Jeremy Clarkson's partner Lisa Hogan has revealed the former Top Gear presenter initially pleaded "Please don't" when she filmed him in hospital after his prostate cancer diagnosis, but his decision to go public has helped thousands.
Hesitation before going public
The 66-year-old, now in remission, disclosed his diagnosis of "aggressive" prostate cancer on the most recent series of Clarkson's Farm. He opted for high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), a minimally invasive procedure using high-frequency soundwaves to heat and destroy targeted cancer cells.
Hogan, his partner of nine years, told the Daily Star Sunday that Clarkson was at first reluctant to make his diagnosis public. "I'm really happy he caught his prostate cancer early and I'm really proud of him for putting it on the show, because that was a really big decision. When I was filming him in hospital at first, he said, 'Please don't'."
Producer's influence and public impact
It was producer Andy Wilman who convinced Clarkson to share his story, Hogan said. "When the show came out, Prostate Cancer UK had 30,000 people going on to their website in one day."
Hogan also encouraged Clarkson to talk to friends about his diagnosis. "Yes, of course it was a terrible worry," she continued. "But what I did encourage him to do was to talk to his friends. He didn't want to initially, but he's got lots of friends who've been through the same thing and he's been talking to them about it. I think that's really helped."
Joy in old age
Clarkson announced in June that he is in remission. Speaking to The Times, he said he has no plans to give up alcohol despite being advised to adjust his diet to less fat and more protein.
"Sure, I can eat less and more healthily. I can become a herbivore. And yes, I can go for 20-mile hikes and do 20,000 steps a day. But the truth is, there has to be some joy in life as well," he said.
"And not drinking and not eating a pork chop means that there is less joy in life — and I haven't worked my a*** off for 40 years to have no joy in my old age. So, I'm having joy in my old age."
He added that he was unwell for a "short period of time" but is now doing much better, finding more pleasure in small things like daffodils and leaves starting to curl out.
