Jeremy Clarkson has given an update on his Diddly Squat farmhand Gerald Cooper following his devastating cancer diagnosis.
Part way through filming the third season of Clarkson’s Farm, Gerald revealed to the former Top Gear presenter and his team that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer following a number of recent tests.
Gerald’s absence on the show had initially been put down to ‘illness’ until Clarkson told viewers of the diagnosis. Speaking to Kaleb Cooper on the show, Clarkson – who is opening a £1m pub in season four of the hit show – says: “I’ve been phoning around, doctors and things I know, and he’s odds are really good. But it’s scaring him to death.”
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Kaleb says: “He doesn’t understand that.”
Responding, Jezza says: “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.”
Gerald returned to the farm in the second half of the season, with a giddy Jezza unable to contain his joy at seeing his good friend back where he belongs.
Charlie Ireland, Lisa Hogan, Jeremy Clarkson and Gerald Cooper at one of Kaleb Cooper’s live shows (Ellis OBrien/Expectation/PA Wire)
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In their catch up, Gerald told Jeremy that he was ‘getting there’, revealing he had been having radiotherapy to treat his prostate cancer. By that point in filming he already had 37 sessions under his belt.
“I haven’t got the all clear yet but you know, touch wood,” he says.
This week, some four months after the third season aired, Clarkson has issued fans with an update when it came to Gerald’s cancer battle.
It came via the Who Wants to be a Millionaire presenter’s X account, where he tweeted about girlfriend Lisa Hogan ‘being papped hugging another man’.
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Gerald with a very famous visitor to Diddly Squat Farm (Instagram/jeremyclarkson1)
Responding to the tweet, one fan wanted to know how fan favourite Gerald was doing.
“Is Gerald fine? I mean, from where I live, I don’t know much about him except for what’s in the show,” they wrote.
Clarkson took the time to respond, writing: “He’s doing really well. Such a relief.”
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Responding to Jezza, another fan said: “So glad to hear this Jeremy even though my Scottish brain can’t understand a single word he utters. Love him and wish him all the best.”
Clarkson cheekily responded by saying: “You don’t need to be Scottish to be lost!”
The final scene of season three of Clarkson’s Farm saw Gerald getting emotional as he thanked Jeremy and the wider team – including those behind the cameras – for their love and support.
“I would like to thank everybody, all the film crew, and all my friends here. All of you have been so kind to me and my family, thank you very much,” he said.
Featured Image Credit: Ellis OBrien / Expectation / PA Wire / Instagram / jeremyclarkson1
Topics: Celebrity, Clarkson’s Farm, Documentaries, Entertainment, Jeremy Clarkson, TV, UK News, Cancer, Health
