Diddly Squat farmer and television presenter Jeremy Clarkson has revealed he is undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, with the diagnosis disclosed during the final episode of the latest series of Clarkson's Farm.
The 66-year-old shared the news with farm manager Kaleb Cooper and land agent Charlie Ireland during an emotional conversation filmed for episode seven of the show's fifth season.
While Clarkson did not disclose the exact stage of the disease, he described the cancer as 'aggressive' but said it had been detected early.
“I disappeared off the other week and I had a biopsy, and it is cancer, and it's aggressive, but it's really early,” he said.
Clarkson told his colleagues he had known about the diagnosis 'since May' and sought to reassure them about his prognosis.
“I promise I'll be fine,” he said, explaining he would be away from the farm “for a little while” during treatment.
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Both Cooper and Ireland expressed their support, with Cooper urging him to 'look after yourself', while Ireland added: “I wish you a very speedy recovery.”
In a later conversation with Cooper, Clarkson confirmed the cancer was located in his prostate and that surgery to remove part of the gland had already taken place.
“The prostate, 10% of it is dead, the 10% where the cancer is,” he said.
Clarkson also spoke about the operation with fellow Diddly Squat regular Gerald Cooper, telling him: “I had the op, and just fingers crossed it's worked, we don't know yet.”
The series concludes with Clarkson recovering in hospital following further treatment.
“We started season five with me in a hospital bed, and here we are at the end of season five and I'm back in the hospital bed,” he said.
“Some of the treatment's gone a bit awry, let's say, so I'm going to be here for a little while. I'm nil by mouth, I don't know what's going to happen.”
Reflecting on the uncertainty surrounding his recovery, Clarkson added: “But if this is all successful, I'll see you for season six, and if it isn't, I won’t.”
He concluded with a message to viewers: “Take care everyone.”
Ahead of the final episodes being released, Clarkson warned followers on social media that they would be a 'difficult watch'.
The announcement comes after Clarkson has spent recent years highlighting the realities and challenges of farming through Clarkson's Farm, which has helped bring agricultural issues to a wider public audience and attracted new interest in the industry.
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