Jeremy Clarkson's pub consultants 'feel stitched up' after being branded 'awful'
Rachel Hawkins, 40, who appeared on the final episodes of Clarkson's Farm, has hit out at the show and claimed she was 'stitched up' after fans branded her 'snobby'
Clarkson's Farm star Rachel Hawkins has broken her silence about her involvement in helping Jeremy Clarkson open his Cotswolds pub, and she's not holding back against critics after facing severe backlash.
The 40-year-old businesswoman reportedly believes that she and her aunt Sue, who is also her business partner, were unfairly portrayed as 'villains' to boost the ratings of the popular Amazon Prime TV show following the former Top Gear presenter's journey as a farmer.
The pub transformers were labelled 'snobby' and 'rude' by some savage viewers thanks to a series of tense disagreements with Clarkson, who had hired them to help him with the mammoth task of getting his pub, The Farmer's Dog, off the ground.
But it didn't work out, and Rachel and Sue, who featured in the final episodes of the latest series of the programme, ended up leaving the project just two days after the grand opening of the country inn. Their early exit led to some viewers to speculate about their reason for bailing sooner than expected.
When questioned if Clarkson's Farm had been edited to portray her and Sue in "a bad light to make better TV", Rachel tellingly replied: "It seems to be the way doesn't it?"
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Rachel didn't let the criticism get to her, adding: "It's a shame it was us, but it is what it is - we will keep a smile on our face, and keep our chin up."
The businesswoman also revealed to the publication that she was unable to fully defend herself against the onslaught of public criticism due to a legally-binding contract, known as a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), with the production company. "I think it is best to not say anything further. I don't want to get myself into trouble," she confessed.
However, one of her friend was able to tell the publication that Rachel feels she's been "stitched up a bit" when she and Sue were just offering Clarkson some "sensible advice" based on their expert knowledge.
"They were ridiculed for suggesting to Jeremy that he buy three huge umbrellas for the outdoor area for the pub at a cost of £40,000. But it was a sensible suggestion and he eventually ended up buying them," the pal said. "It's just a shame that they have received so much criticism."
In a memorable scene from season four of Clarkson's Farm, Sue and Rachel suggested that Clarkson shell out £40,000 on outdoor patio umbrellas, despite his initial budget of just £25,000 for the entire pub opening. Despite initially dismissing the aunt-niece pair's costly advice, it appears that Clarkson has unexpectedly changed his mind.
On Tuesday, he shared a photo of his pub terrace featuring three brand new large "jumbrellas". Clarkson captioned the post: "Turns out Sue and Rachel had a point. @thefarmersdogpub did need big umbrellas after all! !".
Clarkson acquired The Windmill, situated just outside Burford in Oxfordshire, last year and brought in Rachel and Sue to refurbish the venue, ensuring his ambitious five-week turnaround plan would stay on track.
However, Sue confessed that the challenge of revamping the pub in such a short timeframe was "daunting" and "not ideal," but they pressed on with the project regardless.
Outlining their ambitious plans to their bewildered new boss, Rachel said to Clarkson: "First on our list, covering the deck with some jumbrellas. We needed to sign it off in about 40 minutes to guarantee their arrival. They're three enormous umbrellas to cover the entire deck, approximately £40,000."
Sue quickly added that the steep sum would encompass "electrics, lighting, and future-proofing" for the investment, only to be met by a stunned, slack-jawed reaction from the erstwhile Grand Tour presenter.
Echoing his disbelief, Clarkson eventually found words to say: "Sorry, you're saying words... £40,000 for three umbrellas. £40,000 for three umbrellas!" He acknowledged the necessity for umbrellas but expressed his conviction that the cost was beyond reason, exclaiming, "I'm well aware we need umbrellas, I know that, but I genuinely believe that's nuts."
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