Harriet Cowan from Derbyshire was a new addition to the cast in the latest season, which was released on Prime Video across May and June last year.

The 24-year-old temporarily stood in for long-time fan favourite Kaleb Cooper as he toured, helping Jeremy Clarkson at the farm in Chadlington, Oxfordshire.

She left midway through the series once her help was no longer needed, but became popular with viewers despite her short time on screen.

READ MORE: Dame Mary Berry admits she ‘nearly poisoned’ viewers with recipe

Back in February, Ms Cowan revealed that she was rushed to the hospital after chopping the end of her finger off.

On Instagram at the time, she said: “Sorry, I’ve been quiet.

“Been a c****y week, had a run in with a log splitter, chopped the end of my finger off, but a quick surgery, they stitched it back on.

“Lambing starts now. A big thank you to the amazing team at Pulvertaft Hand Clinic.”

READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson makes fan’s day after being spotted at bar

Ms Cowan has now addressed the incident several months later in a piece with The Times published today (Wednesday, April 15).

“I had a nastyish accident earlier this year: a log fell out of the log splitter and landed on my finger, taking the top off,” she said.

“I won’t have a real nail on there, but I haven’t got one on the finger next to it either. A sheep pulled it off.”

Clarkson’s Farm is to return to screens next month on Prime Video with series five, which wrapped filming in September 2025.

The homes would be built on agricultural land west of Bicester, between the A41 and Blackthorn Road.

But an environment document for the early-stage plans has raised concerns about the damage to a “high archaeological potential” site.

An 80-bed care home, a local centre and open space would also be included in the development.

A geological survey of the site, which lies in a landscape of rich Roman activity, showed anomalies including enclosures, pits, trackways, postholes, ring ditches, potential boundaries and kilns.

As part of the next steps, an outline planning application should be submitted, including an Environmental Statement to assess any potential significant environmental effects.

Map showing developments in Bicester, with the red section showing where the latest 1,000 homes could go (Image: Cherwell District Council)

Other concerns have been raised about ecology, transport, limited sewage capacity and inadequate infrastructure, including no plans for a new school.

Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife is “very concerned” about the location and cumulative ecological impact.

The site extends Bicester towards a cluster of reserves, meadows and sites of special scientific interest, including a 22 hectare local wildlife site within 100m.

It warns development could sever strategic ecological corridors, contrary to the local plan policy.

With plans for the Oxfordshire Strategic Rail Freight Interchange near J10, Puy du Four theme park and major housing at RAF Upper Heyford, these could create near-continuous urbanisation, blocking non-urban tolerant species.

Ambrosden Parish Council stated strong objections to the un-allocated site, local circumstances, infrastructure, biodiversity and traffic and highways.

Launton Parish Council detailed concerns, stating surface water runoff could risk Launton Brook, fears of coalescence with Wretchwick Farm and the need for improvements to the local sewerage network.

Bicester Town Council and Blackthorn Parish Council did not comment at the time of drafting the report.

Oxfordshire County Council, the highways authority, says the submitted transport study area is too narrow and must be agreed, including key A41 junctions such as Ploughley Road, Oxford Road, Lakeview Drive, and Rodney House roundabout.

READ MORE: Motorised underpass preferred option for Bicester crossing

It demands a full collision analysis on the A41, where there has been a fatality, to understand causation and design issues, agreed trip rates, 18 and 24-hour traffic calculations and an assessment for potential speed boundary changes.

Alongside the parish councils, the county council noted a lack of proposed school and therefore the potential for insufficient pre, primary and secondary education.

As a result, the county council stresses a need for active travel links to Wretchwick Green’s consented primary school and Kingsmere secondary.

The applicant now needs to prepare a full environmental statement covering the identified topics, commission an extended transport study with the county council, archaeology evaluation and ecological strategy.

The Department for Work and Pensions confirmed that almost 1.5 million households across England and Wales were supported through the Cold Weather Payment scheme before it closed at the end of March.

More than £35 million was paid out during the winter, with payments automatically triggered during periods of freezing temperatures.

Why you may have been paid £25 without knowing

The payments were issued when temperatures dropped to zero degrees or below for seven consecutive days in your area.

Eligible households, including pensioners and those on low incomes, did not need to apply, as the money was paid directly into bank accounts.

Support covered those on benefits such as Pension Credit, Universal Credit and Income Support, helping with heating costs during cold snaps.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: “This support is a lifeline for vulnerable households when temperatures plummet.”

Check if your postcode triggered a payment

Because the scheme depended on local weather triggers, payments varied by postcode. Here are some of the areas that qualified this winter:

• North East (Albemarle area): DH, DL, NE, TS postcodes
• East of England (Andrewsfield): CB, CM, CO, RM, SG postcodes
• Yorkshire & North West (Bingley): BD, BB, HX, LS, OL, S postcodes
• North West (Carlisle): CA postcodes
• South East (Charlwood): RH, TN, BN, GU, ME postcodes
• Scotland borders (Charterhall, Eskdalemuir): TD, DG postcodes
• South Coast (Hurn): BH, DT, SP postcodes
• Midlands (Keele): ST, CW, SK postcodes
• Wales (Libanus, Lake Vyrnwy): CF, NP, LD, SY postcodes
• Norfolk & East (Marham, Tibenham): NR, PE, IP postcodes
• North East & Yorkshire (Loftus, Leeming): TS, YO, DL postcodes
• Greater Manchester (Rostherne, Rochdale): M, OL, BL, SK, WN postcodes
• London & South East (Rothamsted): AL, LU, WD, SG postcodes
• Midlands & South (Woburn, Stowe): MK, NN postcodes

If your postcode falls within one of these areas, you may have received one or more payments between November and March.

What happens now the scheme has ended

The Cold Weather Payment scheme ran from November 2025 and officially ended on March 31 2026, meaning no new payments will now be triggered until next winter.

However, households could still receive late payments if a qualifying cold spell occurred before the deadline.

Pensions Minister Torsten Bell said: “Almost 1.5 million households have already benefited from Cold Weather Payments this winter, with support reaching those who need it most.

“In addition, our biggest ever Pension Credit take-up campaign and our Triple Lock commitment, which will see the State Pension increase by up to £2,100 over this Parliament, are ensuring pensioners get the support they need.”

With energy bills remaining high, the payments provided crucial support during colder months.

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But because they were automatic, many people may not have noticed the extra money or realised they were eligible.

The Cold Weather Payment is just one part of wider cost of living help, including:

• £150 off energy bills
• £300 Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners
• Increased National Living Wage
• A new £1 billion support fund for households in crisis

Morgan Vine, Director of Policy and Influencing at Independent Age said: “Cold Weather Payments can be a lifeline during cold snaps.

“With more than half of older people on low incomes across England and Wales regularly sharing that they are worried about meeting the cost of their heating bill, it is crucial that vital support like this reaches those who need it most.

“We welcome this £35 million investment from the UK Government to support people of all ages struggling to heat their homes and look forward to continuing to work with the Government to ensure older people on low incomes receive the financial support they need.”