It wasn’t a dramatic collapse or a Hollywood-style emergency that made Jeremy Clarkson rethink his lifestyle.
Instead, it was a quiet, creeping sense that something just wasn’t quite right.
A strange discomfort here, a twinge there—and suddenly, the former Top Gear presenter found himself in the hospital, just days away from what could have been a fatal outcome.
Let’s dive into what really happened, how he’s managing his health now, and why he’s swapping wine and cheese for celery and pickleball.
It Started with a Belly Flop in the Seychelles
Jeremy was on holiday in the Seychelles, doing what he loves—diving off a boat into the ocean.
At 65, he likes to make the most of each adventure, especially since, as he put it, “you never know when your last dive will be.”
But this time, his signature leap turned into a full-on belly flop.
Not only was it painful, but it also served as a rude awakening.
As he struggled back to the beach with lungs full of seawater, he realized: his body was no longer able to keep up with his brain’s daring ideas.
That moment planted the seed of concern.
Back Home, the Symptoms Got Scarier
When he returned to his Oxfordshire home in Chadlington, the warning signs escalated.
He began to feel clammy, experienced chest tightness, and noticed pins and needles in his left arm—classic red flags.
It was enough to rush him to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.
There, doctors quickly ran tests and discovered that two of the arteries feeding his heart were either fully or nearly blocked.
Jeremy was not just feeling off—he was in a life-threatening condition.
A Two-Hour Procedure That Saved His Life
Doctors decided to fit two stents—tiny mesh tubes used to keep the arteries open and blood flowing.
The procedure itself wasn’t painful, according to Jeremy. In fact, he described it as “just odd.”
But what really stuck with him was the reality: he had been “days from death.”
Reflecting on it afterward, he admitted: “Crikey, that was close.”
Out with Sausages, In with Steak—Without the Sauce
Following his surgery, doctors gave Jeremy a serious talk about changing his diet.
Gone were the days of rich, creamy sauces and highly processed meals.
He’s now on what’s called a “mono diet”—essentially, foods with just one ingredient.
For Jeremy, that means sticking to simple, hearty things like plain steak or eggs—often sourced straight from his own farm.
Supermarket lasagna? That’s firmly off the menu.
Pickleball and Celery Replaced His Old Habits
In a bid to stay active and avoid another scare, Jeremy has taken up pickleball—a lower-impact sport that helps him keep moving without overexerting himself.
He’s also turned to munching celery as part of his routine.
It might not sound glamorous, but according to Jeremy, he’s genuinely feeling better.
While filming an episode of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?”, he even joked about his health app’s new habits:
“You are eating far fewer sausages.” His reply? “I just sit here and eat celery.”
From Ozempic to Mounjaro—Finding What Works
Like many people looking for help managing appetite and weight, Jeremy tried Ozempic but found it didn’t suit him.
He later switched to Mounjaro, another medication designed to reduce hunger and help with weight loss.
This one, he says, is working better, curbing his old habits of binge eating.
The Moment He Knew Something Was Seriously Wrong
Looking back, Jeremy realized there had been earlier warning signs.
At one point, while loading pigs onto what he jokingly called a “slaughterhouse school bus,” he felt that same uncomfortable tingling in his arm.
It was a telltale sign that his body was under stress.
Despite the scare, Jeremy kept his humor intact.
After being told to rest, he quipped, “I just have to not do any manual labor or dishwasher emptying for the next four years.
At least I think that’s what the doctor said.”
Not a Heart Attack—But Still Dangerously Close
Initial tests ruled out a heart attack, but further investigation confirmed the artery blockages.
The doctors were clear—this wasn’t something that could wait.
He underwent the stent procedure right away to prevent further damage or worse.
Growing Old Isn’t Easy—But Jeremy’s Facing It Head-On
Jeremy acknowledged that getting older comes with its fair share of challenges.
He called it “the wearisome effects of growing old” and admitted that his health scare was a wake-up call.
But instead of ignoring it, he’s choosing to take control—changing how he eats, how he moves, and how he lives.
A Close Call That Changed Everything
For someone known for living life at full throttle, Jeremy Clarkson’s health scare forced him to pump the brakes.
But in true Clarkson fashion, he’s finding a way to approach his new lifestyle with humor, practicality, and just a little bit of steak.