Hugh Thomas of the Pembrokeshire Sunflower Farm, near Nevern, is appearing on the ITV talent show as part of Jeremy Clarkson’s Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir.

The 34-strong choir is made up entirely of real British farmers. It was created as a promotional and campaigning project linked to Jeremy Clarkson’s Hawkstone beer and cider brand.

Hugh thought he was joining a local choir when his daughter filled out the application form. (Image: Pembrokeshire Sunflower Farm)

The choir brings working farmers together to sing humorous, often sweary songs used in adverts and online videos to promote British-farmed drinks, highlight the pressures on UK agriculture, and champion struggling pubs.

Hugh, 75, used to sing in a local choir before lockdown but fell out of the habit during the pandemic.

Last year his daughter saw an advert online for a famers’ choir and filled out the application for Hugh. At the time they both thought it was for a local choir.

The advert was in fact for Jeremy Clarkson’s Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir and out of 600 applicants from throughout the UK, Hugh was selected as one of the choir’s 34 members.

Hugh and Kaleb Cooper, Jeremy Clarkson’s right hand man. (Image: Pembrokeshire Sunflower Farm)

Hugh is one of only six Welsh members of the choir and the only singer from Pembrokeshire to join.

Since he became part of the choir, Hugh has spent weekends away rehearsing and recording songs and adverts. He also took part in the choir’s Christmas concert at the Farmer’s Dog pub with singing and snow machines and a private party afterwards.

For Hugh, joining the choir is even more significant; this time last year he was in hospital with sepsis and pneumonia after contracting a tropical illness during a holiday in the Caribbean.

“It’s been a big turn around for him,” said his wife, Rachel. “The choir has given him a new lease of life after a bit of a shock.

Hug is part of Jeremy Clarkson’s Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir. (Image: Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir)

“It’s been a lot of fun for all the choir members,” said Rachel.

She added that the choir had been a great opportunity for members to meet other farmers from all over the UK and share ideas and stories as well as support each other.

The Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir will appear in Saturday night’s episode of Britain’s Got Talent. This was a recorded audition. If the choir is successful, then it will progress to the live auditions.

Hugh, centre second row, with Jeremy Clarkson and Kaleb Cooper in the Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir. (Image: Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir)

“They have decided that should they be successful and win the competition, they will give all the money to farming charities,” said Rachel.

To watch Hugh in Jeremy Clarkson’s Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir in the Britain’s Got Talent auditions, switch on ITV1 at 7pm on Saturday, March 21.