Jeremy Clarkson has spoken about his prostate cancer diagnosis, describing it as an "annoying" experience that doctors were able to treat quickly. The comments came as his Prime Video show, Clarkson's Farm, won the award for Best Reality Docuseries at the National Television Awards.
Clarkson, 66, said he was fortunate to live in an era where medical treatments are effective and swift. He noted that he only took two weeks off from his farming duties during his treatment. "I had a heart thing and I had a bit of cancer, but we're very lucky to live at a time when the doctors can mend you very quickly and easily, and I wasn't away really," Clarkson stated.
His prostate cancer diagnosis followed a routine medical examination in May of the previous year. Elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in a blood test led to further scans and a biopsy.
The television presenter revealed that he underwent high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment to target the tumor privately before making his diagnosis public. He shared his motivation for returning to public life and his on-screen work, including a desire to witness his grandchildren grow up. This personal motivation has led to lifestyle changes, such as driving more slowly, taking more walks, and adopting a vegetarian diet.
Clarkson disclosed his health battle during the fifth series of Clarkson's Farm, explaining that he shared the details because his treatment schedule would impact filming. An episode showed him in a hospital bed, a situation he revealed was the result of restarting blood-thinning medication for a heart condition without consulting his doctors, which led to an emergency hospital visit.