Ricky Gervais Takes Aim at Jeremy Clarkson’s New Project in a Perfectly British Way.
Ricky Gervais Takes a Cheeky Swipe at Jeremy Clarkson After Launching His Own Farming-Backed Vodka Brand
Ricky Gervais has never been one to miss a good punchline — especially when it comes to his fellow British celebrities. The After Life star recently took a playful jab at Jeremy Clarkson after promoting his new farming-backed spirits brand, proving that even in the world of sustainable vodka, comedy still reigns supreme.
From Sitcoms to Sustainability
In recent years, Gervais has expanded far beyond comedy and television. The 63-year-old actor and writer is now co-owner of Ellers Farm Distillery, a North Yorkshire-based producer of Dutch Barn Vodka. The company takes pride in using 100% British-grown apples and a planet-friendly approach to distilling.
Announcing the partnership on social media, Gervais described the venture as “a blend of sustainability, quality, and good fun.” In a previous video, he told fans:
“I’m thrilled to announce I’m now co-owner of Ellers Farm Distillery. We make Dutch Barn Vodka — it tastes great, it’s made from British apples, and we’re committed to protecting the ecosystem.”
Ellers Farm’s philosophy is simple: balance people, planet, and profit. Its mission statement proudly declares that it wants to create “spirits that are the best for the world while being the world’s best.”
But as it turns out, Gervais’s vodka brand has also given him the perfect excuse to stir up a bit of friendly mischief online — with none other than Jeremy Clarkson as the unsuspecting target.
Clarkson, May, and the Boozy Boys’ Club
Jeremy Clarkson, 65, has become a champion of British farming through his Amazon Prime series Clarkson’s Farm. Over the past few years, the former Top Gear host has swapped fast cars for tractors, dealing with everything from runaway sheep to agricultural red tape. He’s also launched his own drinks line, Hawkstone Beer, brewed with barley grown right on his Oxfordshire land.
His Grand Tour co-host James May followed suit, unveiling his very own James Gin brand — setting up a friendly rivalry in the trio’s post-Top Gear careers.
But it was May’s lighthearted exchange with Gervais on social media that led to one of the funniest moments of the week.
The Tweet That Sparked It All
To promote his vodka — and its support for a donkey charity — Gervais tweeted to his 14.5 million followers:
“To celebrate the long-awaited return to common sense and reason, why not treat yourself to some Dutch Barn Vodka? It also helps donkeys. And they never hurt anyone.”
Fans applauded the charitable angle and witty tone. But James May couldn’t resist joining in.
“I love donkeys,” he replied. “But one of them bit me on the arm when I was eight, and it hurt like a b*****d. But you do you. James Gin.”
That was all the setup Gervais needed. With perfect comic timing, he fired back with a sly nod to May’s old colleague, Jeremy Clarkson:
“Maybe it was hungry. Clarkson actually punched someone in the face when he was peckish 😂. — Ricky Vodka.”
The jab, of course, referenced Clarkson’s infamous 2015 incident that led to his departure from Top Gear, when he punched producer Oisin Tymon during a late-night dispute. The two later settled the matter privately, but the story remains one of British television’s most talked-about moments.
Fans React: “Comedy Gold”
Social media users quickly lit up with laughter over the exchange. One X user wrote, “This is like Hemingway and Bukowski tweeting about booze — absolute legends.” Another joked, “My two favourite British icons arguing over alcohol. What a time to be alive.”
Others simply applauded the wholesome absurdity of it all: “Guys, please stop. It’s like watching my two best friends meet for the first time — one drinking gin, the other vodka.”
Raising a Glass to Friendly Rivalry
While Gervais, Clarkson, and May have taken different paths since The Grand Tour, they’ve all landed in the same boozy business — each turning their personal passions into British-made beverages with character.
Clarkson continues to expand his Hawkstone range, even as he battles the ups and downs of rural life (and the occasional exploding cider bottle). May’s gin has become a cult favourite, and Gervais’s vodka is already earning praise for its eco-friendly ethos and crisp taste.
For fans, it’s a joy to see three of Britain’s most distinctive voices — the cynic, the farmer, and the gentleman — mixing humour, entrepreneurship, and a splash of alcohol. And if their social media exchanges are anything to go by, the competition between James Gin, Hawkstone Beer, and Dutch Barn Vodka is just getting started.
Cheers to that.
