Jeremy Clarkson has expressed his despair over the news that his long-time friend Sir Ranulph Fiennes has been placed in a care home, insisting the explorer "shouldn't be in a care home".
The former Top Gear host, 66, opened up about his most memorable guests on the motoring show, which he presented from 1988 until 1998 and again from 2002 until 2015 alongside James May and Richard Hammond.
Memorable Top Gear appearance
Writing in his latest column for The Times, Clarkson revealed that Sir Ranulph, whom he affectionately called "Ran", was "by far the most memorable" guest on the show.
He recalled that guests were usually given a slot lasting eight to 10 minutes, but Sir Ranulph's interview ran for 17 minutes. The audience was even asked whether they wanted to see a road test of the Renault Clio or the interview with Sir Ranulph - they chose the latter.
During the appearance, Sir Ranulph told tales of how he had sawn off his own fingers, lost his toes, and shared stories about his days in the SAS. He also revealed he had stolen explosives to blow up a dam built by Twentieth Century Fox for the film Doctor Dolittle.
Explorer's reported care home placement
Britain's greatest living explorer vanished from public life nearly two years ago. It has since been reported that the 82-year-old was placed in a care home, having been moved across facilities in London, Cheshire and Wales without the knowledge of his close friends or wider family, according to The Telegraph.
Visitors at one London home were allegedly forced to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) before being allowed to see him.
Clarkson revealed that Sir Ranulph had been a family friend when his mum had made a soft toy incarnation of his dog Bothie.
Clarkson's heartfelt plea
"That's why I've been sad over the last few weeks to learn of his current problems," Jeremy wrote in The Times.
"But there's more to it than that. A man like that should not be in a bloody care home. The idea of him sitting there doing beetle drives and eating fish fingers fills me with despair."
Sir Ranulph was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019. Concerns over his whereabouts emerged after the former explorer failed to attend a Royal Geographical Society gala evening celebrating his life on October 23, 2024. He instead appeared in a brief pre-recorded video - and has not been seen in public since.
