Richard Hammond has finally set the record straight on whether he’s been “banned” from Jeremy Clarkson’s pub, The Farmer’s Dog, located in the Cotswolds. The longstanding friendship between Hammond, Clarkson, and James May dates back to their iconic Top Gear days and continued with Amazon’s The Grand Tour, which wrapped up in 2024.
On screen, the trio was known for their entertaining antics, including practical jokes and car sabotage during their road trips. This fun rivalry seems to persist off-camera as well. Recently, in a DriveTribe video—hosted on the motoring platform co-founded by the trio—Hammond answered fan questions, addressing the rumor about his pub ban.
When asked if he’s barred from Clarkson’s establishment, Hammond quipped, “Actually, do you know, I think I am. I think I am, and if I’m not, I’ve always said I want to be.” This playful remark aligns with his ongoing banter with his co-stars.
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The joke about pub bans isn’t new. Earlier in 2024, Hammond visited James May’s pub and expressed his goal to earn a ban there too. During the DriveTribe segment, Hammond said, “My stated intention when you said you bought a pub was to get myself banned. What do I have to do?” May responded with good humor, emphasizing that a pub is a place for friendly debate but warned that damaging property or insulting staff would lead to being thrown out—with a bit of theatrics.
Hammond reiterated, “I’ll go for a ban. Jeremy’s told me I’m already banned from his pub.” May then revealed that Clarkson had mentioned banning him as well, comparing it to a golf club ban—a formality that doesn’t prevent visits, just a tongue-in-cheek gesture.
This lighthearted interaction comes amid recent news about Clarkson attending the wedding of Kaleb Cooper, a star from Clarkson’s Farm. Kaleb tied the knot with his long-term partner, Taya Wilkinson, with Jeremy and other cast members in attendance. The event included a dramatic arrival by Kaleb in a £250,000 McLaren supercar and an unlimited supply of Clarkson’s Hawkstone-branded alcohol for guests. The couple had announced their engagement over three years ago, celebrating a long-lasting relationship filled with affection and excitement.