Jeremy Clarkson has opened up about the life changes he has embraced following his battle with aggressive prostate cancer, admitting his frightening health ordeal has given him a completely new perspective on life.
The 66-year-old Clarkson’s Farm star, who recently confirmed he is now in remission, said the experience has prompted him to slow down and focus on enjoying precious moments with his family.
Jeremy, who is a grandfather to three-year-old Arlo and 18-month-old Xanthe through his daughter Emily and son-in-law Alex Andrew, revealed that spending time with his grandchildren has become one of his biggest priorities.
Speaking to The Sunday Times, he said: “I really like seeing my grandchildren. I want to watch them grow up. I drive much more slowly. I’m a bit of a dawdler. I go for walks a lot. I have vegetarian food.”
The former Top Gear presenter secretly underwent high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment after doctors discovered a malignant tumour in his prostate last year. The diagnosis came just months after he had undergone emergency heart surgery, during which he was fitted with two life-saving stents.
Reflecting on the difficult period, Jeremy revealed that he suffered another terrifying setback after deciding to restart blood-thinning medication without consulting his doctors.
“Two or three weeks after the cancer operation, I thought I’d better put myself back on those blood thinners. Big mistake, huge. It [resulted in] a very big emergency in the middle of the night,” he explained.
He added: “I’m not even going to go into the treatment that was required as a result of that, because it was horrible. I didn’t ask a doctor, I just thought, ‘I’m sure it will be all right to go back on blood thinners’.”
After surviving two major health scares within less than a year, Jeremy described himself as incredibly fortunate.
“I am without a doubt, officially, the world’s luckiest man,” he said.
The TV star explained that doctors discovered the aggressive cancer after a routine health check revealed elevated prostate-specific antigen levels. Further tests confirmed the tumour, leading to treatment that successfully targeted the affected area while avoiding many of the common side effects associated with prostate cancer surgery.
Looking back, Jeremy admitted the disease could have become far more serious.
“It was an aggressive type of cancer. It could have spread, it could have gone into the pancreas… and that would have been trouble,” he said.
Now, the broadcaster is using his own experience to urge other men not to delay getting tested.
“This is why I have to say to everybody who’s reading this, please, please, please go and get checked,” he said.
“It’s not uncomfortable, it’s not undignified. And it’s a no-brainer. I did, and that’s why I’m sitting here talking to you 11 months down the line.”
Jeremy’s daughter Emily recently shared a touching photograph with her father ahead of Father’s Day, celebrating his recovery and supporting awareness efforts alongside Prostate Cancer UK.
Meanwhile, the presenter has also delighted fans by confirming that Clarkson’s Farm will return for a sixth season.
In a video shared online, Jeremy announced: “So, a bit of a year. But I am delighted to tell you that season 6 of Clarkson’s Farm is currently being filmed.”
“It’s in production. And that’s particularly good news for me because, well if you know, you know, and if you don’t know, you need to watch season five.”
The announcement came after the emotional fifth season ended with Jeremy lying in a hospital bed and uncertain about whether he would be able to return.
Thankfully, after a year marked by life-threatening health scares, the popular presenter is now looking ahead — and enjoying life at a slower pace with his growing family.
