Jeremy Clarkson says his instinct for judging cars remains firmly intact, even as he jokes about having “stiff” arteries and a “fatty” liver. While his farming life has dominated recent years, the Clarkson’s Farm star has returned to familiar ground with a motoring review of the luxury Bentley Continental GT S.
The update comes after a difficult spell for Clarkson’s health. In June, he shared that he was in remission from prostate cancer. He also had heart surgery in 2024 following worrying symptoms, including pins and needles and chest tightness, with doctors warning that blocked arteries had left him at risk of a heart attack.
Despite those setbacks, Clarkson is adamant his motoring judgement has not been dulled. In his latest car review, which also touched on the new electric Nissan Micra, he said his “mind is still sharp” and suggested his old ability to read a car quickly has not deserted him.
Writing in The Sunday Times, Clarkson said he had discovered that he still had the touch, even if his body was not quite as cooperative as it once was. He noted that while his arteries and liver may be showing signs of wear, his ability to work out what a car is really like remains unchanged.
He explained that after only a short drive in the new electric Nissan Micra, something about it immediately felt familiar. Clarkson said it reminded him strongly of the electric Renault 5 he had tested the previous summer.
After looking into it further once he returned home, Clarkson said his first impression had been correct. Although the two electric cars have different styling, he found that beneath the surface they are effectively the same.
Clarkson has previously linked his health scare to the intense pressure surrounding the launch of his Cotswolds pub, The Farmer’s Dog. He discussed the episode during the opening instalment of Clarkson’s Farm series five.
Speaking to co-star Kaleb Cooper, Clarkson said he had made it back and was “not dead,” adding that the Grim Reaper would have to wait — though he admitted the situation had come alarmingly close.
In other news, Clarkson recently shed light on some of the “unpleasant” jobs he has to tackle at his Diddly Squat Farm. He also revealed there are some tasks “you don’t get paid for”.
He wrote in the Sun: “Some jobs on the farm are unpleasant. Sexing rabbits is annoyingly difficult, and disposing of dead piglets is heartbreaking.”
Yet Clarkson remains dedicated to his new profession, noting that there is ” nowhere you’d rather be”, but he did hit out at one particular issue he claims involves a “strange hatred”.
He added: “Thanks to the hot summer and this government’s strange hatred of farmers, you don’t actually get paid for the wheat and the barley you’ve harvested.
“In fact, I worked out this morning that it’d be cheaper to go on an expensive holiday.”
