Television presenter Jeremy Clarkson has made a startling admission, revealing he is stepping back from his TV commitments for the first time in four decades and is 'genuinely frightened' by the prospect. The 65-year-old has paused production on his hit Amazon Prime series, Clarkson's Farm, and his hosting duties on ITV's Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?.
A Health Scare and Exhausting Schedule
Clarkson opened up about the reasons behind his decision while speaking at the launch of his new ITV spin-off show, Millionaire Hot Seat. He cited a serious health issue last year, which saw him hospitalised with a heart problem, as a major wake-up call. The presenter directly linked this to the immense stress and lack of sleep from juggling his dual filming commitments.
'I was coming back knackered from a day trying to get the pub open, and having to get straight into the tractor to do grain carting through the night,' Clarkson explained, referencing the gruelling schedule depicted on Clarkson's Farm. He emphasised the relentless nature of farming, stating, 'You can’t make the harvest wait... God it was knackering.'
Facing an Unprecedented Three-Month Break
The Doncaster-born star confessed his anxiety about the impending hiatus, which will see him not filming any television for three months. 'I’m genuinely frightened because until March, I won’t be filming a TV show for the first time in forty years,' he said. 'That will be three months of s**t.'
Despite the filming pause at his Diddly Squat Farm, Clarkson confirmed that the actual farming work continues unabated. In a characteristic humorous aside, he noted, 'Today, I have rented out a pig for sexual purposes.'
New Project: Millionaire Hot Seat Launches
His break from the established shows coincides with the launch of his new programme, Millionaire Hot Seat. Described as a fast-paced, tactical twist on the classic format, the ITV show will feature six contestants competing in a rotating 'hot seat', testing their speed, strategy, and nerve under pressure. The show is due to air on ITV this month.
This period marks a significant moment in Clarkson's long career, forcing a pause for health reasons after decades of non-stop broadcasting, and introducing viewers to a new, quicker version of the iconic quiz show he hosts.
