Jeremy Clarkson says he's 'cheated death twice' as he opens up on cancer diagnosis for first time
Jeremy Clarkson has opened up about his prostate cancer for the first time, calling himself 'the world’s luckiest man'.
The presenter revealed that he'd been diagnosed with an 'aggressive' form of the disease in the season five finale of Clarkson's Farm, revealing to viewers that his cancer had been caught early and that he would undergo further treatment.
Speaking out for the first time since the episode aired, Clarkson has addressed his diagnosis in a new interview with The Times, saying: "I've cheated death twice... I am, without a doubt, officially, the world's luckiest man."
Season five marked a difficult season for the presenter health-wise, with the episodes bookended by various health complications.
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The season started with Clarkson receiving treatment in hospital for a suspected heart attack, in which he later learned he was 'days away from death', and ended with the cancer news.
Prior to the final episode airing, Clarkson had warned viewers on social media that it would be a difficult watch. The episode then ended with the 66-year-old presenter sitting in a hospital bed, concerned about what his future would hold.
"I don’t know what’s going to happen," he said in the emotional moment.
"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."
Fortunately, the tumour was able to be treated with a HIFU [high-intensity focused ultrasound], meaning that as of now, Clarkson is currently in remission.
What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
The most common form of cancer diagnosed in men, with Cancer Research UK revealing that 57,898 cases are diagnosed each year, prostate cancer can often be difficult to notice in the early stages.
According to guidance from the NHS, this is because the cancerous growth develops on the outer part of the prostate and does not cause symptoms until it has grown.
Some of the early stages of the disease you can look out for, are:
- Finding it difficult to start peeing or straining to pee
- Having a weak flow of urine
- 'Stop start' peeing
- Needing to pee urgently or often, or both
- Feeling like you still need to pee when you've just finished
- Peeing during the night
- Erectile dysfunction
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Lower back pain and losing weight without trying to
These symptoms can also indicate an enlarged prostate, a common non-cancer condition, with men experiencing any symptoms urged to contact their local GP.
Reflecting on the diagnosis, Clarkson revealed that it could have been a different outcome if the cancer had spread, before urging readers to get themselves checked for the disease.
"Please, please, please go and get checked," he said. "I did, and that’s why I’m sitting here talking to you 11 months down the line.
"I’ve seen so many people die of cancer. It doesn’t bear thinking about what it must be like to live knowing that an illness is going to kill you. It must be very, very, very distressing."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.
Topics: Jeremy Clarkson, Health, Cancer
Brenna Cooper