Jeremy Clarkson has spoken out about his longtime friend Sir Ranulph Fiennes, saying he is 'sad to hear about his current problems' and insisting the 82-year-old explorer 'should not be in a bloody care home'.
Questions about Sir Ranulph, who has not been seen in public for two years, arose after fellow explorer Anton Bowring wrote to him in February last year asking for his help, The Telegraph revealed. The British explorer is said to have been moved to care homes in Wales and Cheshire in the past year under an assumed identity, but his current whereabouts are unknown.
Top Gear's 'most memorable' guest
The former explorer failed to attend a Royal Geographical Society gala evening celebrating his life in October 2024. He instead appeared in a brief pre-recorded video – and has not been seen in public since.
TV star Jeremy has now called his friend the 'most memorable' guest on Top Gear, after he appeared on the BBC show in the height of its success. Normally on the show, guests were given a slot lasting eight to 10 minutes, but Sir Ranulph's interview ran for 17.
Writing in his column for The Times, Jeremy said: 'I've actually known Ran all my adult life.
'My mum and he became friends when she made a soft toy incarnation of his dog, Bothie. And that's why I've been sad over the last few weeks to learn of his current problems.
'But there's more to it than that. A man like that should not be in a bloody care home.'
Concerns over welfare
He continued: 'The idea of him sitting there doing beetle drives and eating fish fingers fills me with despair.
'He should be out in the woods, blowing s**t up and roasting a bear over a fire he started using nothing but his own ear lobes.'
The King was reportedly blocked as he tried to check on the wellbeing of Ranulph, after being alerted to concerns about his declining health and isolation. Charles was left 'most concerned' after the explorer's wife, Louise Millington-Cotes, reportedly blocked his attempts to reach out, the Telegraph claimed.
The publication also reported that one of the facilities where Ranulph lived had raised concerns over his welfare with the authorities and the police. It's believed the owner wrote to the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), alerting them of the medical arrangements made by Millington-Cotes. This reportedly included concerns about a 'do not resuscitate' document she provided.
The care home owner also raised concerns with the Care Inspectorate of Wales, which declared Sir Ranulph was being unlawfully kept in care homes and unable to consent to his care or treatment.
