Britain’s Got Talent head judge Simon Cowell took a swipe at Jeremy Clarkson as The Hawkstone Farmers Choir took to the ITV show stage over the weekend.
The choir, which was founded by former Top Gear host and Prime Video star Jeremy, 65, performed as part of the semi-final in front of Simon, 66, and his fellow judges Amanda Holden, KSI and Alesha Dixon.
Singing Bastille’s Pompeii, they blew fans away with their rendition and were awarded a place in this weekend’s coveted final thanks to the public vote.
But it didn’t stop Simon from passing his judgement of the choir, and he took an opportunity to make a cheeky jibe towards Jeremy in the process.
Following their semi-final performance, Simon told the choir: ‘You’re not a professional choir, however I love what you stand for.
‘It might be quite annoying to see Jeremy Clarkson’s smug face, that’s the only downside. He’s a friend of mine.’
Britain’s Got Talent head judge Simon Cowell took a swipe at Jeremy Clarkson as The Hawkstone Farmers Choir took to the ITV show stage over the weekend
The choir, which was founded by former Top Gear host and Prime Video star Jeremy, 65, performed as part of the semi-final (pictured during auditions)
Simon concluded: ‘However more importantly this is about you and you did brilliantly well. Congratulations.’
The choir, which is now run by farmers Simon Gwilliam and Lizzy Dean, was originally set up by Jeremy after searching for singing agricultural workers to appear in an advert for his Hawkstone beer range.
Despite Simon hinting earlier in the show that the choir had been ‘tipped to win’, the farming singers were still stunned when their names were called for the final.
Speaking to hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly the group explained how they’d been inspired to sing in a bid to help other farmers struggling with loneliness and mental health issues.
Jeremy shared his excitement at seeing the choir make it through to the final in a video posted to social media, which saw him celebrating with Clarkson’s Farm co-star Kaleb Cooper.
The duo filmed themselves congratulating the singers in front of a cheering crowd at Farm Fest.
Britain’s Got Talent fans on social media are convinced The Hawkstone Choir will bag the win this year following the semi-final performance.
One fan penned: ‘One of the favourites to win and it would be so deserved if they did. What a beautiful & heartwarming choir Hawkstone Farmers Choir are.’
Simon made a cheeky jibe towards Jeremy Clarkson after the choir performance
Another viewer wrote: ‘Massive massive massive congratulations to the Hawkstone farmers choir on #bgt tonight… They will win the final btw.’
Viewers can expect to see more of the choir on-screen, as they will be featuring in the upcoming fifth series of Clarkson’s Farm.
Jeremy, 66, who has fronted the hit Prime Video series since 2021, helped to form the choir, while they are supported by his Hawkstone Brewery.
A TV insider told The Sun: ‘Filming for series five is well and truly under way and the finished show is likely to air next year.
‘Fans will, however, be able to see series four in a matter of weeks, though according to Jeremy it’s a rather darker season than we’ve been used to.
‘But the appearance of the Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir in the following outing is going to make it more uplifting.
‘They’re going to have to get used to being even more famous though.’
Jeremy brought together the 32-member group in 2024 and they also work towards raising awareness and funds for mental health charities within the agricultural community.
Elsewhere, the choir have released a record and plan to give the money to mental health charity Shout.
It has been released in the run-up to Mental Health Awareness Week in May, with the choir kindly giving all profits from their vinyl directly to Shout in support of Farmers mental wellbeing.
The record is called The Banned One after a Hawkstone advert was banned for ‘not complying’ with broadcasting standards.
Victoria Hornby, chief executive of Shout, said: ‘The Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir has given an incredible voice to the mental health challenges faced by so many in the agricultural community.
‘We are immensely grateful to be the charity partner for this project. The funds raised from this vinyl will be vital, enabling us to train more volunteers and be there for anyone in the farming community who is struggling to cope. It will save lives.’
The Banned One is now available to buy on Hawkstone website for £7.50.
Jeremy previously shared he was ‘so happy’ as he heaped praised on the ‘fantastic’ choir, which is made up of farmers from around the UK.
Speaking to his fans on social media, Jeremy explained: ‘I watched Britain’s Got Talent tonight for the first time because the Hawkstone choir were on.
‘They were just fantastic. These guys are all farmers and they work incredibly hard for really incredibly small rewards and to see them all on that stage with all that love in the room made my heart sing.’
Holding back his emotions, he admitted of watching the audition: ‘I actually welled up, and thank you Amanda Holden for pressing that Golden Buzzer.
‘It shows that I think people quite like farmers, and they were very, very good so well done, all of you. I’m a very happy man tonight because the choir is fab. That’s it.’
Britain’s Got Talent continues Saturday at 7pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
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