Jeremy Clarkson has revealed he has been diagnosed with cancer, with the emotional admission coming during the latest episodes of Clarkson’s Farm.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The TV presenter broke the news in episode seven of the hit farming series while speaking with farm manager Charlie Ireland and long-time co-star Kaleb Cooper about plans for the upcoming harvest.
As the trio discussed pencilling in the busy period for July, Clarkson abruptly revealed that wouldn’t be possible.
Asked by Cooper if he was planning to go away, Clarkson replied simply: “Yeah… I’ve got cancer.”
The moment left both Ireland and Cooper visibly stunned.
In his usual blunt fashion, Clarkson refused to reveal where the cancer was at first, saying: “Where it is of no concern of anybody.”
He then explained he had known since May after undergoing a medical check-up.
“I’ve known since May. I had a medical, remember? Back in May,” Clarkson said. “I disappeared off the other week and had a biopsy done, and it is cancer and it’s aggressive, but it’s really early – so the treatment will be, you know…”
Clarkson said he had hoped to push treatment back until after harvest, but admitted the timing meant it would now land right in the middle of one of the busiest periods on the farm.
“I was praying we could get the harvest done and then I could go and get some treatment but it’s going to be slap bang in the middle,” the Top Gear legend added.
He also confirmed he would be undergoing surgery within weeks.
“Listen, I’m not daft, it’s going to be in about two weeks, maybe three,” he said. “I’ll have to go and have an operation and then, the operation is in and out in no time, but your body’s out of action for a little while.”
Cooper, clearly emotional, responded by telling Clarkson to “look after yourself” and reminded him: “if you need anything just ring”.
When Cooper admitted, “I don’t like this,” Clarkson answered with trademark dry humour: “I wasn’t thrilled.”
Before adding: “I’ll be fine.”
The diagnosis comes after what Clarkson described as an incredibly difficult year, with the presenter reflecting on both his cancer battle and previous heart issues.
“So we started the year and I had coronary heart disease and ended it with me with cancer,” he said during the final episode.
Despite the setbacks, Clarkson made it clear he wanted to focus on the positives.
“We can dwell as much as we like on all the bad things that have happened on the farm but I think it is better now at the end of the year to focus on things that have happened that are good.”
Later in the series, Clarkson revealed he had undergone treatment targeting his prostate, with doctors removing part of it via ultrasound.
“The prostate, 10 percent of it is dead,” he explained. “The 10 per cent where the cancer is.”
The season closes on a stark note, with Clarkson filmed from a hospital bed after complications during treatment.
“Some of the treatment has gone awry, let’s say, I’m going to be here for a little while. I’m nil by mouth, I don’t know what’s going to happen,” he said. “What I wanted to say was if this is all successful, I’ll see you for season six and if it isn’t I won’t. Take care everyone.”
Fortunately, after leaving hospital, Clarkson shared a more upbeat update with Cooper.
“I’m feeling good, I’m strong they won’t know if it’s worked or not until November,” he revealed. “They do blood tests and things.”
The latest episodes landed just hours after Clarkson himself warned fans they would be difficult viewing.
Posting on Instagram, he said: “Got some good news and some sombre news.
“Good news is that Hawkstone has finally had an advert accepted and it will be shown just before kick-off in the England match tomorrow evening.
“Sombre news, Clarkson’s Farm. Ordinarily, we try to keep the show charming and cheerful. But the final two episodes, which drop in the middle of the night tonight, are none of those things really. They’re a difficult watch. They’re really, really difficult.”
Away from Clarkson’s personal health battle, the same episode — titled Sickening — also dealt with the devastating bovine TB outbreak at Diddly Squat Farm, adding another emotional blow to a brutal year on the farm.
According to the National Health Service, prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men over 50 and can often be successfully treated when caught early — something Clarkson stressed in his own case, despite describing it as “aggressive.”
Per the NHS website, prostate cancer often shows no symptoms in its early stages, which is why regular check-ups can be so important.
But as it develops, some of the most common warning signs can include:
- Difficulty starting to pee
- Straining or taking longer while peeing
- A weak urine flow
- Stopping and starting while peeing
- Needing to pee more often, especially at night
- Feeling like your bladder hasn’t fully emptied
- Sudden urges to pee
- Blood in urine
- Blood in semen
- Erectile dysfunction
- Pain in the lower back, hips, or pelvis
- Unexplained weight loss (usually in more advanced cases)
The NHS advises anyone experiencing these symptoms — particularly men over 50 — to speak to their GP, although many of these signs can also be linked to non-cancerous prostate issues.
Featured image credit: Instagram/JeremyClarkson/Prime Video/Clarkson’s Farm
