Jeremy Clarkson has disclosed that he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer last summer, undergoing an operation to remove 10% of his prostate. The 66-year-old presenter, known for his roles on Top Gear and Clarkson's Farm, shared the news in the final two episodes of the fifth series of his Prime Video documentary, which were filmed last year and released on Tuesday.
In the episodes, Clarkson told his farm manager Kaleb Cooper and land agent Charlie Ireland: 'I've got cancer.' He explained that a medical in May led to a biopsy, revealing the disease. 'It is cancer, and it's aggressive,' he said, but noted it was caught at a 'really early stage.' He credited early detection with potentially saving his life, stating: 'If I hadn't have got myself checked out... this could well have been my last harvest.'
The diagnosis comes eight months after Clarkson underwent heart surgery for blocked coronary arteries. In the series, he is shown in a hospital bed at the end, saying: 'Some of the treatment has gone awry... I'll probably be here for a little while.' He warned fans on social media of 'sombre news' in the episodes, describing them as 'a difficult watch.'
Prostate Cancer UK thanked Clarkson for raising awareness. Chiara De Biase, the charity's fundraising and health strategy director, said: 'Thankfully he found the disease at an early stage, but sadly this is still not the experience of many men across the UK.' She urged men to use the charity's online risk checker or consult their GP about a blood test.
Prostate cancer accounts for 28% of all new male cancer cases in the UK, according to Cancer Research UK. Clarkson had previously urged men to get checked, saying: 'All it takes to get on top of the situation early is a moment or two of being a bit cross-eyed.'
