Jeremy Clarkson has opened up about his co-star Gerald Cooper’s cancer story in an emotional new video.
Earlier this year, fans of Prime Video’s hit series Clarkson’s Farm were left devastated after learning that fan favourite farmhand Gerald had received a prostate cancer diagnosis.
Clarkson broke the news during the second episode of the third series, before he and fellow farmer Kaleb Cooper were seen discussing the diagnosis, while taking over Gerald’s job of repairing the farm’s drystone walls.
“It’s scaring him to death,” Clarkson said at the time.
“I know he doesn’t understand and he’s bewildered because, for obvious reasons someone said ‘look I’m sorry it’s cancer’ and that’s all he heard.
“He’s desperately upset. Terrified, the poor man.”
Fortunately, Gerald’s cancer appears to have responded to treatment, with Clarkson issuing a reassuring update on his co-star’s health back in August.
“He’s doing really well. Such a relief,” he wrote on X, after a fan asked for an update on his condition.
The TV presenter has now spoken out again about Gerald’s cancer journey to raise awareness for Prostate Cancer UK, a charity that aims to raise awareness about the disease, which affects one in eight men throughout their lives.
Clarkson started the message on a light-hearted note, revealing that Gerald was keen to speak to the camera’s himself – a move which the presenter feared may lead to the message to be lost in translation due to his thick West Country accent.
“Gerald is very keen to deliver this message about the importance of supporting Prostate Cancer UK,” Clarkson said. “But I thought it would be better if the message was going to be coherent… so I’ll speak on his behalf.”
Clarkson then went on to answer a series of questions about the topic, including the ‘horrific’ moment Gerald learnt about his diagnosis.
“All cancer diagnoses are just horrendous,” he said. “I can remember sitting up on the other side of the farm getting the news. I knew he was poorly [but] I didn’t know it was cancer.”
The presenter also touched on the ‘huge’ amount of support which Gerald received throughout his treatment journey, as well as revealing just how important the farmhand is to the day-to-day running of Diddly Squat.
“This place wouldn’t even be a tenth of the place it is now without him knocking about,” he said.
Clarkson also touched on his reaction to learning the 74-year-old had received the all-clear earlier this year, adding: “We wanted to go to the pub to celebrate.
“But he couldn’t drink.”
