Kaleb Cooper’s bank balance is looking mighty healthy just two years after paying himself a 50p-per-hour salary.
Signing up to Clarkson’s Farm was not only a beneficial move for viewers who’ve been entertained by his antics but it’s been an advantageous career choice for Kaleb.
The 26-year-old has been able to capitalise on his fame from the popular Amazon Prime Video show, helmed by Jeremy Clarkson, to create multiple streams of income.
Let’s take a look at his journey to find out just how he’s earned his fortune…
From farmer to reality star
He may not have been a known figure as a teenager, but Kaleb was very much already doing his thing. He started his first business after being gifted some chickens on his 13th birthday, and then at 16, he began a contracting venture.
As a farmer, Kaleb was earning a more modest wage: ‘I worked it out the other day, do you know how much my hourly rate is, how much I pay myself? 50p an hour,’ he previously said.
However, things changed dramatically when Kaleb accidentally fell into the TV world in 2021. Rather than apply to be on a reality show, fame happened upon Kaleb when the farm he worked on was brought by Jeremy.
The Top Gear presenter opted to keep Kaleb around to help him learn how to run Diddly Squat farm. He also famously invited cameras to document the process and it quickly became clear Kaleb was a natural on camera.
The unfiltered gent was unafraid to speak back to Jeremy and their slanging matches, which always had respect at the core, became a beloved part of the show. Their growing bond has been a core part of every episode, as well as Kaleb’s witty one-liners.
Producer Andy Wilman recalled the team’s excitement at Kaleb’s first scenes. ‘Here was this 21-year-old, completely unselfconscious about bollocking the big beast of Top Gear. He took Jeremy apart with such charm and wit. We high-fived in the editing suite: it was TV gold,’ he told The Times.
Three series later, and with at least two more on the way, Kaleb continues to be central to the storylines as ‘farm manager’ but that isn’t all he does.
Capitalising on his popularity
Kaleb quickly got to work turning his screen time into more cash in his bank.
First on his list of extracurricular activities was releasing a book, The World According to Kaleb. The title sold over 150,000 copies so naturally, his publisher wanted more. Two more books followed – Britain According to Kaleb: The Wonderful World of Country Life and Life According to Kaleb.
In 2024, it was time for Kaleb to hit the road with his tour, The World According To Kaleb: Kaleb Goes On Tour. Those in the audience heard Kaleb give his thoughts on everything from personal style to sheep and of course, Jeremy. The 33-date show hit up theatres all across the UK, adding to his money pot.
His tactics are working as his company Kaleb Cooper Productions Ltd’s 2024 annual filing hit £908,860 in cash and assets, which is an increase of £242,000 from the previous year. His second firm Kaleb Cooper Holdings Ltd also has more than £46,000.
Future goals
He’s already achieved a lot in his 26 years but Kaleb is far from done. In the future, Kaleb – who is dad to Oscar, three, and one-year-old Willa with fiancée Taya – would like to invest his money into a farm of his own.
‘Farming is not a job for me, it is a way of life and I love that way of life. My dream is to buy my own farm and that is what I am aiming towards,’ he told Farming Life.
He is currently working 115-hour weeks to fit in his day job and media work, in hopes he can retire young. He revealed his master plan to The Times: ‘I’ll make all the money now, hopefully, have a farm, then chill out, go partying and be in Ibiza, though I can’t think of anything worse than being in a nightclub.’
For 100 acres in Chipping Norton, where Kaleb lives and Diddly Squat is located, the price is upwards of £4 million so he’s got a little more work to do.
For now, you can continue to keep up with Kaleb on the next series of Clarkson’s Farm. The new episodes are set to arrive on the streamer in May 2025.
Clarkson’s Farm is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
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