Jeremy Clarkson Says He’s ‘Doing Everything I Can toLive’ After Heart Surgery: ‘I’m Buying Time’
Television presenter Jeremy Clarkson has revealed that he is making sweeping lifestyle changes in the wake of a serious health scare that left him fearing for his life last year.
The 64-year-old broadcaster, best known for fronting Top Gear and The Grand Tour, underwent emergency heart surgery after doctors discovered severe blockages in his arteries. Surgeons fitted two stents to improve blood flow, and the ordeal left Clarkson confronting his own mortality.
Speaking candidly in a recent column, Clarkson admitted that he had experienced a “sudden deterioration” in his health before surgery — a period he described as one of the most frightening of his life. “I feared I was days from death,” he wrote. “Now, I’m doing everything I can not to die.”
A Wake-Up Call
The experience has prompted the famously outspoken presenter to reassess his approach to health, fitness, and ageing. Clarkson, who has long been open about his fondness for cigars, rich food, and alcohol, said that his near-death experience has motivated him to take better care of himself — particularly for the sake of his growing family.
“I’ve got two grandchildren now,” he shared. “And I have decided that it is so wonderful that I want it to go on for as long as is humanly possible. Which means I must do everything in my power to not die.”
The revelation marks a stark change in tone for the journalist and farmer, who has often joked about his unhealthy habits in the past. But this time, he seems serious.
‘Each Attempt Has Ended in Failure’
Clarkson admitted that his past attempts at improving his fitness have rarely lasted long. “Each attempt has ended in failure,” he confessed. “I don’t like discomfort, and I find gyms — and everyone in them — weird.”
Even simple activities like walking, he said, have never appealed to him. “Michelangelo’s David burns more calories than I do when I’m out and about,” he quipped. “So I continued to get fatter and more out of breath, and when you want to see your grandchildren grow up, that’s not good enough.”
Clarkson said that until recently, he had been relying on “luck” to stay alive. “But I’m in sniper’s alley right now,” he added, “and I have to work at dodging the bullets.”
A Surprising New Fitness Regime
Determined to change, Clarkson has now turned to an unexpected form of exercise: reformer Pilates — a low-impact workout that focuses on strength, flexibility, and core stability.
“I’m not unenjoying it,” he said with typical understatement. “I’m happy because it doesn’t feel like I’m actually working out.”
While Pilates might not seem the natural choice for a man who built his television career on high-octane car chases and roaring engines, Clarkson insists it’s helping him ease into a healthier lifestyle without the discomfort he’s always dreaded.
Looking Forward, Not Back
Clarkson’s new outlook on ageing is equally striking. “Two years ago, I saw old age as a wearisome tangle of tubes and knee replacement surgery,” he wrote. “Now, thanks to my grandchildren, I’m actively looking forward to it.”
The presenter added that while his new health regimen is both painful and expensive, it’s a worthwhile investment. “I’m buying time,” he said. “It hurts and it’s expensive. But it’s better than wasting your money on a new watch.”
A Cautionary Tale for His Generation
Clarkson’s health scare mirrors that of other celebrities who have faced life-threatening cardiac issues in recent years — including actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who recently spoke about his own “disastrous” third open-heart surgery and challenging recovery.
For Clarkson, the ordeal has served as both a warning and a turning point. Once known for his brash humour and rebellious disregard for rules, he now seems to have embraced a quieter, more reflective chapter of life — one focused on family, longevity, and gratitude.
“I used to think I was indestructible,” he wrote. “Now I know I’m not. But I still have time to do something about it — and I intend to.”