment – MetroRead More