Clarkson urges men to ‘get checked’ after cancer diagnosis

Jeremy Clarkson has revealed he is in remission from prostate cancer and urged others not to ignore routine checks after his diagnosis was caught early.

The broadcaster and Diddly Squat farmer disclosed the diagnosis in the finale of Amazon Prime’s series 5 of Clarkson’s Farm, where he revealed he had been diagnosed with an “aggressive” form of the disease but that it had been found at an early stage.

Speaking after revealing his condition, Mr Clarkson said he was “officially, the world’s luckiest man” after tests showed no current signs of cancer, while stressing the importance of getting checked.

See also: Farm Doctor: Let’s talk about prostate and testicular cancer

The 66-year-old said his diagnosis came after a routine check-up, with further tests confirming the cancer. He has since undergone treatment and continues to have monitoring checks.

Mr Clarkson had previously warned people not to put off medical checks, saying his experience showed the importance of early detection.

In his Sunday Times column, he described the importance of acting on health concerns and urged people not to assume serious illnesses will simply go away.

The diagnosis was filmed as part of Clarkson’s Farm, with Mr Clarkson telling colleagues Kaleb Cooper and Charlie Ireland the news during a highly emotional scene.

At the end of the final episode, he appeared in a hospital bed while awaiting treatment, raising uncertainty over whether he would continue farming and filming a sixth series.

But over the weekend, Mr Clarkson confirmed on his Instagram account that series six of Clarkson’s Farm is in production, adding that “it is particularly good news for me”.  

His public disclosure has prompted renewed discussion around prostate cancer awareness, with charities highlighting the impact of high-profile figures encouraging men to seek medical advice.

Mr Clarkson, who has won widespread acclaim in recent years for bringing the realities of farming to a mainstream audience through his 400ha Diddly Squat Farm in Chadlington, Oxfordshire, said the experience reinforced the importance of men taking health checks seriously.

He stressed that early detection could make a crucial difference – and men should not wait until symptoms appear before seeking advice.

UFU plea

The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has praised Mr Clarkson for speaking out about his prostate cancer diagnosis. It too has urged farmers to get tested.

While many men display no symptoms in the early stages, the UFU said potential warning signs can include changes in urination, difficulty emptying the bladder, needing to urinate more frequently, blood in urine, erectile difficulties or persistent pain in the lower back and hips.

UFU president John McLenaghan said farmers were often guilty of putting things off.

But he added: “Early detection can save lives. Speak to your GP.”