Clarkson’s Farm fans got quite the shock when they tuned in to watch the season 4 finale today.
For a brief moment during the closing moments of the eighth episode, there was a strange blink and you’ll miss it moment where a woman holding a red case flashed up on screen.
The cameo – if you want to call it that – seems rather inexplicable, and it’s not commented on by the narration, which has led some online to label it an editing error.
On X, @Nc2012_700x wrote that, ‘While watching Clarkson’s Farm on Amazon Prime Video, a still image of a woman flashed on screen for a split second. Likely an editing mistake. Anyone else notice this?’
They weren’t the only ones to spot the ‘mistake’.@gibsey007 tagged Jeremy in a tweet and asked, ‘Why was a single frame added to your end message. Who is she?’
Meanwhile, on Reddit, WasKnown asked other Clarkson’s farm fans ‘was symbolic of anything or an editing mistake? So confused by that.’
Of course, if you’ve been paying attention to British politics over the last few months, you’ll know this wasn’t an editing mistake or a random gag.
The woman in question is Rachel Reeves, the current Chancellor of the Exchequer, who upset farmers with her recent budget.
Basically, the UK government has reintroduced a 20% inheritance tax on farms valued at more than £1million. This means the children and heirs of some farmers will no longer inherit land tax-free as they once did.
Needless to say, the move has upset a number of farmers across the UK who claim that while their assets may be valuable, they are cash poor.
They argue then this new law will force those inheriting farms to sell their land if they want to pay the tax bill.
Farmers claim this puts the future of the industry at risk and threatens food security in the UK.
Supporters on the other hand, argue that the current law – which means farmers don’t pay inheritance tax – is being abused by the wealthy to avoid taxes.
Furthermore, they claim that only a small percentage of UK farmers will be affected
Still, the British farming community was so incensed by the proposal that there were widespread protests in London, with Jeremy Clarkson becoming something of a spokesperson for the movement.
Speaking to Sky News during one protest, Clarkson demanded that the government ‘back down’ on the policy.
‘If you make a mistake, we all do, and they have, be big enough to say we made a mistake here, and then back down,’ he said.
It seems likely, then, that the picture of Reeves which flashes up just as Jeremy says ‘next year couldn’t be any worse’ is a not-so-subtle dig at the chancellor’s plans, which will come into force from 2026.
While some fans were baffled by Reeve’s appearance, others immediately got the gag and shared their thoughts on it on social media.
@jfyuga wrote on X, ‘Seeing a subliminal frame of Rachel Reeves with the red briefcase during the last episode of Clarkson’s Farm 4…. Well played @JeremyClarkson’.
Shane Ó Dubhuir, meanwhile, added, ‘Rachel Reeves very brief appearance at the end of Clarkson’s Farm [crying face emoji].’
Clarkson’s Farm season 4 is available to stream now on Amazon Prime Video
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.