Jeremy Clarkson has confirmed he has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Here’s what to know about the disease and the symptoms that can signal a problem.
In June last year, Jeremy Clarkson urged men not to skip routine prostate checks.
“I’ve had too many friends go down with prostate cancer, and all it takes to get on top of the situation early is a moment or two of being a bit cross-eyed,” the host of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire wrote in a June 2025 column for The Sunday Times. “You get the all-clear and the doc goes home happy. What’s not to like?”
Now, the 66-year-old has revealed that a checkup of his own led doctors to discover an “aggressive” form of prostate cancer at an early stage.
“If I hadn’t have got myself checked out and they hadn’t caught the problem early, this could well have been my last harvest,” he said in the final episode of the latest season of Clarkson’s Farm.
“It’s only because they did catch it early, there’s every hope that I’ll be harvesting this farm for many, many years to come.”
“I don’t know what’s going to happen”
By the end of season five, he was shown recovering in a hospital bed.
“I’m going to be here for a little while. I don’t know what’s going to happen,” he said on the show.
“So, we started season five in a hospital bed and here we are at the end of season five, I’m back in a hospital bed. Some of the treatment has gone awry, let’s say. I’ll probably be here for a little while.”
“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,” he added.
How common is prostate cancer?
According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. Most cases occur in men over the age of 65, while diagnoses in men younger than 40 are rare.
The prostate is a small gland that surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. Prostate cancer develops when abnormal cells form a tumor within the gland.
In many cases, the cancer begins in areas of the prostate located farther away from the urethra. Because of this, the disease often causes no noticeable symptoms in its early stages.
The progression of prostate cancer varies significantly from person to person. In some men, the tumor grows very slowly and may take years to spread. In others, the disease can progress much more rapidly. Early on, however, most men experience no symptoms at all.
“Prostate cancer may not cause symptoms at first. Most prostate cancers are found at an early stage. This means that the cancer is only in the prostate. An early-stage prostate cancer often doesn’t cause symptoms,” according to the Mayo Clinic.
Symptoms of prostate cancer
It’s important for men to be aware of their prostate health and to recognize the early symptoms that can sometimes signal a problem. Detecting the disease early can improve the chances of successful treatment.
Today, several effective diagnostic tools and treatment options are available for prostate cancer. Evaluation typically begins with a blood test. If the results suggest an increased risk of prostate cancer, a doctor may perform a physical examination of the prostate. Additional testing often includes an MRI scan and a biopsy, in which a small tissue sample is collected and analyzed. In some cases, further tests, such as a PET scan or a bone scan, may also be recommended.
According to the American Cancer Society, early prostate cancer may cause:
- Problems urinating, including a slow or weak urinary stream
- Needing to urinate more often, especially at night
- Blood in the urine or semen
More advanced prostate cancer can also cause:
- Trouble getting an erection (erectile dysfunction)
- Pain in the hips, back, chest or other areas if the cancer has spread
- Weakness or numbness in the legs or feet
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Unexplained weight loss
- Extreme fatigue
Jeremy Clarkson has cancer
Following Jeremy Clarkson’s revelation, Prostate Cancer UK thanked Clarkson for sharing his experience publicly, saying his story could raise “vital awareness.”
“Thankfully he found the disease at an early stage, but sadly this is still not the experience of many men across the UK,” the charity wrote in a statement shared on Facebook. “Over 10,000 dads, brothers, sons and friends are diagnosed too late for a cure every year.”
This article is not intended as medical advice. If you have questions about your health, or suspect you may be ill, consult a qualified healthcare professional.
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