Doncaster born Jeremy Clarkson says National Television Awards win is a ‘vote for farmers’

Jeremy Clarkson has said his win at the National Television Awards is a “vote for farmers”.

Clarkson’s Farm won the reality docuseries prize, defeating hits including At Home With The Furys, Stacey & Joe and Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing.

Collecting the prize from the new hosts of Clarkson’s former show The Grand Tour – Francis Bourgeois, James Engelsman and Thomas Holland, Clarkson said: “Crikey. Some lovely programmes in that category.

“I’ve just discovered Paris Fury is from Doncaster like I am. I don’t want to drone on forever, on behalf of everyone who makes this amazing show, thank you.”

Speaking backstage after his win, Clarkson added it was a “thrill” to scoop the gong.

“The people who voted for us…I also think they kind of voted for farmers. I think they are going ‘oh that is a difficult job’.”

The Prime Video series won the factual entertainment series at last year’s award.

Earlier this year, Clarkson revealed he had been diagnosed with “aggressive” prostate cancer, which had been discovered early, during an episode of Clarkson’s Farm.

He later said that a PSA test in April showed no indication of cancer and he is in remission.

“I had a heart thing and then a bit of cancer, but we are very lucky to live in a time when doctors can mend you very quickly and easily,” he said backstage at the NTAs.

“I was only also away two weeks too (for treatment).

“It was just annoying as I missed a lot of the harvest.”

Clarkson also gave an update on the 11 sheep that were recently stolen from his farm.

He said: “I think it’s a foregone conclusion that you probably ate one of them last night. There’s none on the farm and there’s no blood and guts, so somebody has stolen them and butchered them.

“They were the breeding ewes, which is genuinely annoying. They are £205 each, so over £2000 worth of sheep were stolen. It’s annoying and it’s happening a lot.

“Farmers are armed…I don’t know why people don’t realise that.”

The NTAs started with a performance from The Hawkstone Farmers Choir – who won the latest season of Britain’s Got Talent earlier this year after being put together by Clarkson.

The first award handed out was The Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award – which was won by Michael McIntyre’s Big Show.

His show was nominated alongside Gladiators, The Masked Singer, Would I Lie To You? and The Graham Norton Show.

New drama was then awarded to I Fought The Law – which starred Sheridan Smith as Ann Ming – a British mother who campaigned to overturn the 800-year-old British double jeopardy law following the murder of her daughter.

“Making this was a privilege,” said Daniel York Loh, who played Daniel Ming.

“It was such a powerful story and we did it with amazing people,” he added.

The series had been nominated along with The Other Bennet Sister, A Woman of Substance, Heated Rivalry and Believe Me.

Gogglebox won the factual entertainment prize, defeating Secret Garden, Sort Your Life Out, 24 Hours In Police Custody and The Martin Lewis Money Show Live.

Emmerdale’s Jeff Hordley also won serial drama performance for his portrayal of Cain Dingle.