Chris Packham has branded Jeremy Clarkson an "agitator" amid an ongoing feud between the two television personalities. Both presenters share a keen interest in farming, with Springwatch star Packham well known for his vocal criticism of the environmental damage caused by modern agricultural techniques.

Former Top Gear host Clarkson, meanwhile, owns Diddly Squat Farm in the Cotswolds, which serves as the backdrop for his hugely popular Prime Video series, Clarkson's Farm. It was 65-year-old Packham who appeared to fire the opening shot during an appearance on Celebrity Gogglebox earlier this year.

"Already, right, that's not what a farm looks like," the BBC presenter remarked while watching Clarkson's show alongside his conservationist stepdaughter, Megan McCubbin. He went on to elaborate: "Most farms are horrible monocultures, which have been sprayed with deadly chemicals time and time again. The ground is pumped full of fertiliser, and loads of the animals are indoors in crates, being crushed and kept in the dark."

Despite a string of exchanges online, Packham conceded that he "understands" Clarkson's approach to farming, though he couldn't resist taking another swipe at his rival. "I understand what he does," he told The Times. "He's an agitator. I respect him for that because it is akin to what I'm trying to do."

Packham, who became a household name during the 1980s presenting children's programme The Really Wild Show, explained: "I'm trying to promote conversations to maximise the speed of positive change, however uncomfortable that might be for people. My point is that if all farms were like Jeremy Clarkson's, the world would be a better place.

"But the fact of the matter is they're not. They're used as a front by industrial farming to keep their produce on the shelves."

Jeremy Clarkson purchased the land that became Diddly Squat Farm back in 2008 [Jeremy Clarkson purchased the land that became Diddly Squat Farm back in 2008]
Jeremy Clarkson purchased the land that became Diddly Squat Farm back in 2008

Following the Gogglebox outburst, Jeremy was swift to hit back as he reminded his X followers of a 2012 visit when Packham came to his farm and happily spent the day "foraging and bird watching" together.

"The endlessly angry Chris Packham went on Gogglebox this week and erupted in blind fury about the Winnie the Pooh-ish opening credits to my farming programme," he fumed in his column for The Sun.

The 66-year old continued his rebuttal: "It's b******s. And Chris knows it's b******s because, back in 2012, he came to Diddly Squat and spent the day in our woods, foraging and bird watching. If there had been some animals in a crate, being crushed, I'm sure he would have noticed and said something."

Packham later turned to Instagram to present several statistics regarding the UK farming industry, while taking another pointed jab at his critic, however. In a caption accompanying data about animal welfare, pesticide use and habitat destruction, he remarked: "Tell me Jeremy Clarkson, is it really all happy smiley down on the farm?"

But in a somewhat unexpected turn, Jeremy appeared to soften his stance, expressing remorse over his newspaper column. He acknowledged: "I was very incensed by this [Packham's comments] and immediately wrote in The Sun that he was talking b******s. But in the new age of tolerance and respect, I shouldn't have done that. I should have kept schtum."

Chris, however, still wasn't finished, accusing Clarkson of being amongst numerous "industrial farmers" concealing the true nature of contemporary farming practices. Speaking to the Express, he stated: "Clarkson is being disingenuous and the industrial farmers are making a smokescreen to hide their horrors. I made the comments about the silly idealistic stereotyped cartoon at the top of his programme, he knows that."

And he further criticised Jeremy for portraying "an entirely unrealistic image of most of UK farms", pointing out: "The industrial farming fraternity love 'Clarkson's Farm' because it gives them something pretty to hide behind, a friendly flagship of good ol' wholesome values.

"The truth is so very different and it's a truth that needs to be told for the sake of animal welfare, wildlife, human health and a secure environmental future. They can shoot at the messenger, but they will not silence the truth, even if Jezza has a big mouth."