Jeremy Clarkson has disclosed that he has been diagnosed with cancer, making the revelation during the final two episodes of season five of his show, Clarkson's Farm. The former Top Gear host shared that he had 10% of his prostate removed.
Clarkson Opens Up to Friends
During filming, Clarkson was direct with his farmer friends about his health. "I've got cancer," he said in the season five finale, now streaming on Amazon Prime. A shocked Kaleb responded, "No, you haven't. Where?" But Clarkson dismissed further questions, stating, "Where it is of no concern to anybody. I've known since May." He added that the cancer is "aggressive" but was caught "really early."
Clarkson explained, "I had a medical, you remember, back in May. I disappeared off the other week and I had a biopsy and it is cancer... 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."
Surgery and Recovery
After returning from surgery later in the episode, Clarkson told Kaleb that he had "10 per cent" of his prostate removed via ultrasound. "The prostate, 10 per cent of its dead. The 10 per cent where the cancer is," he said. The 66-year-old admitted that while he might be "fine standing up" after surgery, sitting on a tractor was a different story.
Later in the programme, Clarkson's health came up again during a chat with girlfriend Lisa, Gerald, Kaleb, and Charlie. The Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? host recounted the last tough year, calling the past 12 months "horrible." He said, "So we started the year, and I had coronary heart disease, and ended it with me having cancer."
Uncertain Ending
Kaleb asked, "When will we know if the treatments worked?" Clarkson admitted he wasn't sure but was awaiting test results. "I don't know, I've got a blood test today," he replied, adding, "Not for another few weeks. Come on cheer up, it probably did work."
The season wrapped on an uncertain note, with an image of Clarkson in a hospital bed as he spoke directly to viewers. "So we started season five with me in a hospital bed, and we are at the end of season five, and I'm back in a hospital bed," he said. "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 signed off with dark humour, telling fans, "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."
