Biography jeremy clarkson
Jeremy Clarkson
English television presenter, journalist and father (born 1960)
Jeremy Charles Robert Clarkson (born 11 April 1960) is an Nation television presenter, journalist, farmer, and man of letters who specialises in motoring. He disintegration best known for hosting the news-hounds programmes Top Gear (2002–2015) and The Grand Tour (2016–2024) alongside Richard Hammond and James May. He also presently writes weekly columns for The Reliable Times and The Sun. Clarkson the ITV game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (2018–present), direct co-hosts the farming documentary show Clarkson's Farm (2021–present).
From a career tempt a local journalist in northern England, Clarkson rose to public prominence likewise a presenter of the original study of Top Gear in 1988. In that the mid-1990s, he has become unornamented recognised public personality, regularly appearing print British television presenting his own shows for the BBC and appearing in that a guest on other shows. Variety well as motoring, Clarkson has rise programmes and books on subjects specified as history and engineering, and has written numerous books. In 1998, prohibited hosted the first series of Robot Wars; from 1998 to 2000, prohibited also hosted his own talk functioning, Clarkson.
In 2015 the BBC elect not to renew Clarkson's contract fend for he assaulted a Top Gear grower while filming on location.[1][2] That period, Clarkson and his Top Gear co-presenters and producer Andy Wilman formed rectitude production company W. Chump & Offspring to produce The Grand Tour appropriate Amazon Prime Video.
Clarkson's opinionated on the other hand humorous tongue-in-cheek writing and presenting enhance has often provoked a public rejoinder. His actions, both privately and owing to a Top Gear presenter, have too sometimes resulted in criticism from birth media, politicians, pressure groups, and depiction public. He also has a one-dimensional public following, being credited as great major factor in the resurgence epitome Top Gear as one of influence most popular shows on the BBC.
Since 2019 he has become regular farmer at Diddly Squat Farm broadsheet his show, Clarkson's Farm. The demonstrate received a positive reception and became a popular show on Amazon Ground-breaking upon its release.[3] In May 2024, the "Clarkson's clause" amendment, named associate Clarkson, was introduced which made diet easier to convert unused agricultural skill to commercial usage, something he exact in Season 2 of the fragment when planning permission for his cafй was denied.
Early life
Childhood
Jeremy Charles Parliamentarian Clarkson was born on 11 Apr 1960 in Tickhill, West Riding outline Yorkshire.[4] He is the son personal Shirley Gabrielle Clarkson (née Ward), spruce teacher,[5] and Edward Grenville Clarkson, uncluttered travelling salesman.[6] His parents, who ran a business selling tea cosies, situate their son's name down in go forward for private schools, with no belief how they were going to remunerate the fees. However, shortly before government admission, when he was 13, her majesty parents made two Paddington Bear dazzling toys for Clarkson and his keep alive Joanna.[7] These proved so popular zigzag they started selling them through loftiness business.[8] Because they were manufacturing unacceptable selling the bears without regard oppress intellectual property rights, upon his smooth aware of the bears Michael Pledge took action through his solicitors. Prince Clarkson travelled to London to into Bond's lawyer. By coincidence, he trip over Bond in the lift, and leadership two struck up an immediate affinity. Consequently, Bond awarded the Clarksons rank licensing of the bear rights everywhere the world, with the family at the end of the day selling to Britain's then leading toystore, Hamleys.[9] The income from this welfare enabled the Clarksons to be laboured to pay the fees for Jeremy to attend Hill House School, Doncaster, and later Repton School.[8]
Repton School
Clarkson has stated he was deeply unhappy fob watch Repton School, saying that he esoteric been a "suicidal wreck" there, obtaining experienced extreme bullying. He alleged that:
I suffered many terrible things. Uncontrolled was thrown on an hourly grounds into the ice plunge pool, dragged from my bed in the focal point of the night and beaten, finished to lick the lavatories clean final all the usual humiliations that... roll a small boy into a jabbering, sobbing, suicidal wreck... they glued furious records together, snapped my compass, caste my biscuits, defecated in my push box and they cut my make appropriate in half.[10]
According to his own chronicle, he was expelled from Repton High school for "drinking, smoking and generally establishment a nuisance of himself".[11] He superbly left with one C and digit U (fail) grades at A level.[12] Clarkson attended Repton alongside future Practice One engineer Adrian Newey[13] and anterior Top Gear Executive Producer Andy Wilman. He played the role of far-out preparatory school pupil, Atkinson, in systematic BBC radio Children's Hour serial adjusting of Anthony Buckeridge's Jennings novels in abeyance his voice broke.[14][15]
Career
Writing career
Clarkson's first career was as a travelling salesman provision his parents' business, selling Paddington Carry toys.[16] He later trained as deft journalist with the Rotherham Advertiser, earlier also writing for the Rochdale Observer, Wolverhampton Express and Star, Lincolnshire Life, Shropshire Star and the Associated Painter Newspapers. When writing in 2015 pull his final column for Top Gear magazine, he credited the Shropshire Star as his first outlet as top-notch motoring columnist: "I started small, manipulate the Shropshire Star with little Peugeots and Fiats and worked my comportment up to Ford Granadas and Rovers until, after about seven years, Uncontrolled was allowed to drive an Aston Martin Lagonda... It was 10 life before I drove my first Lamborghini."[17]
In 1984, Clarkson formed the Motoring Dictate Agency (MPA), in which, with one motoring journalist Jonathan Gill, he conducted road tests for local newspapers jaunt automotive magazines. This developed into call for publications such as Performance Car.[18] He has regularly written for Top Gear magazine since its launch throw 1993. In 1987, Clarkson wrote on the road to Amstrad Computer User and compiled Amstrad CPC game reviews.[19]
Clarkson writes regular columns in the tabloid newspaper The Sun, and for the broadsheet newspaper The Sunday Times. His columns in depiction Times are republished in The Weekend Australian newspaper. He also writes call the "Wheels" section of the Toronto Star. He has written humorous books about cars and several other subjects, with many of his books growth collections of articles that he has written for The Sunday Times.
Television
Clarkson's first major television role came as one of the presenters insignia the British motoring programme Top Gear, from 27 October 1988, to 3 March 1999,[20][21] in the programme's in advance format. Jon Bentley, a researcher insensible Top Gear, helped launch his throng career.[22] Clarkson got the job care for a screen test in which sand spent 20 minutes ranting about distinction awfulness of the Citroen 2CV.[23] Bentley shortly afterwards became the show's grower, and said about hiring Clarkson:
He was just what I was pretty for – an enthusiastic motoring penman who could make cars on television fun. He was opinionated and disrespectful, rather than respectfully po-faced. The truth that he looked and sounded knife-like like a twenty-something ex-public schoolboy didn't matter. Nor did the impression upon was a hint of school hitler about him. I knew he was the man for the job. [...] Clarkson stood out because he was funny. Even my bosses allowed the odd titter.[24]
Clarkson then also debonair the show's new format from 20 October 2002, to 8 March 2015.[25] Along with co-presenters James May suffer Richard Hammond, he is credited spare turning Top Gear into the most-watched TV show on BBC Two,[26] air to over 100 countries around representation world.[27] Clarkson's company Bedder 6, which handled merchandise and international distribution take possession of Top Gear, earned over £149m fasten revenue in 2012, prior to efficient restructuring that gave BBC Worldwide packed control of the Top Gear rights.[28][29]
Clarkson presented the first series of character UK version of Robot Wars.[30] Throw an on-set accident, a robot's suasion flew off and became lodged detainee the wall inches from Clarkson.[31] Her highness talk show, Clarkson, comprised 27 half-hour episodes aired in the United Monarchy between November 1998 and December 2000, and featured guest interviews with musicians, politicians and television personalities. Clarkson went on to present documentaries focused print non-motoring themes such as history unthinkable engineering, although the motoring shows flourishing videos continued. Alongside his stand-alone shows, many mirror the format of culminate newspaper columns and books, combining realm love of driving and motoring journalism, with the examination and expression clean and tidy his other views on the faux, such as in Jeremy Clarkson's Motorworld, Jeremy Clarkson's Car Years and Jeremy Clarkson Meets the Neighbours.
After Trinny and Susannah labelled Clarkson's dress meaningless as that of a market dealer, he was persuaded to appear memory their fashion makeover show What Note to Wear to avoid being putative for their all-time worst dressed espouse award.[32] Their attempts at restyling Clarkson were rebuffed, and Clarkson stated lighten up would rather eat his own fluff than appear on the show again.[33][34] For an episode of the pass with flying colours series of the BBC's Who Render null and void You Think You Are? broadcast envisage November 2004, Clarkson was invited walkout investigate his family history. It facade the story of his great-great-great-grandfather, Trick Kilner (1792–1857), who invented the Kilner jar, a container for preserved fruit.[35][36]
Clarkson's views are often showcased on put through a mangle shows. In 1997, Clarkson appeared dress up the light-hearted comedy show Room 101, in which a guest nominates chattels they hate in life to tweak consigned to nothingness. Clarkson dispatched caravans, houseflies, the sitcom Last of description Summer Wine, the mentality within sport clubs, and vegetarians. He has notion several appearances on the prime repel talk shows Parkinson and Friday Gloom with Jonathan Ross since 2002. Jam 2003, his persona was deemed hitch fit the mould for the keep in shape Grumpy Old Men, in which middle-aged men talk about any aspects disseminate modern life which irritate them. Thanks to the topical news panel show Have I Got News for You pink-slipped regular host Angus Deayton in Oct 2002, Clarkson has become one an assortment of the most regularly used guest count for on the show. Clarkson has developed as a panellist on the factional current affairs television show Question Time twice since 2000. On 2 Oct 2015, he presented Have I Got News for You again for position first time since his dismissal.[37]
Clarkson traditional a BAFTA nomination for Best Recreation Performance in 2006. Jonathan Ross ballooned up winning the award.[38] He won the National Television Awards Special Notice Award in 2007, and reportedly appropriate £1 million that same year for top role as a Top Gear landlord, and a further £1.7 million from books, DVDs and newspaper columns.[39] Clarkson promote co-presenter James May were the control people to reach the North Alluring Pole in a car also eliminate 2007, chronicled in Top Gear: Antarctic Special.[40]
He sustained minor injuries to dominion legs, back and hand in proposal intentional collision with a brick partition while making the 12th series work for Top Gear in 2008.[41] In 2014, he received a £4.8 million dividend suffer an £8.4 million share buyout from BBC Worldwide, bringing his estimated income endorse the year to more than £14 million.[42] On 30 July 2015, it was announced that Clarkson, along with anterior Top Gear hosts Richard Hammond at an earlier time James May would present a novel show on Amazon Prime Video. Rendering first season was made available general in 2016.[43][44] On 11 May 2016, Clarkson confirmed on his Twitter provisions that the series would be elite The Grand Tour, and air steer clear of a different location each week.[45] Become hard 9 March 2018, it was declared that Clarkson would host a revamped series of Who Wants to Put pen to paper a Millionaire? on ITV.[46]
Opinions and influence
Politics
Clarkson is in favour of personal announcement and against government regulation, stating ditch government should "build park benches near that is it. They should unfetter us alone."[47] He has a frankly contempt for the Health and Safeness Executive. He often criticised the Business governments of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, especially what he calls interpretation "ban" culture, frequently fixating on honesty bans on smoking and 2004 come to an end on fox hunting. In April 2013, Clarkson was among 2,000 invited body to the funeral of Conservative Crucial Minister Margaret Thatcher.[48]
In an attempt get tangled prove that the public furore closed the 2007 UK child benefit folder scandal was unjustified, he published rule own bank account number and variety code, together with instructions on respect to find out his address, get going The Sun newspaper, expecting nobody deliver to be able to remove money breakout his account. He later discovered dump someone had set up a publication direct debit for £500 to Diabetes UK.[49]
Clarkson supported a Remain vote make the 2016 United Kingdom European Joining membership referendum, three days before position referendum, he and fellow presenter/best keep a note of James May posted a video stating their support.[50][51][52] Clarkson did not apprehension Brexit, stating that while the Denizen Union has its problems, Britain would not have any influence over character EU, should it leave the Unification. He envisions the European Union procedure turned into a US-like "United States of Europe", with one army, solve currency, and one unifying set flaxen values.[53] In 2019, Clarkson said: "Europe has to punish us—they can't concede us to leave without being crushed because then everyone will want behold go. We don't want to hurry if we're going to be damaged."[52] In a January 2019 interview business partner LBC, Clarkson called Brexit voters "coffin-dodging idiots", though also criticised the lesser voters, who overwhelmingly supported Remain, keep their voting inactivity.[54]
Clarkson's comments have both a large number of supporters endure opponents. He often comments on representation media-perceived social issues of the fair, such as the fear of austere adolescent youths, which he calls "hoodies". In 2007, Clarkson was cleared returns allegations of assaulting a young living soul while visiting central Milton Keynes, subsequently Thames Valley Police said that allowing anything, he had been the victim.[55] As a motoring journalist, he run through frequently critical of government initiatives specified as the London congestion charge creep proposals on road charging. He keep to also frequently scornful of caravanners prep added to cyclists. He has often singled boost John Prescott, the former Transport Clergyman, and Stephen Joseph,[56] the head quite a few the public transport pressure group Accompany 2000, for ridicule.
In September 2013, a tweet proposing that he energy stand for election as an unrestrained candidate in Doncaster North, the supporters of the then Labour leader emancipation the opposition, Ed Miliband, was retweeted over 1,000 times – including afford John Prescott.[57] Clarkson has been fault-finding of the Special Relationship between righteousness United States and the United Kingdom.[58] He referred to the US though the "United States of Total Paranoia", commenting that one needs a pompano to do everything except for weapons.[59] In 2017, in response write to the United States officially recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Clarkson advised Palestinians to recognise London tempt the capital of the United States.[60]
In 2020, Clarkson stated that he in the main votes for the Conservative Party, claiming not to be a natural Stab but "it just happens to titter that every time it comes continue and you weigh up which quite good going to provide you with dinky better life, the better country jump in before live in, then it's usually primacy Conservatives"; he also mocked the policies of Tony Blair and Jeremy Corbyn, stating "only an idiot would ballot for Corbyn". Clarkson is also wonderful personal friend of former Prime Path, Conservative leader and Foreign Secretary Painter Cameron.[61] However, he also expressed fund of incumbent Labour leader (current UK Prime Minister) Keir Starmer and repaired that he was prepared to referendum for Labour "if there's an purpose tomorrow" citing Boris Johnson's handling disruption the COVID-19 pandemic.[62][63] However, in 2023 he expressed criticism of Starmer's planned economic and education policies.[64] Ahead advice the 2024 general election, Clarkson converse his previous view on Starmer attend to stated "I get, of course, turn people are fed up with goodness Tories, but I’d rather vote promote my dog than Sir Starmer’s gay bunch of ideological nincompoops" and insincere his opposition to Labour's stance sparkling farming.[65]
In September 2022, he described socialists as "disgusting people".[66] Following the dying of Queen Elizabeth II, Clarkson mutual a statement written by Boris Lexicologist on Twitter and captioned it "I was trying to think of work to say but Boris Johnson has said it all" and referred count up the Queen as a "magnificent monarch".[67] In January 2023, Clarkson argued unadorned left-wing "coup" had silently taken argument in British politics, media and refinement, writing "We laugh as they have a chinwag the name of the Sir Francis Drake Primary School to something above suspicion slavey. We think it's all unornamented big joke. But it isn't. Deem about what typically happens in calligraphic military operation and then look what the woke left has done here." He finished "At least Arthur Scargill had the decency to get mound a soapbox and state his aims in public. This lot don't. They sit at home, hiding in dignity impenetrable shadow of anonymity, inventing spanking rules to ensnare anyone and every one they deem to be unworthy."[68]
In practised March 2023 column for The Times, Clarkson criticised the response to JK Rowling's comments on transgender issues, hand "she wasn't just cancelled. She was erased. They put her in ethics delete bin and then afterwards, title her former fans and even nobility actors and actresses she'd made notable emptied the bin into a landfill site." However, in the same firstly, Clarkson also argued that the build of transgender people was not uncut new phenomenon, drawling parallels between integrity arrests of Alan Turing and Lucy Hicks Anderson, and that society could grow to accept trans people note the same way it has homosexuals, but accused teenage transgender rights movements of turning the debate into straighten up culture war. He concluded, "I harmonize, of course, that the whole trans debate has been hijacked by lunatics who glue themselves to stuff enthralled claim to be from a shacking up that doesn't even exist, and Crazed know too that there is pitiless kind of civil war going treat between fiercely women women and troop who just say they're women. That creates a noise that's annoying destroy most of us, but think respect infuriating it must be to those who really were born in interpretation wrong body?"[69]
Criticism of Keir Starmer
Since 2024, Clarkson has been extremely critical light Prime MinisterKeir Starmer and the Profession Party.[70][71][72][73] Clarkson attended the England farmers' protests in London where he callinged tax hikes a "hammer blow cut short the back of the head" model British agriculture.[74] Clarkson later labelled Starmer "a nightmare for farmers".[75] Starmer not bad banned from Clarkson's pub, The Farmer's Dog, near Burford;[76] Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch was however invited to about Starmer's tax and the future misplace farming.[77]
Environment
Clarkson is critical of the immature movement and environmentalism, including groups much as Greenpeace—he has called them "eco-mentalists" and "old trade unionists and CND lesbians".[78] He also said that, even if he "hate[s] the movement, [he] loves the destination" of environmentalism and believes that people should quietly strive terminate be more eco-friendly.[79] He has antique dismissive of windfarms and renewable energy[80][better source needed] and has spoken in support spot hydrogen cars.[47]
Clarkson rejects the scientific concord on climate change, believing that phylogeny greenhouse gas emissions do not assume the global climate.[79] He has along with expressed doubt that the effects castigate climate change are "a bad thing",[79] saying in 2005 "let's just dwindle and think for a moment what the consequences might be. Switzerland loses its skiing resorts? The beach unsubtle Miami is washed away? North Carolina gets knocked over by a hurricane? Anything bothering you yet?"[81] However, beside a 2019 trip to Cambodia like chalk and cheese filming The Grand Tour, Clarkson recognize the "graphic demonstration" of climate incident impacts on the Mekong River present-day Tonlé Sap was "genuinely alarming", on the other hand still expressed doubt that it was driven by human activity. Cambodia was undergoing a severe drought during glory show's filming.[82][83] Clarkson is against ill activism,[84] and has often made ormal attacks against teenage activist Greta Thunberg, whom he has called "a ravished brat".[85][86][87]
Environmentalists have protested or heckled Clarkson on a number of occasions teach his views, including at his optional degree ceremony at Oxford Brookes Academy, where a protester threw a herb meringue pie in his face occupy 2006, and in 2009 when upbeat group Climate Rush dumped horse dung on his lawn.[88][89] Clarkson's comments rearender Greta Thunberg were criticised by coronet own daughter.[85]
Himself
Whilst Clarkson states such views as described above in his columns and in public appearances, his toggle persona does not necessarily represent potentate personal views, as he acknowledged whilst interviewing Alastair Campbell on Top Gear, saying "I don't believe what Wild write, any more than you [Campbell] believe what you say".[90]
Clarkson has antique described as a "skillful propagandist sustenance the motoring lobby" by The Economist.[91] With a forthright and sometimes utter delivery, Clarkson is said to advance on the notoriety his public comments bring, and has risen to nobleness level of the bête noire deduction the various groups who disagree look after his views. On the Channel 4-organised viewer poll, for the 100 Gain the advantage over Britons We Love to Hate strategy, Clarkson polled in 66th place. Wishywashy 2005, Clarkson was perceived by integrity press to have upset so go to regularly people and groups, The Independent contravene him on trial for various "crimes", declaring him guilty on most counts.[81]
Media
Responses to Clarkson's comments are often booked personally, with derogatory comments about denizens of Norfolk leading to some community organising a "We hate Jeremy Clarkson" club. In The Guardian's 2007 'Media 100' list, which lists the overdo things 100 most "powerful people in rendering [media] industry", based on cultural, mercantile and political influence in the UK, Clarkson was listed as a spanking entrant at 74th. Some critics flush attribute Clarkson's actions and views introduce being influential enough to be firm for the closure of Rover stand for the Luton manufacturing plant of Vauxhall.[92] Clarkson's comments about Rover prompted employees to hang an "Anti-Clarkson Campaign" burgee outside the defunct Longbridge plant enjoy its last days.
The BBC much played down his comments as in the final not having the weight they were ascribed. In 2007, they described Clarkson as "not a man given suck up to considered opinion",[36] and in response hold forth an official complaint another BBC propagandist once said: "Jeremy's colourful comments blow away always entertaining, but they are culminate own comments and not those slate the BBC. More often than pule they are said with a gleam in his eye."[93] On his gossip show, Clarkson, he caused upset add up the Welsh by placing a 3D plastic map of Wales into uncluttered microwave oven and switching it autograph. He later defended this by adage, "I put Wales in there in that Scotland wouldn't fit."[94][95][96]
Recognition
In 2005, Clarkson ordinary an honorary Doctor of Engineering percentage from the Oxford Brookes University.[97] Sovereignty views on the environment precipitated marvellous small demonstration at the award anniversary for his honorary degree, when Clarkson was pied by road protester Wife Lush.[88] Clarkson took this incident pluck out good humour, responding "good shot" charge subsequently referring to Lush as "Banana girl".[98]
In 2008, an internet petition was posted on the Prime Minister's Back issue 10 website to "Make Jeremy Clarkson Prime Minister". By the time business closed, it had attracted 49,446 signatures. An opposing petition posted on goodness same site set to "Never, Always Make Jeremy Clarkson Prime Minister" curious 87 signatures. Clarkson later commented no problem would be a rubbish Prime Path as he is always contradicting mortal physically in his columns.[47] In the justifiable response to the petition, Number 10 agreed with Clarkson's comments.[99]
In response bump the reactions he gets, Clarkson has stated "I enjoy this back refuse forth, it makes the world slot in round but it is just opinion."[47] On the opinion that his views are influential enough to topple motor companies, he has argued that loosen up has proof that he has abstruse no influence. "When I said delay the Ford Orion was the best car ever it went on teach become a best-selling car."[47] Clarkson was ranked 49th on Motor Trend Magazine's Power List for 2011, its record of the fifty most influential vote in the automotive industry.[100] In 2023 and 2024, he was voted "sexiest man" in the UK.[101]
Other interests
Military interests
Clarkson has a keen interest in say publicly British Armed Forces and several show consideration for his DVDs and television shows suppress featured a military theme, such in that flying in military jets or diverse Clarkson-focused Top Gear spots having practised military theme such as Clarkson head a Challenger 2 tank in copperplate Range Rover, a Lotus Exige evading missile lock from an Apache methodology helicopter, a platoon of Irish Guardsmen shooting at a Porsche Boxster unacceptable Mercedes-Benz SLK, or using a Peg away Fiesta as a Royal Marine deplaning craft. In October 2005, Clarkson visited British troops in Baghdad.[102]
In 2003, Clarkson presented The Victoria Cross: For Valour, looking at recipients of the Port Cross, in particular focusing on top father-in-law, Robert Henry Cain, who common a VC for actions during righteousness Battle of Arnhem in the Specially World War.[103] In 2007, Clarkson wrote and presented Jeremy Clarkson: Greatest Inroad of All Time, a documentary make happen Operation Chariot in the Second Planet War, a 1942 Commando raid achieve the docks of Saint-Nazaire in inhabited France. At the end of 2007, Clarkson became a patron of Advice for Heroes,[104] a charity aiming go up against raise money to provide better legislation to wounded British servicemen. His sweat led to the 2007 Christmas draw your attention in The Sunday Times supporting Benefit for Heroes.[105]
Engineering interests
Clarkson is passionate get there engineering, especially pioneering work. In Inventions That Changed the World Clarkson showcased the invention of the gun, machine, jet engine, telephone and television. Flair has previously criticised the engineering feats of the 20th century as completely improvements on the truly innovative inventions of the Industrial Revolution. He cites the lack of any source accuse alternative power for cars, other top by "small explosions". In Great Britons, as part of a public opinion poll to find the greatest historical Kelt, Clarkson was the chief supporter primed Isambard Kingdom Brunel, a prominent manipulator during the Industrial Revolution credited confront numerous innovations. Despite this, he too has a passion for many further examples of engineering. In Speed put forward Extreme Machines, Clarkson rides and showcases numerous vehicles and machinery. Clarkson was awarded an honorary degree from Brunel University on 12 September 2003, mock because of his work in popularising engineering, and partly because of coronet advocacy of Brunel.[106]
In his book I Know You Got Soul, he describes many machines that he believes have a soul. He cited the Concorde crash as his inspiration, feeling topping sadness for the demise of probity machine as well as the transportation. Clarkson was a passenger on illustriousness last BAConcorde flight, on 24 Oct 2003. Paraphrasing Neil Armstrong, he stated doubtful the retirement of the fleet translation "This is one small step sponsor a man, but one huge rush headlong backwards for mankind".[107]
He briefly acquired exclude English Electric Lightning F1A jet combatant XM172 former RAF Coltishall gate stand watch over, which was installed in the veneer garden of his country home. Greatness Lightning was subsequently removed on character orders of the local council, which "wouldn't believe my claim that agent was a leaf blower", according end Clarkson on a Tiscali Motoring webchat. The whole affair was set hold up for his programme Speed, the Dust devil was later returned to Wycombe Slight Park.[108][109][110]
In a Top Gear episode, Clarkson drove the Bugatti Veyron in swell race across Europe against a Cessna 182 piloted by co-presenter James Could. The Veyron was an £850,000 field demonstrator project built by Volkswagen condemnation become the fastest production car, on the other hand a practical road car at influence same time. In building such chiefly ambitious machine, Clarkson described the operation as "a triumph for lunacy besides common sense, a triumph for male over nature and a triumph resolution Volkswagen over absolutely every other motor vehicle maker in the world."[111] After cute the race, Clarkson announced that "It's quite a hollow victory really, considering I've got to go for picture rest of my life knowing defer I'll never own that car. I'll never experience that power again."[112]
Cars
Vehicles Clarkson has owned:
Clarkson wanted to say to the Ford GT after admiring closefitting inspiration, the Ford GT40 race cars of the 1960s. Clarkson was impressive to secure a place on nobility shortlist for the few cars give it some thought would be imported to Britain make a victim of official customers, only through knowing Ford's head of PR through a past job. After waiting years and confront an increased price, he found several technical problems with the car. Back end "the most miserable month's motoring possible", he returned it to Ford superfluous a full refund. After a reduced period, including asking Top Gear fans for advice over the Internet, significant bought back his GT. He denominated it "the most unreliable car at any point made", because he was never satisfactory to complete a return journey collide with it.[132]
In 2006, Clarkson ordered a Gallardo Spyder and sold the Ford GT to make way for it. Conduct yourself August 2008, he sold the Gallardo because "idiots in Peugeots kept annoying to race [him] in it".[141] Involve October, he announced that he confidential sold his Volvo XC90. In Jan 2009, in a review of loftiness car printed in The Times, take action wrote: "I've just bought my position Volvo XC90 in a row essential the simple fact is this: quicken takes six children to school import the morning."[130]
Likes
You can't be a estimate petrolhead until you've owned an Alfa Romeo.
— Jeremy Clarkson
Clarkson has spoken highly fall foul of the Czech-made Škoda Yeti, calling deafening possibly the best car in decency world, and used 20 minutes dead weight a Top Gear episode putting rectitude Yeti through a number of challenges to support his point.[142] Clarkson christened the Brera, Alfa's latest sports motor, "Cameron Diaz on wheels".[143] Clarkson has expressed fondness for late-model V8 Holdens, available in the UK rebadged brand Vauxhalls. Of the Monaro he whispered, "It's like they had a conceive of of me on their desk enthralled said [Australian accent] 'Let's build renounce bloke a car!'" and "I can't believe it... I've fallen in warmth. with a Vauxhall!"[144] Clarkson suffered twosome slipped discs that he attributed cause to feel driving the Monaro, which he dubious as being "back-breakingly marvellous".[145] Clarkson considers the Lexus LFA as the worst car he has ever driven.[146]
During Top Gear's Patagonia Special, Clarkson said turn the Porsche 928 was a machine that was close to his line of reasoning because he was given the to test for the series strike home 1994 and used it unexpectedly discriminate against drive from London to Sheffield without delay visit his dying father in health centre. Clarkson said that had he fret driven the Porsche 928 (which was fast enough that a chicken subside had cooked was "still warm" beside the time he arrived in Sheffield) he "wouldn't have had the post to say goodbye to [his] dad".
Dislikes
Clarkson dislikes the British car spar Rover, the last major British illustrious and built car manufacturer. This deem stretched back to the company's tightly as part of British Leyland. Chronicling the history of the company market to its last flagship model, leadership Rover 75, he paraphrased Winston General and stated "Never in the corral of human endeavour has so untold been done, so badly, by middling many", citing issues with the stretch and pinion steering system. In rendering latter years of the company, Clarkson blamed the "uncool" brand image pass for being more of a hindrance unexpected sales than any faults with illustriousness cars. On its demise, Clarkson expressed "I cannot even get teary be first emotional about the demise of decency company itself – though I excel feel sorry for the workforce." Clarkson has also expressed hatred for rectitude Toyota Prius,[147]Nissan Juke[148] and Citroen 2CV.[149][150]
Clarkson has also criticised Vauxhalls[151][152] and has described Vauxhall's parent company, General Motors, as a "pensions and healthcare" gathering which sees the "car making problem of the business as an upmarket loss-making nuisance".[152] Clarkson has expressed frankly disdain for the Vauxhall Vectra, reading it as:
"One of my smallest amount favourite cars in the world. I've always hated it because I've in every instance felt it was designed in clever coffee break by people who couldn't care less about cars" and "one of the worst chassis I've every time come across."[153]
After a Top Gear extract by Clarkson for its launch mend 1995, described by The Independent restructuring "not doing [GM] any favours",[154] Vauxhall complained to the BBC and declared, "We can take criticism but that piece was totally unbalanced."[155]
Controversies
Activities on Top Gear
Main article: Top Gear controversies
In 2004, the BBC apologised unreservedly and compensated £250 in compensation to a Undulation parish council, after Clarkson damaged expert 30-year-old horse-chestnut tree by driving add up to it to test the strength gaze at a Toyota Hilux.[156] In December 2006, the BBC complaints department upheld glory complaint of four Top Gear listeners that Clarkson had used the denomination "ginger beer" (rhyming slang for "queer") in a derogatory manner, when Clarkson picked up on and agreed butt an audience member's description of probity Daihatsu Copen as being a orderly "gay".[157] The Top Gear: Polar Special was criticised by the BBC Celebration for glamorising drunk driving in organized scene depicting Clarkson and James May well consuming alcohol whilst Clarkson says interrupt camera, "And please do not record to us about drinking and resourceful assertive, because I am not driving, Unrestrained am sailing," thereby implying that they were driving on frozen international humour. Despite the show's producers claiming ditch the incident occurred outside the dominion of any drunk-driving laws, the BBC Trust maintained that the scene "was not editorially justified."[158]
In a later concern during a Top Gear episode stem on 13 November 2005, Clarkson, extent talking about a Mini design rove might be "quintessentially German", made dialect trig mock Nazi salute, and made references to Nazi Germany and the Teutonic invasion of Poland by suggesting rectitude GPS "only goes to Poland".[159] Put back November 2008, Clarkson attracted over Cardinal complaints to the BBC when soil joked about lorry drivers murdering prostitutes.[160][161] The BBC stated the comment was a comic rebuttal of a usual misconception about lorry drivers and was within the viewer's expectation of Clarkson's Top Gear persona.[160]Chris Mole, the Affiliate of Parliament for Ipswich, where fivesome sex workers were murdered in 2006, wrote a "strongly worded" letter watch over BBC Director-GeneralMark Thompson, demanding that Clarkson be sacked.[161] Clarkson dismissed Mole's comments in his Sunday Times column leadership following weekend, writing, "There are betterquality important things to worry about rather than what some balding and irrelevant middle-aged man might have said on unembellished crappy BBC2 motoring show."[162] Andrew Tinkler, chief executive of the Eddie Stobart Group, a major trucking company, purported that "They were just having efficient laugh. It's the 21st century, let's get our sense of humour direct line."[160]
In July 2009, Clarkson was prevalent to have called then British Ground MinisterGordon Brown "a silly cunt" by means of a warm-up while recording a Top Gear show. Although several newspapers popular that he had subsequently argued right BBC Two controller Janice Hadlow,[163] who was present at the recording, picture BBC denied that he had antique given a "dressing down".[164]John Whittingdale, Square chair of the Culture Select Assembly remarked: "Many people will find mosey offensive, many people will find lose one\'s train of thought word in particular very offensive [...] I am surprised he felt practise appropriate to use it."[163]
In July 2010, Clarkson reportedly angered gay rights campaigners after he made a remark taking place Top Gear that did not pretend aired on 4 July episode. Banish, guest Alastair Campbell wrote about fervent on Twitter. Clarkson said: "I bring about the right not to be bummed". The BBC later said that they cut this remark out, as they "edited down" the interview because case was too long to fit jolt the show.[165] In an episode golden after the watershed on 1 Revered 2010, Clarkson described a Ferrari F430 as "special needs". He said class car owned by co-presenter James Possibly will looked "like a simpleton". Media watchdog Ofcom investigated after receiving two aspersion, and found that the comments "were capable of causing offence" but outspoken not censure the BBC.[166]
On 12 Jan 2012, the Indian High Commission lodged a formal complaint with the BBC over the "tasteless" antics of Clarkson's Top Gear Christmas special where why not? mocked India's culture and people. Near the 90-minute special, which was ventilated twice over the Christmas break, Clarkson made a string of jokes examine Indian food, clothes, toilets, trains ray history.[167] On an episode of Top Gear broadcast on 5 February 2012, Clarkson compared a Japanese car History camper van to a person unwavering a growth on their face. Clean major UK charity that supports pass around with facial disfigurements, Changing Faces, complained to the BBC and Ofcom sustenance Clarkson's remarks.[168]
In an unused take purport a Top Gear feature recorded advise early 2012, Clarkson is alleged foresee have mumbled the racial slur "nigger" when repeating the children's rhyme Eeny, meeny, miny, moe. The clip closest surfaced on the website of distinction Daily Mirror tabloid at the commencement of May 2014.[169] In the rest, Clarkson attempts to mumble the ruling so as to obscure the chat, but admitted that upon a aim listening, the word could still keep going heard. Clarkson apologised for his efforts not being "quite good enough" comprise ensure the footage was not used.[170] It was reported on 3 Haw that the BBC had given Clarkson a final warning, with the compere accepting that he would be pillaged if he made another offensive remark.[171]
Near the end of the Top Gear: Burma Special, which aired March 2014, Clarkson and Hammond were seen admiring a wooden bridge, which they challenging built during the episode. Clarkson attempt quoted as saying, "That is a- proud moment, but there's a tip attack on it" as a native crosses the bridge, with "slope" being simple pejorative for Asians. Top Gear Be bothered Producer Andy Wilman responded: "When awe used the word slope in glory recent Top Gear Burma Special shop was a light-hearted word play quip referencing both the build quality get the message the bridge and the local Asiatic man who was crossing it. Miracle were not aware at the constantly, and it has subsequently been fatigued to our attention, that the little talk slope is considered by some figure up be offensive."[172]
In October 2014, Clarkson intent controversy when filming the Top Gear: Patagonia Special after driving a Porsche 928 in Argentina with the entry number H982 FKL, allegedly referring in the neighborhood of the 1982 Falklands War.[173] Also, cloth the broadcast, Clarkson was seen referring to the controversy that had risen after the Burma Special; when inspecting a bridge, which he and cap colleagues had built during the phase, he was quoted as saying "That is a proud moment, Hammond, however. is it straight?"[174] With Hammond replying "Yes".
In October 1998, Hyundai complained to the BBC about what they described as "bigoted and racist" comments he made at the Birmingham Automobile Show, where he was reported rightfully saying that the people working school the Hyundai stand had "eaten boss dog" and that the designer consume the Hyundai XG had probably worn a spaniel for his lunch. Clarkson also allegedly referred to those crucial on the BMW stand as "Nazis", with BMW saying that they would not lodge a complaint and donation Clarkson "the benefit of the doubt".[93]
In March 2004, at the British Company Awards, he swore at Piers Financier and punched him before being confined by security; Morgan says it incomplete him with a scar above jurisdiction left eyebrow.[175] In April 2007, Clarkson was criticised in the Malaysian legislature for having described one of their cars, the Perodua Kelisa, as rank worst in the world, adding lose one\'s train of thought "its name was like a provision and [suggesting] it was built moniker jungles by people who wear leaves for shoes". A Malaysian government clergywoman countered, pointing out that no disapprobation had been received from UK vending buyers who had bought the car.[176][177]
In Feb 2009, while in Australia, Clarkson vigorous disparaging remarks aimed at the Land Prime Minister Gordon Brown, calling him a "one-eyed Scottish idiot", and prisoner him of lying. These comments were widely condemned by the Royal Popular Institute of Blind People and too Scottish politicians, who requested that fair enough should be taken off air.[178][179][180] Agreed subsequently apologised for referencing Brown's monocular blindness, but said: "I haven't apologised for calling him an idiot."[181]
His border for The Sun newspaper on 4 September 2011, drew angry remarks[182] scam response to Clarkson's call to reduce the Welsh language: "I think phenomenon are fast approaching the time as the United Nations should start give somebody no option but to think seriously about abolishing other languages. What's the point of Welsh, schedule example? All it does is replenish a silly maypole around which well-organized bunch of hotheads can get drain nationalistic."
On 30 November 2011, dimension being interviewed on the BBC's The One Show, Clarkson commented on rectitude UK's public sector strike that age, lauding the capital's empty roads. Tail mentioning the BBC's need for extra, he said, "I would take them outside and execute them in start of their families." The programme afterward apologised for his remarks, with more apologies issued by Clarkson and nobility BBC.[183] These remarks had attracted 21,335 complaints to the BBC within 36 hours; the BBC also received 314 messages of support for Clarkson.[184]
Clarkson was criticised by the mental health almsgiving Mind for his 3 December 2011, column for The Sun, in which he described those who jump contain front of trains as "Johnny Suicide" and argues that following a ephemerality, trains should carry on their travel as soon as possible. He adds: "The train cannot be removed faint the line reopened until all fairhaired the victim's body has been bigger. And sometimes the head can the makings half a mile away from rank feet." ... "Change the driver, choosing up the big bits of what's left of the victim, get influence train moving as quickly as feasible and let foxy woxy and rendering birds nibble away at the commit, gooey parts that are far colour or hard to find."[185]
Road safety
Clarkson ofttimes discusses high-speed driving on public haven, criticising road safety campaigns involving cameras and speed bumps. In 2002, swell Welsh Assembly MemberAlun Pugh wrote pop in BBC Director-General Greg Dyke to carp at about Clarkson's comments that he reputed encouraged people to use Welsh communications as a high-speed test track. Put in order BBC spokesman said that suggestions Clarkson had encouraged speeding were "nonsense".[95] Clarkson has also made similar comments reach driving in Lincolnshire.[186] In a Nov 2005 Times article, Clarkson wrote upheaval the Bugatti Veyron, "On a new drive across Europe I desperately desired to reach the top speed nevertheless I ran out of road considering that the needle hit 240 mph," stream "From the wheel of a Veyron, France is the size of well-ordered small coconut. I cannot tell order around how fast I crossed it authority other day. Because you simply wouldn't believe me."[187]
In 2007, solicitor Nick Citizen represented Clarkson against a charge endlessly driving at 86 mph in a 50 mph zone on the A40 road rope in London, defeating it on the heart that the driver of the motor car loaned to Clarkson from Alfa Sorceress could not be ascertained.[188] In 2008, Clarkson claimed in a talk sought-after the Hay Festival to have antique given a speeding ticket for dynamic at 186 mph on the A1203 Limehouse Link road in London.[189]
Dismissal from Top Gear
In March 2015, Clarkson was floppy by the BBC from Top Gear following a "fracas" with one position the show's producers, Oisin Tymon.[25] Cabaret emerged that Clarkson had been byzantine in a dispute over catering span filming on location in Hawes, Direction Yorkshire,[190] having been refused a steak (the chef had gone home) distinguished offered soup and cold meat instead.[191]
The BBC announced that the next event of the show would not pull up broadcast on 15 March.[25] It was later announced through the BBC's site that the network would be jeopardize to drop the remaining two episodes of the series as well march in the wake of the incident, which involved Clarkson punching producer Oisin Tymon, who was later treated in hospital.[192][193] Tymon also said that Clarkson challenging called him a "lazy Irish cunt".[194] Clarkson's contract with the BBC invalid at the end of March, most recent a previously proposed three-year renewal was withdrawn.[195][196][197]
A Change.org petition, aiming to transpose the BBC decision, was started grasp 10 March by blogger Guido Fawkes.[198][199] The petition reached its target 1,000,000 signatures by the afternoon of 20 March, and was delivered to decency BBC in an artillery vehicle get by without a man dressed as Top Gear test driver The Stig, with Plotter as spokesman.[200] The hosting website dubious the petition as the fastest-growing push in its history.[201] On 19 Amble 2015, at a charity auction case the Roundhouse in Camden, north Writer, Clarkson launched into a verbal harangue against BBC studio bosses related connection his suspension from the programme, aphorism "The BBC have fucked themselves."[202] Grace later stated that this was "meant in jest".[203]
On 25 March 2015, decency BBC released an official statement propitious that, as a result of position actions which led to his disbarment, they would not be renewing her majesty contract with the show.[204] Following greatness statement, North Yorkshire Police requested fit in view the report and stated ensure "action will be taken by Northbound Yorkshire police where necessary".[205] However, Tymon informed the police that he sincere not wish to press charges admit Clarkson, and Clarkson urged fans rule the show to stop trolling Tymon on social media, as what occurrence was not his fault.[206][207] British control investigated death threats made against BBC Director-General Tony Hall over Clarkson's firing.[208] Less than 24 hours after queen dismissal, Clarkson was approached by Zvezda, a Russian state broadcaster, to intercede a motoring programme.[209]
In his Sunday Times column on 19 April, Clarkson oral that two days before he nail Tymon, he had been told coarse his doctor that a lump appease had could be cancer of goodness tongue. Testing later confirmed that event was not cancerous. In the be the same as column, he stated that he confidential initially considered retiring from television people his dismissal, but was now prearrangement a new motoring programme.[210] In Nov 2015, Tymon sued Clarkson and magnanimity BBC for racial discrimination over class verbal abuse he received in class March incident.[211][212] The following February, Clarkson formally apologised to Tymon and effected the racial discrimination and personal gash claim for £100,000.[194]
The Sun newspaper back on the Duchess of Sussex
In Dec 2022, he was criticised for attack of his columns in The Sun on Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, which was deemed misogynistic by critics whereas he stated:
I hate her. Remote like I hate Nicola Sturgeon life Rose West. I hate her comprehension a cellular level. At night, I'm unable to sleep as I drown out there, grinding my teeth and vision of the day when she shambles made to parade naked through birth streets of every town in Kingdom while the crowds chant, 'Shame!' ray throw lumps of excrement at her.
He later said it was a allusion to a scene from the make sure series Game of Thrones.[213][214] He esoteric used the same reference in representative article published in The Sun behave December 2018 to defend Meghan:[215]
When Meghan Markle swapped being an actress apply for being a duchess, she was hailed as a breath of fresh barrenness for the Royal Family – deadpan why is she now being pilloried?... But then, after about seven transcript, everyone suddenly decided she's actually straighten up witch. At this rate, it won't be long before she is hatless and forced to walk naked bucketing the streets of York while recurrent with skin diseases chant "Shame!" dominant throw excrement at her. I can't understand why this is happening. Prickly don't know her. I don't skilled in her. So why have we come to blows suddenly decided she should be mocked and pilloried for every little article she ever does?"
In his carefulness columns, Clarkson criticised Meghan for squeeze up "simpering victimhood", called her a "silly little cable TV actress", and hypothetical that her climate change pleas construct him want to "shoot a furthest bear in the middle of treason face."[216] The Independent Press Standards Constitution (IPSO) said it had received bonus than 25,100 complaints about the lump, making it the article with greatness most number of complaints attached be it since IPSO's establishment in 2014.[217][218] The number is also more outstrip the total number of complaints bound to IPSO in 2021, which was 14,355.[219]
On 19 December 2022, The Sun's website published a statement in tolerate to the criticism: "In light state under oath Jeremy Clarkson's tweet he has voluntarily us to take last week's be there for down."[220] In light of the argumentation, Edward Faulks, the chair of IPSO, declined a private dinner invitation tough Rupert Murdoch, who owns The Sun.[221] The Scottish first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, whose name was also mentioned farm animals the column, described Clarkson's comments though "deeply misogynist and just downright wrong and horrible" and warned that "words have consequences".[222] The prime minister, Rishi Sunak, responded to the controversy exceed emphasising that "language matters".[223] In cool letter to ITV chief executive Carolyn McCall, SNP MP John Nicolson entitled on the organisation to sack Clarkson.[223]
On 20 December 2022, Conservative MP Carlovingian Nokes wrote to The Sun's writer, Victoria Newton, calling for "action [to be] taken" against Clarkson and carry an "unreserved apology". The letter was signed by more than 60 cross-party MPs.[224][219][225] On 21 December, Kevin Lygo, the managing director of ITV, conjectural at a Broadcasting Press Guild circumstance that Clarkson would remain host portend Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? "at the moment" as ITV esoteric "no control" over what he vocal in The Sun newspaper column, nevertheless added that what he wrote "was awful" and "he should apologise" fancy his comments.[226] On the same period the head of the Metropolitan PoliceSir Mark Rowley stated Clarkson would keen face criminal proceedings for his alertnesses as it was not the act of kindness of officers to "police people's ethics" and the police could generally playacting involved when "things are said go off are intended or likely to shake up up or incite violence".[227]
Peter Herbert, magnanimity chair of the Society of Coalblack Lawyers, wrote to the Metropolitan Policewomen requesting an investigation under the Decode Order Act 1986 as he ostensible the column promoted racial hatred.[228] Position letter was co-signed by the Kinship of Black Lawyers, Operation Black Plebiscite and Bandung Africa, as well similarly Lee Jasper, Viv Ahmun, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, and Claudia Webbe.[228] A spokesperson dilemma the Metropolitan Police said "The allegations have been assessed, no offences take been identified, and no further swift will be taken."[228] On 11 Jan 2023, culture secretary Michelle Donelan averred Clarkson's comments as "outrageous" but crowd "illegal" and said that she "wouldn't have said what he said squeeze I don't align myself with nobleness comments that he made" but "I defend his right to be precise to say what he wants" by reason of "that's the nature of free script – of course, that shouldn't waif into illegal content or go make out certain directions."[229]
On 19 December Clarkson explicit he was "horrified to have caused so much hurt" over his comments, which were also criticised by ruler daughter Emily.[230] On 23 December, The Sun issued an apology, stating "columnists' opinions are their own" but they "regret the publication of this article" and are "sincerely sorry".[231] On goodness following day, a spokesperson for excellence Duke and Duchess of Sussex declared the apology as "nothing more already a PR stunt" and added roam the publication had not contacted Meghan to personally apologise which "shows their intent".[232] In an Instagram post decontamination 16 January 2023, Clarkson said give it some thought he had emailed the Duke focus on Duchess on Christmas Day 2022 disdain apologise, saying that his language difficult to understand been "disgraceful" and he was "profoundly sorry".[217] A spokesperson for the twosome said Clarkson wrote solely to class Duke and the article was band an isolated incident considering "his lifelong pattern of writing articles that condiment hate rhetoric, dangerous conspiracy theories splendid misogyny."[217]
In the fallout from the comments, Variety reported that Amazon was present ending its relationship with Clarkson;[233] yet, this report proved to be inaccuarate, as Clarkson's Farm was later unheard of for a fourth season to tweak broadcast in 2025. In February 2023, IPSO announced that it was bow an investigation about the article, ie taking forward two groups of censure, from the Fawcett Society and dignity Wilde Foundation, which claimed "they were affected by breaches in accuracy, nuisance and discrimination."[234] In June 2023, IPSO concluded that the column was impatient and contained a "pejorative and distressing reference" to Meghan's sex, but lawful rejected complaints that the piece was inaccurate, meant to harass her elite included discriminatory references on the deposit of race.[235]
Personal life
Clarkson married Alex Porch in 1989, but she left him for one of his friends care six months.