Tractors, Turmoil and Tumours: Jeremy Clarkson Controversy and His Battle with Cancer.

By: Ashleigh Mackintosh

On the 17^th of June 2026, world-renowned former Top Gear star, Jeremy Clarkson, announced his prostate cancer diagnosis. Fans were devastated when the thought arose that Season 6 of Clarkson’s Farm might be cancelled following his treatment. However, good news was recently announced:  Clarkson caught the cancer early and has successfully undergone treatment, confirming that the show will continue.

The Top Gear host, from 1988 to 2015 alongside his co-hosts and close friends Richard Hammond and James May, highlighted the effect of Lockdown globally through his farming series. Having already owned a farm, his manager quit, and because of the lockdown regulations, he had no choice but to continue where his manager had left off. Clarkson began Clarkson's Farm with no knowledge of the farming world, which adds to his dry-wit character in the series.

An Image of the Duchess of Sussex and Top Gun host Jeremy Clarkson- from Variety

His sarcastic persona was taken to the extreme when, in December 2022, he wrote a newspaper column for The Sun featuring Meghan Markle. In the piece, Clarkson wrote that he hated the Duchess of Sussex "on a cellular level" and fantasized about her being paraded naked through the streets while crowds threw excrement at her. This became the most complained-about article in the UK's Independent Press Standards Organisation. As demanded by his daughter, Clarkson was asked to make multiple public apologies.

An image of Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson, and James May during the era that made Top Gear- from Pinterest.

Clarkson is known to be a controversial figure. Recognised for his work on Top Gear, he was cancelled in 2015 after the BBC refused to renew his contract. This was due to Clarkson assaulting one of the show's producers, Oisin Tymon. Top Gear continued without Clarkson, soon after May, and Hammond left. Today, the show continues with new hosts; however, it has been remarked that it is not the same as the ‘Golden Age’. Top Gear was a symbol of friendship and having a good time through a passion for cars. In modern seasons, viewers have noticed that the spark of nostalgia is missing.

On November 18th 2016, Clarkson reunited the infamous trio with May and Hammond to create The Grand Tour on Amazon Prime. This differs from Top Gear, which looks at car specs; The Grand Tour tests cars on an endurance level. In a parallel way to Top Gear, The Grand Tour came to an end with the three hosts retiring. However, on the 4^th of September 2026, the host positions will be handed over to a new cast.

Article edited by: Munei Zoe Mbedzi