The “Top Gear” host hinted in a social media post that he had “somber” news.The “Top Gear” host hinted in a social media post that he had “somber” news.
Television icon Jeremy Clarkson is battling cancer.
The “Top Gear” personality, 66, shared his diagnosis with prostate cancer during the final two episodes of “Clarkson’s Farm” Season 5.
During the episodes — which just dropped on Prime Video — Clarkson abruptly announces to Charlie Ireland and Kaleb Cooper, “I’ve got cancer.”
Kaleb then responds with disbelief, “No, you haven’t. Where?” to which Clarkson replies, “Where it is is of no concern of anybody. I’ve known since May.”
He then explains that when he “disappeared off the other week,” he’d gone to the doctor and “had a biopsy.” He said the cancer is “aggressive,” but noted “it’s really early.”
He adds, “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.”
An emotional Kaleb then tells Clarkson to “look after yourself” and “if you need anything just ring.”
Clarkson continues, saying, “Listen, I’m not daft, it’s going to be in about two weeks, maybe three. I’ll have to go and have an operation and then, the operation is in and out in no time, but your body’s out of action for a little while.”
He noted that he “wasn’t thrilled” with the news.
Prior to Clarkson driving away with girlfriend Lisa Hogan, Kaleb shook the reality star’s hand, telling him not to “worry about anything on the farm.”
Later, while chatting with Ireland, Kaleb, Hogan and Gerald Cooper, Clarkson laments, “So we started the year and I had coronary heart disease and ended it with me with cancer.”
He added that the team shouldn’t “dwell” on “all the bad things,” but to “focus on things that have happened that are good.”
When asked by Kaleb when they’d know if the treatments “worked,” Clarkson explains “there’ll be a blood test and then we’ll know.”
“Not for another few weeks,” he adds. “Come on cheer up, it probably did work.”
The series then shows Clarkson in a hospital bed noting that he “started Season 5 with me in a hospital bed and we are at the end of Season 5 and I’m back in a hospital bed.”
He also admits that he doesn’t “know what’s going to happen” after “some of the treatment” had “gone awry.”
“What I wanted to say was if this is all successful I’ll see you for Season 6, and if it isn’t, I won’t,” he explains. “Take care everyone.”
Prior to sharing the news, Clarkson hinted that the season wouldn’t be an easy one in a “somber” Instagram Reel. “They’re a difficult watch,” he said of the episodes. “They’re really, really difficult.”
Fans flooded to the comments thread with messages of support, with one person writing, “Please never stop showing us the farm. We love it ❤️.” Another chimed in, “But we love you for showing the good, the bad and the ugly side of it all ❤️.”
A third quipped, “Clarkson for Prime Minister.”
A rep for Clarkson was not immediately available for comment on Tuesday evening.
