Kaleb Cooper has become a huge star ever since he made his debut on Prime Video hit Clarkson’s Farm.
The 26-year-old from Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire has worked the farming industry since he was young and worked on various farms in the Cotswolds.
Cooper was brought into Clarkson’s Farm as a tractor driver and helped the TV presenter with the day-to-day running of his Diddly Squat Farm, which is based between Chipping Norton and Chadlington in Oxfordshire.
But he clearly won over viewers with his banter, straight talking with and his in-depth farming knowledge.
Beyond Clarkson’s Farm, the celebrity farmer has written books, made numerous TV appearances and even embarked on his own national tour entitled The World According to Kaleb.
The tour saw Kaleb share his tales about farming, life experiences while living in the countryside and what it is really like working with . Prime Video filmed his tour at Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham and the full set will be released on November 29.
But what do we know about his life off-screen, including his family life?
Early life of Kaleb Cooper
Farmer Kaleb Cooper shot to fame in the Prime Video series Clarkson’s Farm (Image: PR)
Born on July 2, 1998, the farmer was born and raised in Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire. Kaleb Cooper previously shared his parents’ ‘tricky’ divorce when he was 12.
His younger brother Kieron went to live with his father, a carpenter, while Kaleb stayed with his mother, who set up a mobile dog-grooming business. He had to grow up quickly.
Kaleb was not from a farming background, but he started to help out at a diary farm when he was aged 13.
He recalled: “My mum and dad split up and that’s the reason I’m the person I am today. My mum was struggling to pay the rent, so therefore I stood up and went, ‘I’m going to be the man of this house, help you pay the electric, gas and part of the rent and if you need money for petrol, I’ll pay for that as well’.
“It made me think outside the box and become entrepreneurial.” Cooper set up his own egg business at the age of 13, selling them around Chipping Norton for 25p.
This would give him around 10p profit per egg and within two months he owned around 450 chickens. He then progressed to owning three sheep and bought his first tractor at 15.
Kaleb virtually dropped out of school too and even paid the £50-a-week fine his mum received for his non-attendance. Kaleb did return to school to take his GCSEs, but picked Fridays as his best customer base were his teachers.
He added: “I learned so much about maths and English from doing my own thing at a young age. I could have been a spoilt little brat if farming hadn’t come along and swallowed me up. I owe my life to farming.”
Kaleb Cooper’s business ventures
Clarkson’s Farm star Kaleb Cooper is now a TV star (Image: Channel 4)
Since his childhood, Kaleb has since gone on to become a full-time farmer in the Cotswolds area. His expertise and experience with multiple farms led him to set up his own firm Kaleb Cooper Contracting.
Through his business, he offers “a range of agricultural contracting solutions in Oxfordshire and the surrounding counties”.
Kaleb Cooper has also written three books in recent years, including The World According To Kaleb, Britain According to Kaleb: The Wonderful World of Country Life and latest book It’s A Farming Thing.
His latest book covers his passion for agriculture and how he wants to promote farming. Prime Video viewers can enjoy a special performance from his national theatre tour The World According to Kaleb Cooper from Friday, November 29.
Filmed at the Cheltenham Everyman Theatre, the performance will include Kaleb’s unique observations and strong views on anything from sheep to famous people and why farming is the best job in the world. It will also highlight the challenges British farmers face today.
Speaking about the experience, Cooper said: “I feel so lucky to have gone on a brilliant theatre tour – and the first farmer to be able to say that! I met some amazing people and had such a laugh with everyone who came along.
“Now being able to share this with people watching Prime Video means farming will be on an even bigger stage. I’m really looking forward to bringing all the farming fun and highlighting important issues affecting the agricultural industry to people at home.”
What is Kaleb Cooper’s relationship with Jeremy Clarkson?
Jeremy Clarkson and Kaleb Cooper at Old Trafford Stadium (Image: Getty)
Kaleb admitted he didn’t know who Jeremy was before they met due to the fact he “doesn’t have much time to watch TV”. He once said an interview: “We have become quite close now. He’s been a father figure to me when it comes to understanding TV.
“I’ve learnt from the best there is and – I can’t believe I’m saying this – when he’s not p**sing me off, there is love there.”
The fourth series of Clarkson’s Farm is almost in the can and Cooper believes their friendship will be longlasting, with or without TV.
“What makes us have a really good friendship is the fact that if we have an argument – and of course we have a lot – 10 minutes after that big argument one of us will go, ‘Do you want a cup of tea?’ or ‘Are we going to have a pint down the pub tonight?’
“There’s no holding a grudge for four days before someone says, ‘Sorry’. We have an argument and after that, we’re fine.”
When asked about his views about Clarkson and his farming skills, Kaleb carefully said: “I want to be nice here,” he says carefully, smiling. “But part of me is saying he’s still a trainee. He’s getting there, though.
“We’re five years in the game now and if you haven’t picked up on certain things from five years in an industry, you’re probably in the wrong industry.”
Is Kaleb Cooper married?
Kaleb Cooper with his partner and son (Image: Instagram)
Kaleb Cooper is currently engaged to his partner Taya after Kaleb popped the question on Christmas Day 2022.
Kaleb and his fiancée Taya have two children together – three-year-old Oscar and one-year-old Willa Grace.
Reflecting on his family life, he said: “I’ve been with Taya (his partner) for eight years and I always said I wanted to be a young dad, so that when I get to age 40 I can go to the pub with my kids, or might be running my business and have them join so we can work together.”
He says he doesn’t want any more children. “As you know, pigs go out there and have 10. Can you imagine looking after 10 babies? Devastating.”
While busy with farming, Kaleb is also a hands-on dad and often shares pictures of himself and Oscar on Diddly Squat Farm as he learns the tricks of the trade.
Reflecting on his family life, he said: “I’ve been with Taya (his partner) for eight years and I always said I wanted to be a young dad, so that when I get to age 40 I can go to the pub with my kids, or might be running my business and have them join so we can work together.”
He says he doesn’t want any more children. “As you know, pigs go out there and have 10. Can you imagine looking after 10 babies? Devastating.”
While busy with farming, Kaleb is also a hands-on dad and often shares pictures of himself and Oscar on Diddly Squat Farm as he learns the tricks of the trade.