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{{short description|English television presenter, journalist and author (born 1960)}}
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{{Use British English|date=June 2025}}
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{{Infobox person
| name               = Jeremy Clarkson
| image              = Jeremy Clarkson, Top Gear Live 2012 (4x5 cropped).jpg
| caption            = Clarkson in 2012
| birth_name         = Jeremy Charles Robert Clarkson
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1960|04|11|df=y}}
| birth_place        = [[Sprotbrough]], West Riding of Yorkshire, England
| other_names        = Jezza<br>The Orangutan
| occupation         = {{hlist|Journalist|broadcaster|columnist|writer|farmer}}
| years_active       = 1988–present
| employer           = {{plainlist|
* [[BBC]] (1988–2015)
* ''[[The Sunday Times]]'' (1993–present)
* ''[[The Sun (United Kingdom)|The Sun]]'' (1996–present)
* [[Amazon Prime Video|Amazon]] (2016–present)
* [[ITV plc|ITV]] (2018–present)}}
| credits            = {{Unbulleted indent list|''Top Gear''  ([[Top Gear (1977 TV series)|1988–2000]]; [[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|2002–2015]])|''[[The Grand Tour]]'' (2016–2024)|''[[Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (British game show)|Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?]]'' (2018–present)|''[[Clarkson's Farm]]'' (2021–present)}}
| spouse             = {{Unbulleted list|{{marriage|Alexandra James|September 1989|1990|reason=divorced}}| {{marriage|Frances Cain|May 1993|2014|reason=divorced}}}}
<!-- | partner            = Lisa Hogan (2017–present) Not notable, see template doc -->| partner            = Lisa Hogan (2017–present)
| children           = 3
| signature          = Jeremy Clarkson Signature.jpg
}}

'''Jeremy Charles Robert Clarkson''' (born 11 April 1960) is an English [[television presenter]], journalist, farmer, and author who specialises in [[Driving|motoring]]. He is best known for hosting the motoring television programmes ''[[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Top Gear]]'' (2002–2015) and ''[[The Grand Tour]]'' (2016–2024) alongside [[Richard Hammond]] and [[James May]]. He also currently writes weekly columns for ''[[The Sunday Times]]'' and ''[[The Sun (United Kingdom)|The Sun]]''. Clarkson hosts the [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] game show ''[[Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (British game show)|Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?]]'' (2018–present), and stars in the [[Agriculture|farming]] documentary show ''[[Clarkson's Farm]]'' (2021–present).

From a career as a local journalist in [[northern England]], Clarkson rose to public prominence as a presenter of the [[Top Gear (1977 TV series)|original format of ''Top Gear'']] in 1988. Since the mid-1990s, he has become a recognised public personality, regularly appearing on British television presenting his own shows for the [[BBC]] and appearing as a guest on other shows. As well as motoring, Clarkson has produced programmes on subjects such as history and engineering; he has also written numerous books, primarily on cars. In 1998, he hosted the first series of ''[[Robot Wars (TV series)|Robot Wars]]''. From 1998 to 2000, he also hosted his own talk show, entitled ''[[Clarkson (TV series)|Clarkson]]''.

In 2015, the BBC elected not to renew Clarkson's contract after he assaulted a ''Top Gear'' producer while filming on location.<ref name="guardian-clarksonsacked">{{cite news |date=25 March 2015 |title=Jeremy Clarkson dropped by BBC after damning report into assault on producer |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/mar/25/jeremy-clarkson-top-gear-contract-bbc |access-date=25 March 2015}}</ref><ref name="guardian-dismissed">{{cite web |date=25 March 2015 |title=Summary text of BBC's report into Jeremy Clarkson 'fracas' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/mar/25/jeremy-clarkson-fracas-report-full-text-bbc-macquarrie |access-date=25 March 2015 |website=The Guardian}}</ref> That year, Clarkson and his ''Top Gear'' co-presenters and producer [[Andy Wilman]] formed the production company W. Chump & Sons to produce ''The Grand Tour'' for [[Amazon Prime Video]].

Clarkson's opinionated but humorous [[tongue-in-cheek]] writing and presenting style has often provoked a public reaction. His actions, both privately and as a ''Top Gear'' presenter, have also sometimes resulted in criticism from the media, politicians, [[Advocacy group|pressure group]]s, and the public. He also has a significant public following, being credited as a major factor in the resurgence of ''Top Gear'' as one of the most popular shows on the BBC. In 2006, the British public ranked him number 19 in ITV's poll of [[TV's 50 Greatest Stars]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5142726.stm|title=ITV to salute '50 greatest stars'|date=3 July 2006|publisher=[[BBC News]]|access-date=12 March 2025}}</ref>

Since 2019, he has become a farmer at Diddly Squat Farm for his show, ''Clarkson's Farm''. The show received a positive reception and became a popular show on Prime Video upon its release.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jeremy Clarkson reacts as his farm show becomes massive hit |date=20 June 2021 |url=https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/celebs-tv/jeremy-clarkson-reacts-farm-show-5551740}}</ref> In May 2024, the "[[General Permitted Development Order#"Clarkson's clause"|Clarkson's clause]]" amendment, named after Clarkson, was introduced; this clause makes it easier to convert unused agricultural buildings to commercial usage, something he did in Season 2 of the show when planning permission for his restaurant was denied.

==Early life==
===Childhood===
Jeremy Charles Robert Clarkson was born on 11 April 1960 in [[Sprotbrough]], then part of the [[West Riding of Yorkshire]].<ref name=":1">{{cite news |last=Parkinson |first=Justin |date=25 March 2015 |title=The Jeremy Clarkson story |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-31907458 |access-date=11 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title= |url=https://x.com/jeremyclarkson/status/1263526101017649153?s=46&t=fHvncVy4KqmaJFSOgyhlKg}}</ref> He is the son of Shirley Gabrielle Clarkson (''née'' Ward), a teacher,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.famechain.com/family-tree/13643/eddie-clarkson/shirley-clarkson|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322231902/https://www.famechain.com/family-tree/13643/eddie-clarkson/shirley-clarkson|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 March 2019|title=Eddie Clarkson & Shirley Clarkson Married, Children, Joint Family Tree & History – FameChain|website=www.famechain.com}}</ref> and Edward Grenville Clarkson, a travelling salesman.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |date=16 November 2003 |title=Desert Island Discs – Jeremy Clarkson |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/factual/desertislanddiscs_20031116.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100903061428/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/factual/desertislanddiscs_20031116.shtml |archive-date=3 September 2010 |access-date=21 June 2015 |publisher=BBC Radio4}}</ref> His parents, who ran a business selling [[tea cosy|tea cosies]], put their son's name down in advance for private schools, with no idea how they were going to pay the fees. However, shortly before his admission, when he was 13, his parents made two [[Paddington Bear]] stuffed toys for Clarkson and his sister Joanna.<ref>{{cite book |last=Clarkson |first=Shirley |url=https://archive.org/details/bearlybelievable00clar |title=Bearly Believable: My Part in the Paddington Bear Story |date=23 June 2008 |publisher=Harriman House Publishing |isbn=978-1-905641-72-7 |url-access=registration}}</ref> These proved so popular they started selling them through the business.<ref name="auto">{{cite web |last=Eckford |first=Alex |date=16 July 2010 |title=Jeremy Clarkson's mum lifts lid on famous son |url=http://www.autotrader.co.uk/EDITORIAL/CARS/FEATURES/jeremy_clarksons_mum_lifts_lid_on_famous_son.html |accessdate=20 February 2013 |website=Autotrader |publisher=[[Auto Trader Group]] |number=39|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100822192246/http://www.autotrader.co.uk/EDITORIAL/CARS/FEATURES/jeremy_clarksons_mum_lifts_lid_on_famous_son.html|archivedate=22 August 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> Because they were manufacturing and selling the bears without regard to [[intellectual property]] rights, upon his becoming aware of the bears [[Michael Bond]] took action through his solicitors. Edward Clarkson travelled to London to meet Bond's lawyer. By coincidence, he met Bond in the lift; the two struck up an immediate rapport. Consequently, Bond awarded the Clarksons the licensing of the bear rights throughout the world, with the family eventually selling to Britain's then leading toystore, [[Hamleys]].<ref>{{cite episode |title=Inside Hamleys at Christmas |url=https://www.thetvdb.com/series/channel-5-uk-documentaries/episodes/6942807 |series=Inside Hamleys at Christmas |network=[[5 (British TV channel)|Channel 5 (UK)]] |date=December 2018}}</ref> The income from this success enabled the Clarksons to be able to pay the fees for Jeremy to attend [[Hill House School, South Yorkshire]], and later [[Repton School]], [[Derbyshire]].<ref name=auto/>

===Repton School===
Clarkson has stated he was deeply unhappy at Repton School. Clarkson said that he had been a "[[Suicidal ideation|suicidal wreck]]" there, having experienced extreme [[bullying]]. He alleged that:
<blockquote>I suffered many terrible things. I was thrown on an hourly basis into the ice plunge pool, dragged from my bed in the middle of the night and beaten, made to lick the lavatories clean and all the usual humiliations that... turn a small boy into a gibbering, sobbing, suicidal wreck... they glued my records together, snapped my compass, ate my biscuits, defecated in my tuck box and they cut my trousers in half.<ref>{{cite web |date=5 June 2016 |title=Clarkson was suicidal at school after being bullied |url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/entertainment/celebrity/clarkson-was-suicidal-at-school-after-being-bullied/ar-AAbWf5j |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605073627/http://www.msn.com/en-gb/entertainment/celebrity/clarkson-was-suicidal-at-school-after-being-bullied/ar-AAbWf5j |archive-date=5 June 2016 |access-date=25 March 2020 |website=[[MSN]]}}</ref></blockquote>

According to his own account, Clarkson was expelled from Repton School for "drinking, smoking and generally making a nuisance of himself".<ref>{{cite web |last=Patrick |first=Patrick |date=November 2003 |title=Jeremy Clarkson's Fact File |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/patrickkielty/guests/jeremyclarkson.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111022422/http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/patrickkielty/guests/jeremyclarkson.shtml |archive-date=11 November 2012 |access-date=21 June 2015 |publisher=BBC |quote=He claims to have been expelled from his public school for drinking, smoking and generally making a nuisance of himself.}}</ref> He famously left with one C and two U (fail) grades at [[GCE Advanced Level|A level]].<ref>{{cite tweet |number=1293826911752392705 |user=JeremyClarkson |title=A level results not great? Don't worry, I got a C and 2 Us and I'm currently building a large house with far reaching views of the Cotswolds |first=Jeremy |last=Clarkson}}</ref> Clarkson attended Repton alongside future [[Formula One]] engineer [[Adrian Newey]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Batra |first=Ruhi |title=Newey giving shape to Red Bull dreams |work=[[The Times of India]] |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/racing/Newey-giving-shape-to-Red-Bull-dreams/articleshow/10361996.cms |url-status=live |access-date=16 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521123001/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-15/racing/30283144_1_cars-dreams-shape |archive-date=21 May 2013}}</ref> and former ''Top Gear'' Executive Producer [[Andy Wilman]]. He played the role of a [[Preparatory school (United Kingdom)|preparatory school]] pupil, Atkinson, in a BBC radio ''[[Children's Hour]]'' serial adaptation of [[Anthony Buckeridge]]'s ''[[Jennings (novel series)|Jennings]]'' novels until his voice broke.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Radio Academy |url=http://www.radioacademy.org.uk/record.jsp?type=celeb&ID=11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214081129/http://www.radioacademy.org.uk/record.jsp?type=celeb&ID=11 |archive-date=14 February 2008 |access-date=22 February 2013 |website=William ('Uncle David') Davis |publisher=The Radio Academy (a registered charity dedicated to the encouragement, recognition and promotion of excellence in UK broadcasting and audio production). |quote=Among the schoolboy actors who passed through the Jennings plays before their voices broke, incidentally, was Jeremy Clarkson}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGci8ga-_W8 |title=Jeremy Clarkson on LBC 97.3 |type=Online video |year=2013 |access-date=29 November 2014 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/TGci8ga-_W8 |archive-date=12 December 2021 |url-status=live |people=Jeremy Clarkson}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==Career==
===Writing career===
Clarkson's first job was as a travelling salesman for his parents' business, selling [[Paddington Bear]] toys.<ref>[http://www.bbcworld.com/content/template_clickpage.asp?pageid=2231 Jeremy Clarkson] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060628081703/http://www.bbcworld.com/content/template_clickpage.asp?pageid=2231 |date=28 June 2006}}. Retrieved 2 August 2006.</ref> He later trained as a journalist with the ''Rotherham Advertiser'', before also writing for the ''[[Rochdale Observer]]'', ''[[Wolverhampton Express and Star]]'', ''Lincolnshire Life'', ''[[Shropshire Star]]'' and the Associated Kent Newspapers. When writing in 2015 in his final column for ''Top Gear'' magazine, he credited the ''Shropshire Star'' as his first outlet as a motoring columnist: "I started small, on the ''Shropshire Star'' with little [[Peugeot]]s and [[Fiat Chrysler Automobiles|Fiats]] and worked my way up to [[Ford Granada (Europe)|Ford Granada]]s and Rovers until, after about seven years, I was allowed to drive an [[Aston Martin Lagonda]]... It was 10 years before I drove my first [[Lamborghini]]."<ref>{{cite news |date=27 March 2015 |title=Sacked Clarkson tells how his road to motoring fame started in Shropshire |page=4 |work=Shropshire Star}}Report by David Banner.</ref>

In 1984, Clarkson formed the Motoring Press Agency (MPA), in which, with fellow motoring journalist Jonathan Gill, he conducted road tests for local newspapers and automotive magazines. This developed into articles for publications such as ''[[Performance Car]]''.<ref>[http://www.askmen.com/men/entertainment_200/222b_jeremy_clarkson.html ''Jeremy Clarkson'' at AskMen.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706070441/http://www.askmen.com/men/entertainment_200/222b_jeremy_clarkson.html |date= 6 July 2008}}. Retrieved 27 April 2007.</ref> He has regularly written for ''[[Top Gear (magazine)|Top Gear]]'' magazine since its launch in 1993. In 1987, Clarkson wrote for ''[[Amstrad Computer User]]'' and compiled [[Amstrad CPC]] game reviews.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jeremy Clarkson Amstrad Game Reviews |work=Imgur |url=http://imgur.com/a/15jDz |access-date=21 February 2017}}</ref>

Clarkson writes regular columns in the [[Tabloid journalism|tabloid]] newspaper ''[[The Sun (United Kingdom)|The Sun]]'', and for the [[broadsheet]] newspaper ''[[The Sunday Times]]''. His columns in the ''Times'' are republished in ''[[The Australian|The Weekend Australian]]'' newspaper. He also writes for the "Wheels" section of the ''[[Toronto Star]]''. He has written humorous books about cars and several other subjects; many of his books are collections of articles that he has written for ''The Sunday Times''.

===Television===
[[File:Top Gear team Richard Hammond, James May and Jeremy Clarkson 31 October 2008.jpg|thumb|right|Clarkson (right) with his fellow ''Top Gear'' presenters, [[Richard Hammond]] and [[James May]], in 2008]]
Clarkson's first major television role came as one of the presenters on the British motoring programme ''[[Top Gear (1977 TV series)|Top Gear]]'', from 27 October 1988 to 3 March 1999,<ref>{{cite web |date=4 March 1999 |title=Clarkson on Leaving Top Gear TV |url=https://www.topgear.com/car-news/jeremy-clarkson/clarkson-leaving-top-gear-tv |access-date=28 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Jeremy Clarkson |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0165087/filmoseries#tt0163503 |access-date=25 March 2015 |website=IMDb}}</ref> in the programme's earlier format. [[Jon Bentley (TV presenter)|Jon Bentley]], a researcher at ''Top Gear'', helped launch his television career.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ross |first=Tom |date=26 March 2015 |title=Was Jeremy Clarkson trouble from the start? He sure was |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/mar/26/jeremy-clarkson-bbc-top-gear}}</ref> Clarkson got the job after a [[screen test]] in which he spent 20 minutes ranting about the awfulness of the [[Citroën 2CV|Citroen 2CV]].<ref>{{cite web |date=16 August 2018 |title=Hated by Top Gear star Jeremy Clarkson – but Norfolk loves a Citroen 2CV |url=https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/20799738.hated-top-gear-star-jeremy-clarkson---norfolk-loves-citroen-2cv/ |access-date=23 March 2024 |website=Eastern Daily Press (quote from the Patagonia Special)}}</ref> Shortly afterwards, Bentley became the show's producer, and said about hiring Clarkson: <blockquote>He was just what I was looking for&nbsp;— an enthusiastic motoring writer who could make cars on telly fun. He was opinionated and irreverent, rather than respectfully po-faced. The fact that he looked and sounded exactly like a twenty-something ex-public schoolboy didn't matter. Nor did the impression there was a hint of school bully about him. I knew he was the man for the job. [...] Clarkson stood out because he was funny. Even my bosses allowed themselves the odd titter.<ref>{{cite news |last=Parkinson |first=Justin |date=25 March 2015 |title=The Jeremy Clarkson story |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-31907458}}</ref></blockquote>
[[File:Top Gear Live, 2011.jpg|thumb|Clarkson (second from left) at the 2011 [[MPH Show|Top Gear Live]] show, along with James May (third from left) and [[Shane Jacobson]] (far left) ]]
Clarkson then also presented the show's [[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|new format]] from 20 October 2002, to 8 March 2015.<ref name="bbc-suspended-src" /> Along with co-presenters [[James May]] and [[Richard Hammond]], he is credited with turning ''Top Gear'' into the most-watched TV show on [[BBC Two]];<ref>{{cite web |last=Clarkson |first=Jeremy |date=27 April 2007 |title=Your Clarkson needs you |url=http://www.topgear.com/content/features/stories/2007/04/stories/17/1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070528065119/http://www.topgear.com/content/features/stories/2007/04/stories/17/1.html |archive-date=28 May 2007 |access-date=27 April 2007 |website=Top Gear Magazine |publisher=[[BBC Worldwide]] |quote=...we finished with 8.6&nbsp;million people watching the end of the final show. To put that in perspective, it's pretty much twice what a very successful programme could dream of getting on BBC2 or Channel 4. It puts us on level terms with Eastenders.}}</ref> the program is rebroadcast to over 100 countries around the world.<ref>{{cite news |last=Savage |first=Mark |date=21 September 2006 |title=Top Gear's chequered past |work=BBC News |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5367516.stm |access-date=27 April 2007 |quote=It is currently shown in more than 100 countries around the world, and ''Top Gear'' magazine is the UK's biggest-selling car magazine.}}</ref> Clarkson's company [[Bedder 6]], which handled merchandise and international distribution for ''Top Gear'', earned over £149m in revenue in 2012, prior to a restructuring that gave [[BBC Worldwide]] full control of the ''Top Gear'' rights.<ref>{{cite news |date=16 July 2013 |title=Top Gear: Jeremy Clarkson netted more than £14m from show last year |work=Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/jul/16/jeremy-clarkson-top-gear-bbc-worldwide |access-date=29 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Conlan |first1=Tara |last2=Sabbagh |first2=Dan |date=27 September 2012 |title=Top Gear deal nets Jeremy Clarkson multi-million pound payout |work=Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/sep/27/top-gear-jeremy-clarkson-payout |access-date=29 March 2017}}</ref>

Clarkson presented the first series of the UK version of ''[[Robot Wars (TV series)|Robot Wars]]''.<ref name="SphereTV">{{cite web |title=Robot Wars |url=http://www.spheretv.com/site/television/game-show/robot-wars.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061205043836/http://www.spheretv.com/site/television/game-show/robot-wars.html |archive-date=5 December 2006 |access-date=18 November 2006 |website=SphereTV}}</ref> In an on-set accident, a robot's weapon flew off and became lodged in the wall inches from Clarkson.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Power |first1=Ed |title=Robot Wars: your guide to the new series |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2016/07/24/robot-wars-your-guide-to-the-new-series/ |access-date=2 May 2024 |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=24 July 2016}}</ref> His talk show, ''Clarkson'', comprised 27 half-hour episodes aired in the United Kingdom between November 1998 and December 2000; the programme featured guest interviews with musicians, politicians and television personalities. Clarkson went on to present documentaries focused on non-motoring themes such as history and engineering, although the motoring shows and videos continued. Alongside his stand-alone shows, many mirror the format of his newspaper columns and books, combining his love of driving and motoring journalism, with the examination and expression of his other views on the world, such as in ''Jeremy Clarkson's Motorworld'', ''Jeremy Clarkson's Car Years'' and ''Jeremy Clarkson Meets the Neighbours''.

After [[Trinny Woodall|Trinny]] and [[Susannah Constantine|Susannah]] labelled Clarkson's dress sense as that of a market trader, he was persuaded to appear on their fashion makeover show ''[[What Not to Wear (UK)|What Not to Wear]]'' to avoid being considered for their all-time worst dressed winner award.<ref>{{cite web |date=27 August 2002 |title=Worst-Dressed Winners |url=http://www.vogue.co.uk/vogue_daily/story/story.asp?stid=3855 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930011014/http://www.vogue.co.uk/vogue_daily/story/story.asp?stid=3855 |archive-date=30 September 2007 |access-date=27 April 2007 |website=[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]  |quote="FAMED fashion commentators Susannah Constantine and Trinny Woodall have come up with a definitive worst-dressed list to coincide with the launch of a new series of their What Not to Wear programme&nbsp;... While each candidate was invited onto the show for a full wardrobe makeover, only [[Birds of a Feather (TV series)|Birds of a Feather]] actress [[Lesley Joseph]] (who "looks like a pantomime dame"), and Jeremy Clarkson ("who looks like he should be selling vegetables in the market"), have accepted. Their reward for having their fashion sense publicly torn apart is that they will avoid winning the all-time Worst-Dressed title."}}</ref> Their attempts at restyling Clarkson were rebuffed, and Clarkson stated he would rather eat his own hair than appear on the show again.<ref>{{cite press release |title=BBC ONE honours the best TV moments from 2002 |date=1 February 2003 |publisher=BBC Press Office |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2003/02_february/01/tvmoments_2002.shtml |quote=Trinny and Susannah suggest alternatives to Jeremy Clarkson's wardrobe with very little success. Every suggested outfit is "shot down in flames" by Jeremy causing an exasperated Trinny to ask him why he agreed to appear on the programme. |access-date=27 April 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=8 September 2002 |title=Mammary mia! |work=[[Sunday Herald]] |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_20020908/ai_n12578387/pg_1 |url-status=dead |access-date=18 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071113171634/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_20020908/ai_n12578387/pg_1 |archive-date=13 November 2007 |quote="I'd rather eat my own hair than shop with these two again," said Jeremy Clarkson, who was lured onto their show after they picked him out as one of the "world's worst-dressed men".}}</ref> For an episode of the first series of the BBC's ''[[Who Do You Think You Are? (British TV series)|Who Do You Think You Are?]]'' broadcast in November 2004, Clarkson was invited to investigate his family history. It included the story of his great-great-great-grandfather, John Kilner (1792–1857), who invented the [[Kilner jar]], a container for preserved fruit.<ref name="wdytya-pr">{{cite press release |title=Who Do You Think You Are? – Jeremy Clarkson |date=24 September 2004 |publisher=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2004/09_september/24/who_clarkson.shtml |access-date=2 August 2006}}</ref><ref name="wdytya">{{cite episode |title=Who Do You Think You Are? with Jeremy Clarkson |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/familyhistory/get_started/wdytya_s1_celeb_gallery_04.shtml |series=Who Do You Think You Are? |series-link=Who Do You Think You Are? (British TV series) |network=BBC |station=BBC Two |date=2 November 2004 |location=UK}}</ref>

Clarkson's views are often showcased on television shows. In 1997, Clarkson appeared on the light-hearted comedy show ''[[Room 101 (British TV series)|Room 101]]'', in which a guest nominates things they hate in life to be consigned to nothingness. Clarkson dispatched [[travel trailer|caravans]], [[Housefly|houseflies]], the sitcom ''[[Last of the Summer Wine]]'', the mentality within [[Golf club (institution)|golf club]]s, and vegetarians. He has made several appearances on the prime time talk shows ''[[Parkinson (TV series)|Parkinson]]'' and ''[[Friday Night with Jonathan Ross]]'' since 2002. By 2003, his persona was deemed to fit the mould for the series ''[[Grumpy Old Men (TV series)|Grumpy Old Men]]'', in which middle-aged men talk about any aspects of modern life which irritate them. Since the topical news panel show ''[[Have I Got News for You]]'' dismissed regular host [[Angus Deayton]] in October 2002, Clarkson has become one of the [[Have I Got News for You#Guest presenters|most regularly used guest host]]s on the show. Clarkson has appeared as a panellist on the political current affairs television show ''[[Question Time (TV series)|Question Time]]'' twice since 2000. On 2 October 2015, he presented ''Have I Got News for You'' again for the first time since his dismissal.<ref>{{cite episode |title=Episode 1 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06g085n |series=Have I Got News for You |series-link=Have I Got News for You |station=[[BBC One]] |date=2 October 2015 |series-no=50 |number=1}}</ref>

[[File:The Grand Tour opening scene shoot (31077806105).jpg|thumb|Clarkson during filming for [[The Holy Trinity (The Grand Tour)|The Holy Trinity]] opening sequence of ''[[The Grand Tour]]'' in the [[Lucerne Valley, California]] in September 2016]]Clarkson received a [[British Academy Television Awards|BAFTA]] nomination for [[British Academy Television Award for Best Entertainment Performance|Best Entertainment Performance]] in 2006. [[Jonathan Ross]] ended up winning the award.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bafta TV Awards 2006: The winners |work=[[BBC Online]] |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4983252.stm |access-date=30 August 2019}}</ref> He won the [[National Television Awards]] Special Recognition Award in 2007, and reportedly earned £1&nbsp;million that same year for his role as a ''Top Gear'' presenter, and a further £1.7&nbsp;million from books, DVDs and newspaper columns.<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/film-and-tv/news/pay-us-the-same-as-clarkson-ndash-or-we-quit-860490.html Pay us the same as Clarkson – or we quit!] ''The Independent'' (London), 5 July 2008</ref> Clarkson and co-presenter James May were the first people to reach the [[north magnetic pole]] in a car also in 2007, chronicled in ''[[Top Gear: Polar Special]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=BBC – Top Gear – The Show – Production Notes – Polar Special |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007v18p |access-date=25 August 2010}}</ref>

Clarkson sustained minor injuries to his legs, back and hand in an intentional collision with a brick wall while making the 12th series of ''Top Gear'' in 2008.<ref>{{cite news |title=Top Gear smash pictures released |work=[[BBC Online]] |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7704928.stm |access-date=21 February 2013}}</ref> In 2014, he received a £4.8&nbsp;million dividend and an £8.4&nbsp;million share buyout from [[BBC Worldwide]], bringing his estimated income for the year to more than £14&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sweney |first=Mark |date=16 July 2013 |title=Top Gear: Jeremy Clarkson netted more than £14m from show last year |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/jul/16/jeremy-clarkson-top-gear-bbc-worldwide |access-date=13 March 2015}}</ref> On 30 July 2015, it was announced that Clarkson, along with former ''[[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Top Gear]]'' hosts [[Richard Hammond]] and [[James May]] would present a new show on [[Amazon Prime Video]]. The first season was made available worldwide in 2016.<ref>{{cite news |last=Plunkett |first=John |title=Top Gear's Clarkson, Hammond and May sign Amazon deal |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jul/30/top-gear-clarkson-hammond-may-amazon-deal-bbc |access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Plunkett |first=John |title=Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May making show for Amazon |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-33715671 |access-date=30 July 2015}}</ref> On 11 May 2016, Clarkson confirmed on his Twitter feed that the series would be titled ''[[The Grand Tour]]'', and air from a different location each week.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ruby |first=Jennifer |date=11 May 2016 |title=Jeremy Clarkson's new Amazon show is called The Grand Tour |work=London Evening Standard |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/tvfilm/jeremy-clarkson-s-new-amazon-show-to-be-called-the-grand-tour-a3245621.html |access-date=11 May 2016}}</ref> On 9 March 2018, it was announced that Clarkson would host a revamped series of ''[[Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (British game show)|Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?]]'' on [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]].<ref>{{cite web |date=9 March 2018 |title=Jeremy Clarkson replaces Chris Tarrant on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-43342726 |website=BBC News}}</ref>

==Opinions and influence==
[[File:Jeremy Clarkson.jpg|thumb|Clarkson in 2006]]

===Politics===
{{Libertarianism in England|people}}
Clarkson identifies as a [[libertarian]] in favour of personal freedom and against government [[Red tape|regulation]], stating that government should "build park benches and that is it. They should leave us alone."<ref name="BBC27May2008">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/wales/7422017.stm |work=BBC News |title=Clarkson: 'I'd be a rubbish PM' |date=27 May 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Cumming |first=Ed |date=2025-05-23 |title=Jeremy Clarkson interview: 'In the past 20 years Britain has fallen off a cliff' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2025/05/23/jeremy-clarkson-interview-clarksons-farm-prime-video/ |access-date=2025-10-13 |work=[[The Telegraph (London)|The Telegraph]] |issn=0307-1235 |quote=As a libertarian, I believe in getting rid of all the legislation.}}</ref> He has a particular contempt for the [[Health and Safety Executive]]. He often criticised the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] governments of [[Tony Blair]] and [[Gordon Brown]], especially what he calls the "ban" culture; he frequently fixates on the bans on [[Smoking ban|smoking]] and [[Hunting Act 2004|2004 ban on fox hunting]]. In April 2013, Clarkson was among 2,000 invited guests to the funeral of [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] Prime Minister [[Margaret Thatcher]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wright |first1=Oliver |last2=Williams |first2=Rob |date=11 April 2013 |title=Jeremy Clarkson, Shirley Bassey and Tony Blair, but no Mikhail Gorbachev: Margaret Thatcher's funeral guest list announced |work=The Independent |location=London |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jeremy-clarkson-shirley-bassey-and-tony-blair-but-no-mikhail-gorbachev-margaret-thatchers-funeral-guest-list-announced-8568236.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=11 March 2015 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220608/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jeremy-clarkson-shirley-bassey-and-tony-blair-but-no-mikhail-gorbachev-margaret-thatchers-funeral-guest-list-announced-8568236.html |archive-date=8 June 2022}}</ref>

In an attempt to prove that the public furore over the [[Loss of United Kingdom child benefit data (2007)|2007 UK child benefit data scandal]] was unjustified, Clarkson published his own bank account number and sort code, together with instructions on how to find out his address, in ''The Sun'' newspaper, expecting nobody to be able to remove money from his account. He later discovered that someone had set up a monthly direct debit for £500 to [[Diabetes UK]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Farnum |first=Michael |date=7 January 2008 |title=Payback for credit fraud nay-sayer |url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/2477923/payback-for-credit-fraud-nay-sayer.html |access-date=16 January 2021 |website=Computerworld}}</ref>

Clarkson supported a Remain vote in the [[2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum]], three days before the referendum, he and fellow presenter James May posted a video stating their support.<ref>{{cite news |date=21 June 2016 |title=Brexit: Which Celebrities Are in and Which Are Out? |work=Newsweek |url=https://www.newsweek.com/brexit-eu-referendum-stephen-hawking-jeremy-clarkson-top-gear-michael-caine-472676}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=20 June 2016 |title=Jeremy Clarkson and James May back remain campaign – video |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/video/2016/jun/20/jeremy-clarkson-james-may-eu-remain-campaign-video |access-date=9 May 2022 |via=www.theguardian.com}}</ref><ref name="msn">{{cite news |date=8 January 2019 |title=Jeremy Clarkson: Trump is Bad, But Brexit is a Thousand Times Worse |work=[[MSN]] |url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/brexit/jeremy-clarkson-trump-is-bad-but-brexit-is-a-thousand-times-worse/ar-BBRXKH1}}</ref> Clarkson did not support [[United Kingdom withdrawal from the European Union|Brexit]], stating that while the European Union has its problems, Britain would not have any influence over the EU, should it leave the Union. He envisions the European Union being turned into a US-like "[[United States of Europe]]", with one army, one currency, and one unifying set of values.<ref name="Independent on Sunday 13 March 2016">{{cite news |last=Oppenheim |first=Maya |date=13 March 2016 |title=Jeremy Clarkson announces he wants Britain to stay in the EU to create a 'United States of Europe' |work=[[The Independent#The Independent on Sunday|The Independent on Sunday]] |location=London |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/jeremy-clarkson-announces-he-wants-britain-to-stay-in-the-eu-to-create-a-united-states-of-europe-a6928556.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=29 November 2017 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220608/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/jeremy-clarkson-announces-he-wants-britain-to-stay-in-the-eu-to-create-a-united-states-of-europe-a6928556.html |archive-date=8 June 2022}}</ref> In 2019, Clarkson said: "Europe has to punish us—they can't allow us to leave without being damaged because then everyone will want to go. We don't want to go if we're going to be damaged."<ref name="msn" /> In a January 2019 interview with [[LBC]], Clarkson called Brexit voters "coffin-dodging idiots", though also criticised the younger voters, who overwhelmingly supported Remain, for their voting inactivity.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jeremy Clarkson Slams "Coffin-Dodging Idiots" Who Voted Brexit |url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/interviews/jeremy-clarkson-slams-coffin-dodging-idiots-who-vo/ |access-date=9 May 2022 |website=LBC}}</ref>

Clarkson's comments have both a large number of supporters and opponents. He often comments on the media-perceived social issues of the day, such as the fear of challenging adolescent youths, which he calls "[[hoodie]]s". In 2007, Clarkson was cleared of allegations of [[assault]]ing a young person while visiting central [[Milton Keynes]], after [[Thames Valley Police]] said that if anything, he had been the victim.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/7130860.stm |work=BBC News
|title=Clarkson quizzed over gang ordeal |date=6 December 2007 |access-date=6 August 2008}}</ref> As a motoring journalist, he is frequently critical of government initiatives such as the [[London congestion charge]] or proposals on [[Motoring taxation in the United Kingdom|road charging]]. He is also frequently scornful of caravanners and cyclists. He has often singled out [[John Prescott]], the former [[Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions|Transport Minister]], and Stephen Joseph,<ref>{{cite news |last=Clarkson |first=Jeremy |date=1 May 2005 |title=Peugeot 1007 – Brilliant, the doors are useless, 1&nbsp;May 2005 |work=[[The Times]] |location=London |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/jeremy_clarkson/article386624.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204023719/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/jeremy_clarkson/article386624.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 December 2008 |access-date=6 August 2008 |quote=So what, exactly, is God's most stupid creation? The pink flamingo, the avocado pear, Stephen Joseph from the pressure group Transport 2000?}}</ref> the head of the public transport pressure group [[Campaign for Better Transport (United Kingdom)|Transport 2000]], for ridicule.

In September 2013, a tweet proposing that he might stand for election as an [[Independent politician|independent candidate]] in [[Doncaster North (UK Parliament constituency)|Doncaster North]], the constituency of the then [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] leader of the opposition, [[Ed Miliband]], was retweeted over 1,000 times&nbsp;— including by John Prescott.<ref>{{cite web |date=14 September 2013 |title=Jeremy Clarkson 'Considering Bid To Be MP' |url=http://news.sky.com/story/1141821/jeremy-clarkson-considering-bid-to-be-mp |publisher=BSkyB}}</ref> Clarkson has been critical of the [[Special Relationship]] between the United States and the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite news |last=Clarkson |first=Jeremy |date=15 March 2009 |title=I'm starting divorce proceedings in this special relationship |work=[[The Times]] |location=London |url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/europe-travel/france/paris/im-starting-divorce-proceedings-in-this-special-relationship-btz2lq2hwjd}}</ref> He referred to the US as the "United States of Total Paranoia", commenting that one needs a permit to do everything except for purchasing weapons.<ref>{{cite news |last=Clarkson |first=Jeremy |date=2 July 2006 |title=The united states of total paranoia |work=[[The Times]] |location=London |url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/uk-travel/england/london-travel/the-united-states-of-total-paranoia-8w0vc2xdsj9}}</ref> In 2017, in response to the United States officially [[United States recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel|recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel]], Clarkson advised [[State of Palestine|Palestinians]] to recognise London as the capital of the United States.<ref>{{cite news |date=9 December 2017 |title=Announce London as the capital of America, Ex-Top Gear star Jeremy Clarkson advises Palestine |work=[[The Siasat Daily]] |url=https://archive.siasat.com/news/announce-london-capital-america-ex-top-gear-star-jeremy-clarkson-advises-palestine-1275948/}}</ref>

In 2020, Clarkson stated that he usually votes for the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]], claiming not to be a natural Tory but "it just happens to be that every time it comes around and you weigh up which is going to provide you with a better life, the better country to live in, then it's usually the Conservatives"; he also mocked the policies of [[Tony Blair]] and [[Jeremy Corbyn]], stating "only an idiot would vote for Corbyn". Clarkson is also a personal friend of former Prime Minister, Conservative leader and Foreign Secretary [[David Cameron]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Saul |first=Heather |date=12 March 2015 |title=Jeremy Clarkson 'punched' Top Gear producer because he wanted a steak |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/jeremy-clarkson-david-cameron-backs-friend-and-huge-talent-after-witnesses-claim-top-gear-fracas-was-over-steak-10102585.html |website=The Independent}}</ref> However, he also expressed support of incumbent Labour leader (current UK Prime Minister) [[Keir Starmer]] and maintained that he was prepared to vote for Labour "if there's an election tomorrow" citing [[Boris Johnson]]'s [[British government response to the COVID-19 pandemic|handling]] of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web |date=6 July 2020 |title=Jeremy Clarkson Says He Could Vote Labour Under Keir Starmer |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/jeremy-clarkson-labour-keir-starmer_uk_5f01c16ac5b612083c5da80f?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAKjIYPvRdHfDoIuWIZypOqD3FKeXmsaya4FOVfe9jTu0FDTmzGTCKM1d156f2iT5gHLu5WygigbFqdb7EAt2GHl9hbPz5CN0OaRnl7TPVdShkU8pbS7AiW1fjFt6FrtDLEHZcSiQ_lq8b14cQTUP4nL1eXUTNlzOhVeawgnP1ucc |publisher=HuffingtonPost}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=6 July 2020 |title=Jeremy Clarkson: I might vote Labour under Keir Starmer |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/jeremy-clarkson-i-might-vote-for-keir-starmer-zftbxkn3r |website=[[The Times]]}}</ref> However, in 2023 he expressed criticism of Starmer's proposed economic and education policies.<ref>{{cite web |date=9 July 2023 |title=Jeremy Clarkson: Starmer's talking out of his oracy. Teach kids to change a tyre |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/jeremy-clarkson-starmers-talking-out-of-his-oracy-teach-kids-to-change-a-tyre-zvbq7zq0b |website=[[The Times]]}}</ref> Ahead of the [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024 general election]], Clarkson reversed his previous view on Starmer and stated "I get, of course, that people are fed up with the Tories, but I'd rather vote for my dog than Sir Starmer's merry bunch of ideological nincompoops" and cited his opposition to Labour's stance on farming.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/jeremy-clarkson-turns-his-guns-on-the-starmer-army/ |title=Jeremy Clarkson turns his guns on the Starmer army |date=24 June 2024 |access-date=24 June 2024}}</ref>

In September 2022, he described [[Socialism|socialists]] as "disgusting people".<ref>{{cite web |date=10 September 2022 |title=Harry Potter star brands Jeremy Clarkson 'rancid old thug' after socialists remark |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/jeremy-clarkson-sean-biggerstaff-queen-death-b2164549.html |access-date=18 September 2022 |website=The Independent}}</ref> Following the [[death of Queen Elizabeth II]], Clarkson shared a statement written by [[Boris Johnson]] on [[Twitter]] and captioned it "I was trying to think of something to say but Boris Johnson has said it all" and referred to the Queen as a "magnificent monarch".<ref>{{cite web |date=9 September 2022 |title=Jeremy Clarkson rendered speechless by death of Queen as he mourns loss of 'magnificent monarch' |url=https://www.oxfordshirelive.co.uk/news/jeremy-clarkson-rendered-speechless-death-7567989 |access-date=16 February 2023 |website=Oxfordshire Live}}</ref> In January 2023, Clarkson argued a [[left-wing]] "coup" had silently taken place in British politics, media and culture, writing "We laugh as they change the name of the Sir Francis Drake Primary School to something less slavey. We think it's all a big joke. But it isn't. Think about what typically happens in a military operation and then look what the [[woke left]] has done here." He finished "At least [[Arthur Scargill]] had the decency to get on a soapbox and state his aims in public. This lot don't. They sit at home, hiding in the impenetrable shadow of anonymity, inventing new rules to ensnare anyone and everyone they deem to be unworthy."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/article/jeremy-clarkson-were-in-the-midst-of-a-coup-who-the-hells-behind-it-kmwjgqcbw |title=Jeremy Clarkson: We're in the midst of a coup. Who the hell's behind it? |access-date=28 March 2023|last=Clarkson |first=Jeremy}}</ref>

In a March 2023 column for ''[[The Times]],'' Clarkson criticised the response to [[JK Rowling]]'s comments on [[transgender]] issues. He wrote that "she wasn't just [[Cancel culture|cancelled]]. She was erased. They put her in the delete bin and then afterwards, all her former fans and even the actors and actresses she'd made famous emptied the bin into a landfill site." However, in the same article, Clarkson also argued that the existence of [[transgender people]] was not a new phenomenon, drawling parallels between the arrests of [[Alan Turing]] and [[Lucy Hicks Anderson]], and that society could grow to accept trans people in the same way it has [[homosexuals]]. However, Clarkson also accused teenage members of [[transgender rights]] movements of turning the debate into a [[culture war]]. He concluded, "I realise, of course, that the whole trans debate has been hijacked by lunatics who glue themselves to stuff and claim to be from a gender that doesn't even exist, and I know too that there is some kind of civil war going on between fiercely women women and women who just say they're women. This creates a noise that's annoying to most of us, but think how infuriating it must be to those who really were born in the wrong body?"<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/society/article/jeremy-clarkson-its-easy-to-roll-our-eyes-at-trans-issues-but-what-if-were-wrong-jqsvg0kcx |title=Jeremy Clarkson: Our culture war is a distraction from the real issues around trans rights |access-date=28 March 2023|last=Clarkson |first=Jeremy}}</ref>

===Criticism of Keir Starmer===
Since 2024, Clarkson has been extremely critical of [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] [[Keir Starmer]] and the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2024/nov/22/jeremy-clarkson-presenter-firebrand-farmer-politician |title=Jeremy Clarkson: presenter, firebrand farmer … politician? |date=November 22, 2024 |last=Boffey |first=Daniel |work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/11/22/jeremy-clarkson-i-would-be-a-terrible-political-leader/ |title=Jeremy Clarkson: I would be a terrible political leader |date=November 23, 2024 |last=Sigsworth |first=Tim|work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |access-date=November 23, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/jeremy-clarkson-farm-inheritance-tax-diddly-squat-b2652388.html |title=Jeremy Clarkson acknowledges glaring problem in hit show |date=November 23, 2024 |last=O'Connor |first=Roisin|work=[[The Independent]] |access-date=November 23, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/environment/article/jeremy-clarkson-starmers-a-nightmare-for-farmers-he-doesnt-even-eat-meat-xz0cz8800 |title=Jeremy Clarkson: Starmer's a nightmare for farmers. He doesn't even eat meat |date=22 November 2024|last= |first=|work=[[The Times]] |access-date=November 23, 2024}}</ref> Clarkson attended the [[November 2024 United Kingdom farmers' protests|England farmers' protests]] in [[London]] where he called tax hikes a "hammer blow to the back of the head" of British agriculture.<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 November 2024 |title=NFU chief hints farmers could take more extreme action after inheritance tax protest |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/farmer-protest-inheritance-tax-next-b2649749.html |access-date=20 November 2024 |work=Independent |language=en}}</ref> Clarkson later labelled Starmer "a nightmare for farmers".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1979681/jeremy-clarkson-slams-starmer-nightmare-for-farmers |title=Jeremy Clarkson slams Starmer as he dubs him 'nightmare for farmers' |date=November 23, 2024 |last=Samuel |first=Chris |work=[[Daily Express]] |access-date=November 25, 2024}}</ref> Starmer is banned from Clarkson's [[pub]], [[The Farmer's Dog]], near [[Burford]];<ref name="auto1">{{cite web |last=Jennie |first=Buzaglo |date=2 September 2024 |title=Jeremy Clarkson issues warning as he bans another person from pub after Keir Starmer|url=https://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/1943361/jeremy-clarkson-warning-keir-starmer-banned-pub | access-date=2 September 2024 |website=ExpressUK}}</ref> Conservative leader [[Kemi Badenoch]] was however invited to discuss Starmer's tax and the future of farming.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/kemi-badenoch-clarkson-farm-tax-b2667755.html | title=Kemi Badenoch meets Jeremy Clarkson amid backlash over Starmer's tractor tax | work=[[The Independent]] | date=20 December 2024}}</ref>

===Environment===
Clarkson is critical of the [[Green politics|green movement]] and [[environmentalism]], including groups such as [[Greenpeace]]—he has called them "eco-mentalists" and "old trade unionists and [[Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament|CND]] lesbians".<ref>[https://www.thetimes.com/uk/environment/article/this-has-been-my-perfect-week-j32mj0vlm5x This has been my perfect week] Clarkson Times column 13 January 2008</ref> He also said that, although he "hate[s] the movement, [he] loves the destination" of environmentalism and believes that people should quietly strive to be more eco-friendly.<ref name="secretgreen" /> He has been dismissive of [[windfarm]]s and [[renewable energy]]<ref>ruralvoice.co.uk, March 2012</ref>{{Better source needed|date=December 2020}} and has spoken in support of [[hydrogen car]]s.<ref name="BBC27May2008" />

Clarkson [[Climate change denial|rejects the scientific consensus]] on [[Global warming|climate change]], believing that anthropogenic [[greenhouse gas emissions]] do not affect the global climate.<ref name="secretgreen">[https://archive.today/20090517211815/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/jeremy_clarkson/article6301096.ece "Okay, you've got me bang to rights&nbsp;— I'm a secret green" ''The Times''], 17 May 2009</ref> He has also expressed doubt that the [[effects of climate change]] are "a bad thing",<ref name="secretgreen" /> saying in 2005 "let's just stop and think for a moment what the consequences might be. [[Climate change in Switzerland|Switzerland]] loses its skiing resorts? The [[Miami Beach|beach in Miami]] is washed away? [[Climate change in North Carolina|North Carolina]] gets knocked over by a hurricane? Anything bothering you yet?"<ref name=ThePeoplevsJeremyClarkson/> However, during a 2019 trip to [[Cambodia]] while filming ''The Grand Tour'', Clarkson acknowledged the "graphic demonstration" of [[climate change in Cambodia|climate change impacts]] on the [[Mekong|Mekong River]] and [[Tonlé Sap]] was "genuinely alarming"; however, he still expressed doubt that it was driven by human activity. Cambodia was undergoing a severe drought during the show's filming.<ref>{{cite web |date=24 November 2019 |title=Jeremy Clarkson finally recognises climate crisis during Asia trip |url=http://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/nov/24/jeremy-clarkson-climate-crisis-cambodia-trip-grand-tour |access-date=10 December 2020 |website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2 December 2019 |title=The Grand Tour: Jeremy Clarkson show confronts climate change |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-50516797 |access-date=10 December 2020}}</ref> Clarkson is against [[Individual and political action on climate change|climate activism]],<ref>{{cite web |date=17 April 2019 |title=Jeremy Clarkson slams climate change protesters as 'happy clappy eco vicars' |url=https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/17/grand-tours-jeremy-clarkson-hits-climate-change-protesters-police-cant-anything-knife-crime-9242441/ |access-date=26 December 2020 |website=Metro}}</ref> and has often made personal attacks against teenage activist [[Greta Thunberg]], whom he has called "a spoilt brat".<ref name=":3">{{cite web |date=30 September 2019 |title=Jeremy Clarkson host blasts Greta as 'spoilt brat' |url=https://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/climate-change/emily-clarkson-takes-aim-at-middleaged-men-as-her-extop-gear-host-father-calls-greta-thunberg-a-spoilt-brat/news-story/5c2d9b5251702eacc0a00c2c84b956ec |access-date=27 December 2020 |website=NewsComAu}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=6 December 2019 |title=UK broadcaster Jeremy Clarkson calls Greta Thunberg 'mad and dangerous' |url=https://reuters.com/video/2019/12/06/uk-broadcaster-jeremy-clarkson-calls-gre/?videoId=637557331&videoChannel=118298 |access-date=27 December 2020 |website=Reuters Video}}{{Dead link|date=June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Jeremy |last=Clarkson |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/jeremy-clarkson-if-greta-and-her-pals-really-want-to-get-results-they-should-try-protesting-in-tiananmen-square-0scqpwg5q |title=Jeremy Clarkson: If Greta and her pals really want to get results, they should try protesting in Tiananmen Square" |work=[[The Sunday Times]] |date=7 November 2021 |accessdate= 14 November 2021}}</ref>

Environmentalists have protested or heckled Clarkson on a number of occasions for his views, including at his honorary degree ceremony at [[Oxford Brookes University]], where a protester [[pieing|threw a banana meringue pie]] in his face in September 2005, and in 2009 when activist group [[Climate Rush]] dumped horse manure on his lawn.<ref name=":10" /><ref>{{cite news |date=17 September 2009 |title=Jeremy Clarkson targeted in manure dump protest by climate campaigners |work=The Guardian |url=http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/sep/17/jeremy-clarkson-horse-manure-protest |access-date=26 December 2020}}</ref> Clarkson's comments on Greta Thunberg were criticised by his own daughter.<ref name=":3" />

===Himself===
Whilst Clarkson states such views as described above in his columns and in public appearances, his public persona does not necessarily represent his personal views. He acknowledged whilst interviewing [[Alastair Campbell]] on ''Top Gear'', saying "I don't believe what I write, any more than you [Campbell] believe what you say".<ref>[''Top Gear'' Series 15, Episode 2]</ref>

Clarkson has been described as a "skillful propagandist for the motoring lobby" by ''[[The Economist]]''.<ref>{{cite news |date=22 February 2007 |title=Lessons from London's congestion charge |newspaper=The Economist |format=Fee required |url=http://www.economist.com/world/britain/displaystory.cfm?story_id=8746347 |access-date=4 March 2007}}</ref> With a forthright and sometimes deadpan delivery, Clarkson is said to thrive on the notoriety his public comments bring, and has risen to the level of the [[wikt:bête noire|bête noire]] of the various groups who disagree with his views. On the [[Channel 4]]-organised viewer poll, for the ''100 Worst Britons We Love to Hate'' programme, Clarkson polled in 66th place. By 2005, Clarkson was perceived by the press to have upset so many people and groups, ''[[The Independent]]'' put him on trial for various "crimes", declaring him guilty on most counts.<ref name="ThePeoplevsJeremyClarkson">{{cite news |date=13 November 2005 |title=The People vs Jeremy Clarkson |work=The Independent |location=London |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/the-people-vs-jeremy-clarkson-515063.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220608/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/the-people-vs-jeremy-clarkson-515063.html |archive-date=8 June 2022}}</ref>

===Media===
Responses to Clarkson's comments are often directed personally, with derogatory comments about residents of [[Norfolk]] leading to some residents organising a "We hate Jeremy Clarkson" club. In ''The Guardian's'' 2007 'Media 100' list, which lists the top 100 most "powerful people in the [media] industry", based on cultural, economic and political influence in the UK, Clarkson was listed as a new entrant at 74th. Some critics even attribute Clarkson's actions and views as being influential enough to be responsible for the closure of [[MG Rover Group|Rover]] and the [[Luton]] manufacturing plant of [[Vauxhall Motors|Vauxhall]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Hearn |first=Adrian |date=13 April 2007 |title=Clarkson versus the world |url=http://www.autotrader.co.uk/EDITORIAL/CARS/FEATURES/33909.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718221346/http://www.autotrader.co.uk/EDITORIAL/CARS/FEATURES/33909.html |archive-date=18 July 2012 |access-date=14 November 2021 |website=[[Auto Trader Group|AutoTrader.co.uk]]}}</ref> Clarkson's comments about Rover prompted workers to hang an "Anti-Clarkson Campaign" banner outside the defunct [[Longbridge plant]] in its last days.

The BBC often played down his comments as ultimately not having the weight they were ascribed. In 2007, they described Clarkson as "not a man given to considered opinion",<ref name=wdytya/> and in response to an official complaint another BBC spokeswoman once said: "Jeremy's colourful comments are always entertaining, but they are his own comments and not those of the BBC. More often than not they are said with a twinkle in his eye."<ref name="Clarksoninthedoghouse">{{cite news |date=26 October 1998 |title=Clarkson in the doghouse |work=BBC News |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/201675.stm |access-date=2 August 2006}}</ref> On his chat show, ''Clarkson'', he caused upset to the [[Welsh people|Welsh]] by placing a 3D plastic map of Wales into a microwave oven and switching it on. He later defended this by saying, "I put Wales in there because Scotland wouldn't fit."<ref>{{cite news |last=Hargreaves |first=Ian |date=5 February 2001 |title=A nation mocked too much |work=The [[New Statesman]] |url=http://www.newstatesman.com/200102050015 |url-status=dead |access-date=22 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014072114/http://www.newstatesman.com/200102050015 |archive-date=14 October 2008}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated2002">{{cite news |date=31 October 2002 |title=Biker banned days after TV gaffe |work=BBC News Wales |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/2383275.stm |access-date=22 July 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=McCarthy |first=James |date=6 January 2008 |title=Wales snubs bid to make Clarkson PM |work=Wales on Sunday |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/01/06/wales-snubs-bid-to-make-clarkson-prime-minister-91466-20316714/ |url-status=dead |access-date=22 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205194122/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/01/06/wales-snubs-bid-to-make-clarkson-prime-minister-91466-20316714/ |archive-date=5 December 2008}}</ref>

===Recognition===
In 2005, Clarkson received an honorary [[Doctor of Engineering]] degree from  [[Oxford Brookes University]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Jeremy Clarkson, Doctor of Engineering (HonDEng) |url=http://www.brookes.ac.uk/about/honorary/profiles/jeremy_clarkson |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091229164455/http://www.brookes.ac.uk/about/honorary/profiles/jeremy_clarkson |archive-date=29 December 2009 |publisher=Oxford Brookes University}}</ref> His [[#Environment|views]] on the environment precipitated a small demonstration at the award ceremony for his honorary degree, when Clarkson was [[pieing|pied]] by road protester [[Rebecca Lush]].<ref name=":10">{{cite news |last=Curtis |first=Polly |date=12 September 2005 |title=Clarkson hit by pie at degree ceremony |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2005/sep/12/highereducation.television1 |access-date=2 August 2006 |quote=The controversial BBC motoring presenter Jeremy Clarkson today received an honorary degree from Oxford Brookes University&nbsp;— and a banana meringue pie in the face from an environmental protester. Mr Clarkson was met by a peaceful demonstration of around 20 activists who objected to his being awarded the degree. During a photocall following the ceremony one campaigner threw the pie, which protesters later claimed was organic, in his face.}}</ref> Clarkson took this incident in good humour, responding "good shot" and subsequently referring to Lush as "Banana girl".<ref>''[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/oxfordshire/4235742.stm Degree honour Clarkson hit by pie]'', BBC News, 12 September 2005.</ref>

In 2008, an [[internet petition]] was posted on the Prime Minister's [[10 Downing Street|Number 10]] website to "Make Jeremy Clarkson [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]]". By the time it closed, it had attracted 49,446 signatures. An opposing petition posted on the same site set to "Never, Ever Make Jeremy Clarkson Prime Minister" attracted 87 signatures. Clarkson later commented he would be a rubbish Prime Minister as he is always contradicting himself in his columns.<ref name=BBC27May2008/> In the official response to the petition, Number 10 agreed with Clarkson's comments.<ref>{{cite web |date=19 August 2008 |title=[ARCHIVED CONTENT&#93; PMClarkson – epetition response |url=http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page16590 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323161132/http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page16590 |archive-date=23 March 2010 |access-date=25 August 2010 |publisher=Number10.gov.uk}}</ref>

In response to the reactions he gets, Clarkson has stated "I enjoy this back and forth, it makes the world go round but it is just opinion."<ref name=BBC27May2008/> On the opinion that his views are influential enough to topple car companies, he has argued that he has proof that he has had no influence. "When I said that the [[Ford Orion]] was the worst car ever it went on to become a best-selling car."<ref name=BBC27May2008/> Clarkson was ranked 49th on ''[[Motor Trend]]'' Magazine's Power List for 2011, its list of the fifty most influential figures in the automotive industry.<ref>{{cite web |date=13 December 2010 |title=BBC Top Gear Host Jeremy Clarkson – 2011 Power List |url=http://www.motortrend.com/features/consumer/1102_the_2011_power_list/jeremy_clarkson.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017194658/http://www.motortrend.com/features/consumer/1102_the_2011_power_list/jeremy_clarkson.html |archive-date=17 October 2015 |access-date=30 August 2011 |publisher=Motor Trend}}</ref> In 2023 and 2024, he was voted "sexiest man" in the UK.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hellorayo.co.uk/hits-radio/entertainment/celebrity/jeremy-clarkson-uk-sexiest-man/|title=Jeremy Clarkson has been voted the 'UK's sexiest man'}}</ref>

==Other interests==
===Military interests===
Clarkson has a keen interest in the [[British Armed Forces]]. Several of his DVDs and television shows have featured a military theme, such as flying in military jets or several Clarkson-focused ''Top Gear'' spots having a military theme such as Clarkson escaping a [[Challenger 2]] tank in a [[Range Rover]], a [[Lotus Exige]] evading missile lock from an [[AgustaWestland Apache|Apache]] attack helicopter, a platoon of [[Irish Guards]]men shooting at a [[Porsche Boxster]] and [[Mercedes-Benz SLK]], or using a [[Ford Fiesta]] as a [[Royal Marine]] landing craft. In October 2005, Clarkson visited [[Operation Telic|British troops]] in [[Baghdad]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hamilton |first1=Fiona |last2=Coates |first2=Sam |last3=Savage |first3=Michael |date=8 November 2005 |title=Clarkson and Gill in Baghdad your views |work=[[The Times]] |location=London |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/clarkson-and-gill-in-baghdad-your-views-03pnw0gzjbb |access-date=6 May 2010}}</ref>

In 2003, Clarkson presented ''[[The Victoria Cross: For Valour]]'', looking at [[List of Victoria Cross recipients|recipients of the Victoria Cross]], in particular focusing on his father-in-law, [[Robert Henry Cain]], who received a [[Victoria Cross|VC]] for actions during the [[Battle of Arnhem]] in the [[Second World War]].<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0407290/] ''The Victoria Cross: For Valour'' at the Internet Movie Database</ref> In 2007, Clarkson wrote and presented ''Jeremy Clarkson: Greatest Raid of All Time'', a documentary about [[St Nazaire Raid|Operation Chariot]] in the Second World War, a 1942 Commando raid on the docks of [[Saint-Nazaire]] in occupied France. At the end of 2007, Clarkson became a patron of [[Help for Heroes]],<ref name="patrons">{{cite web |title=Help for Heroes official site |url=http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/patrons.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231021135/http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/patrons.html |archive-date=31 December 2010 |access-date=25 August 2010 |publisher=Helpforheroes.org.uk}}</ref> a charity aiming to raise money to provide better facilities to wounded British [[Soldier|servicemen]]. His effort led to the 2007 Christmas appeal in ''The Sunday Times'' supporting Help for Heroes.<ref name="hfh">{{cite news |last1=Hamilton |first1=Fiona |last2=Coates |first2=Sam |last3=Savage |first3=Michael |date=2 December 2007 |title=Clarkson's hero |work=[[The Times]] |location=UK |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/specials/sunday_times_appeal/article2982756.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629132118/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/specials/sunday_times_appeal/article2982756.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 June 2011 |access-date=4 March 2011}}</ref>

===Engineering interests===
Clarkson is passionate about engineering, especially pioneering work. In ''Inventions That Changed the World'' Clarkson showcased the invention of the gun, computer, jet engine, telephone and television. He has previously criticised the engineering feats of the 20th century as merely improvements on the truly innovative inventions of the [[Industrial Revolution]]. He cites the lack of any source of alternative power for cars, other than by "small explosions". In ''[[100 Greatest Britons|Great Britons]]'', as part of a public poll to find the greatest historical Briton, Clarkson was the chief supporter for [[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]], a prominent engineer during the Industrial Revolution credited with numerous innovations. Despite this, he also has a passion for many modern examples of engineering. In ''Speed'' and ''Extreme Machines'', Clarkson rides and showcases numerous vehicles and machinery. Clarkson was awarded an honorary degree from [[Brunel University]] on 12 September 2003, partly because of his work in popularising engineering, and partly because of his advocacy of Brunel.<ref>{{cite web |date=July 2003 |title=Graduation Ceremonies 2003—Honorary Degree for Jeremy Clarkson |url=http://www.brunel.ac.uk/news/july03/degree03/clarkson2.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030802003547/http://www.brunel.ac.uk/news/july03/degree03/clarkson2.html |archive-date=2 August 2003 |access-date=19 August 2020 |publisher=Brunel University}}</ref>

In his book ''I Know You Got Soul'', he describes many machines that he believes possess a [[soul]]. He cited the [[Air France Flight 4590|Concorde crash]] as his inspiration, feeling a sadness for the demise of the machine as well as the passengers. Clarkson was a passenger on the last [[British Airways|BA]] [[Concorde]] flight, on 24 October 2003. Paraphrasing [[Neil Armstrong]], he described the retirement of the fleet as "This is one small step for a man, but one huge leap backwards for mankind".<ref>{{cite book |last=Flintoff |first=John-Paul |title=Through the Eye of a Needle |publisher=Permanent Publications |year=2010 |isbn=9781856230452 |page=80}}</ref>

He briefly acquired an [[English Electric Lightning]] F1A [[fighter aircraft|jet fighter]] XM172 former [[RAF Coltishall]] gate guard, which was installed in the front garden of his country home. The Lightning was subsequently removed on the orders of the local council, which "wouldn't believe my claim that it was a leaf blower", according to Clarkson on a Tiscali Motoring webchat. The whole affair was set up for his programme ''Speed'', the Lightning was later returned to [[Wycombe Air Park]].<ref>[http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/lightning/survivorspics1.html] ''English Electric Lightning – Pictures – Survivors''. Retrieved 27 April 2007.</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Thunder & Lightnings – English Electric Lightning – Survivor XM172 |url=https://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/lightning/survivor.php?id=31 |access-date=4 January 2022 |website=www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The HUEY crew attend a garden party |url=https://www.huey.co.uk/news33.php |access-date=4 January 2022 |website=www.huey.co.uk}}</ref>

In a ''Top Gear'' episode, Clarkson drove the [[Bugatti Veyron]] in a race across Europe against a [[Cessna 182 Skylane|Cessna 182]] piloted by co-presenter James May. The Veyron was an £850,000 technology demonstrator project built by [[Volkswagen Group|Volkswagen]] to become the fastest production car, but a practical road car at the same time. In building such an ambitious machine, Clarkson described the project as "a triumph for lunacy over common sense, a triumph for man over nature and a triumph for Volkswagen over absolutely every other car maker in the world."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070214104843/http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/driving/jeremy_clarkson/article596580.ece ''Time Online'' Bugatti Veyron&nbsp;— Utterly, stunningly, jaw droppingly brilliant], 27 November 2005</ref> After winning the race, Clarkson announced that "It's quite a hollow victory really, because I've got to go for the rest of my life knowing that I'll never own that car. I'll never experience that power again."<ref>{{cite episode |series=Top Gear |series-link=Top Gear (2002 TV series) |network=BBC Two |date=11 December 2005 |series-no=7 |number=5}}</ref>

==Cars==
Vehicles Clarkson has owned:
{{div col}}
* [[Range Rover (L322)|Range Rover Autobiography V8]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Clarkson |first=Jeremy |date=15 March 2009 |title=Range Rover TDV8 Vogue SE |work=The Sunday Times |location=London |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/range-rover-tdv8-vogue-se-3ng68tlbqkz |access-date=4 March 2011}}</ref>
* [[Mercedes-Benz 600 Grosser|Mercedes-Benz 600 Grosser LWB]] (featured in Top Gear Series 11 Episode 5, compared against James May's Rolls-Royce Corniche)<ref name="clarkson-mx5">{{cite news |last=Clarkson |first=Jeremy |date=13 January 2008 |title=Mazda MX-5: It's far too cool for you, Mr Footballer |work=The Sunday Times |location=London |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/mazda-mx-5-mhfldndpxd6 |access-date=18 January 2025}}</ref>
* [[Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV6]] (from The Grand Tour, Series 3&nbsp;— "Well Aged Scotch")<ref name="motoringresearch1">{{cite web |date=21 September 2018 |title=Jeremy Clarkson's Cars |url=https://www.motoringresearch.com/car-news/features/clarksons-crazy-car-collection/ |access-date=23 December 2018 |publisher=Motoring Research |archive-date=27 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927195632/https://www.motoringresearch.com/car-news/features/clarksons-crazy-car-collection/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Range Rover (L405)|Range Rover Vogue SE]]<ref>{{cite web |date=11 January 2021 |title=Jeremy Clarkson loves Range Rovers so much he'll ignore the new one's biggest problem |url=https://www.driving.co.uk/car-reviews/guess-many-stars-jeremy-clarkson-given-new-range-rover/ |access-date=11 March 2021 |publisher=Sunday Times Driving}}</ref>
* [[Bentley Flying Spur (2005)#Third generation (2019–present)|Bentley Flying Spur]]<ref>{{cite web |date=19 January 2021 |title=Jeremy's new car breaks down |url=https://drivetribe.com/p/so-sad-my-60th-birthday-present-HdBd8kJfTVi8Exu6tOg-QA?iid=ZlnkphHRR1GsHCjncaUIDA |access-date=4 March 2021 |publisher=DriveTribe |archive-date=5 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210905115627/https://drivetribe.com/p/so-sad-my-60th-birthday-present-HdBd8kJfTVi8Exu6tOg-QA?iid=ZlnkphHRR1GsHCjncaUIDA |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* "The Excellent" (Land Rover Discovery and [[Mercedes-Benz SL-Class|Mercedes SL]] Combination from the Grand Tour Series 1, Episode 9)
* [[Lamborghini Trattori]] R8 270 DCR (a tractor for his [[Clarkson's Farm|farm]])<ref>{{cite web |date=9 May 2020 |title=Jeremy Clarkson has bought a new Lamborghini (tractor) |url=https://www.driving.co.uk/news/diversions/clarksons-farm/jeremy-clarkson-bought-lamborghini/ |access-date=15 July 2022 |website=Driving.co.uk from The Sunday Times}}</ref>
* [[Lincoln Continental Mark V]] (from The Grand Tour, Series 4&nbsp;— "Lochdown")<ref>{{cite news |last=Clarkson |first=Jeremy |title=why The Grand Tour's Scotland special is our daftest yet |work=Sunday Times Driving |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/jeremy-clarkson-the-grand-tour-scotland-special-2021-season-five-vlp7bdgxc |access-date=6 August 2022}}</ref>
* [[Mini]]<ref>{{cite web |date=9 May 2020 |title=Jeremy Clarkson fans express concerns over his Xmas gift from 'stupidly generous' daughter |url=https://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/1541143/Jeremy-Clarkson-car-mini-instagram-daughter-emily-christmas-news |access-date=6 August 2022 |website=Express.co.uk}}</ref>
* [[Jaguar F-Type]]<ref>{{cite web |date=20 August 2023 |title=The Clarkson Review: My new old Jaguar F Type is a bit of all white|url=https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/article/the-clarkson-review-my-new-old-jaguar-f-type-is-a-bit-all-white-53rkbt29n |access-date=26 August 2023 |website=The Sunday Times}}</ref>
* [[Range Rover (L460)|Range Rover P530 Autobiography]]<ref>{{cite web |date=7 January 2024 |title=The Clarkson Review: my new Range Rover P530 Autobiography is so hard to steal, I couldn't get into it|url=https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/driving/article/the-clarkson-review-a-range-rover-so-hard-to-steal-i-cant-get-in-zcrbc5jtk|access-date=13 February 2024 |website=The Sunday Times}}</ref>
* [[Jaguar F-Type|Jaguar F-Type S]]
* [[Ford Cortina]]<ref name="motoringresearch1" />
* [[Volkswagen Scirocco 1]]<ref name="Round the bend 2">{{cite book |last=Clarkson |first=Jeremy |title=Round the Bend |publisher=Penguin Books Ltd |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-7181-5842-2 |pages=140–141}}</ref>
* [[Volkswagen Scirocco 2]]<ref name="Round the bend 2" />
* [[Honda CR-X]]<ref name="Round the bend" />
* [[BMW 3.0L CSL]]<ref name="Round the bend" />
* [[BMW Z1]]<ref name="topgear.com">{{cite web |date=5 March 1997 |title=Jeremy Clarkson on Sports Cars |url=https://www.topgear.com/car-news/jeremy-clarkson/clarkson-sports-cars-0 |access-date=1 May 2020 |publisher=topgear.com}}</ref>
* [[Ford Escort RS Cosworth]]<ref>{{cite web |date=31 August 2007 |title=Top Gear Star Clarkson's Ford for sale |url=http://autotrader.co.uk/EDITORIAL/CARS/news/AUTOTRADER/CELEBRITYCARS/36043.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091210125600/http://autotrader.co.uk/EDITORIAL/CARS/news/AUTOTRADER/CELEBRITYCARS/36043.html |archive-date=10 December 2009 |access-date=11 March 2017 |publisher=Autotrader}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Clarkson |first=Jeremy |date=15 August 2016 |title=Jeremy Clarkson's Star Cars |work=Sunday Times |url=https://www.driving.co.uk/car-reviews/clarkson/jeremy-clarksons-star-cars-201516/ |access-date=11 March 2017}}</ref>
* [[Ferrari F355]]<ref name="Round the bend" />
* [[Toyota Land Cruiser]]<ref>{{cite AV media |title=[[Clarkson's Car Years]]: The All New Family Car 2000 |date=2000 |publisher=BBC}}</ref>
* [[Jaguar XJ (X308)#XJR|Jaguar XJR]]<ref name="motoringresearch1" />
* [[Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG]]<ref>{{cite web |date=27 September 2015 |title=Jeremy Clarkson's SL55 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vSL4K3G3Y0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/6vSL4K3G3Y0 |archive-date=12 December 2021 |access-date=23 December 2018 |publisher=youtube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
* [[Volvo XC90]]<ref name="TimesOnlineVolvo">{{cite news |last=Clarkson |first=Jeremy |date=18 January 2009 |title=Volvo XC90 |work=[[The Times]] |location=London |url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/advice/volvo-xc90-pfmzgd37dzb}}</ref>
* [[Lotus Elise 111S]]<ref>The world according to Clarkson, ''Sunday Times'', 30 April 2006</ref>
* [[Ford GT]]<ref name="Top Gear 8-1" />
* [[Ford Focus]]<ref name=":2">{{cite book |title=Top Gear : the official annual 2009. |date=2008 |publisher=BBC Children's |isbn=9781405904551 |location=London |page=6 |oclc=262682080}}</ref>
* [[Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG]]<ref>{{cite web |last=Clarkson |first=Jeremy |date=13 May 2012 |title=The Clarkson review: Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG (2012) |url=http://www.driving.co.uk/clarkson/mercedes-benz/slk/21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130504234931/http://www.driving.co.uk/clarkson/mercedes-benz/slk/21 |archive-date=4 May 2013 |access-date=2 August 2013 |publisher=Driving.co.uk}}</ref>
* [[Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder]]<ref name="Round the bend" />
* [[Aston Martin V8 Vantage (2005)|Aston Martin V8 Vantage]]<ref name="Round the bend" />
* [[Mercedes CLK63 AMG Black|Mercedes CLK63 AMG Black Series]]<ref name="Round the bend">{{cite book |last=Clarkson |first=Jeremy |title=Round the Bend |publisher=Penguin Books Ltd |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-7181-5842-2 |page=230}}</ref>
* [[Mercedes-Benz CL-Class (C215)|Mercedes-Benz CL 600]]<ref>{{cite web |date=15 August 2011 |title=Jeremy's CL Inspected |work=Top Gear |url=https://www.topgear.com/car-news/inspection-jeremy’s-£6995-cl600 |access-date=6 January 2020 |publisher=topgear.com}}</ref>
* [[Volkswagen Golf GTI]]<ref>{{cite web |date=27 September 2015 |title=Jeremy Clarkson Drives a Volkswagen Golf GTI, Captain Power Doesn't Care About its Emissions |url=http://www.autoevolution.com/news/jeremy-clarkson-drives-a-volkswagen-golf-gti-he-doesn-t-care-about-its-emissions-100396.html |access-date=23 January 2017 |publisher=autoevolution}}</ref>
* [[Bentley Continental GT#Continental GT V8 (2012–2018)|Modified Bentley Continental GT V8]] (from The Grand Tour "A Massive Hunt" in Series 4)<ref>{{cite web |date=6 December 2020 |title=Madagascar Special was The Grand Tour's Toughest Trip yet, says Jeremy Clarkson |url=https://www.driving.co.uk/news/madagascar-special-grand-tours-toughest-trip-yet-says-jeremy-clarkson/ |access-date=8 December 2020 |work=Sunday Times Driving}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=14 January 2021 |title=Madagascar Special was The Grand Tour's Toughest Trip yet, says Jeremy Clarkson |url=https://www.hotcars.com/heres-what-happened-to-jeremy-clarksons-bentley-from-the-grand-tour-madagascar-special/ |access-date=10 March 2022 |publisher=HOTCARS}}</ref>
* [[Jeep Wrangler (TJ)|Jeep Wrangler]]<ref>{{cite web |date=26 July 2019 |title=Jeremy Clarkson reveals what happens to Grand Tour Cars |url=https://www.driving.co.uk/news/madagascar-special-grand-tours-toughest-trip-yet-says-jeremy-clarkson/ |access-date=15 August 2019 |publisher=Metro}}</ref> (from The Grand Tour, Series 3&nbsp;— "Colombia Special")
* [[Range Rover (L405)|Range Rover TDV8 Vogue SE]]<ref>{{cite web |date=10 January 2021 |title=The Clarkson Review: Range Rover 350D Vogue SE |url=https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/driving/article/the-clarkson-review-range-rover-350d-vogue-se-ffk5pqg2v |access-date=11 March 2021 |website=The Sunday Times}}</ref>
{{div col end}}
[[File:Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder (4061512755).jpg|thumb|[[Lamborghini Gallardo|Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder]] once owned by Clarkson]]
Clarkson wanted to purchase the [[Ford GT]] after admiring its inspiration, the [[Ford GT40]] race cars of the 1960s. Clarkson was able to secure a place on the shortlist for the few cars that would be imported to Britain to official customers, only through knowing Ford's head of [[public relations|PR]] through a previous job. After waiting years and facing an increased price, he found many technical problems with the car. After "the most miserable month's motoring possible", he returned it to Ford for a full refund. After a short period, including asking ''Top Gear'' fans for advice over the Internet, he bought back his GT. He called it "the most unreliable car ever made", because he was never able to complete a return journey with it.<ref name="Top Gear 8-1">''Top Gear'', Season 8, Episode 1 7 May 2006</ref>

In 2006, Clarkson ordered a [[Lamborghini Gallardo#Gallardo Spyder (2006-2007)|Gallardo Spyder]] and sold the Ford GT to make way for it. In August 2008, he sold the Gallardo, because "idiots in Peugeots kept trying to race [him] in it".<ref>Jeremy Clarkson&nbsp;— "The Italian Job" DVD</ref> In October, he announced that he had sold his Volvo XC90. In January 2009, in a review of the car printed in ''The Times'', he wrote: "I've just bought my third Volvo XC90 in a row and the simple fact is this: It takes six children to school in the morning."<ref name=TimesOnlineVolvo/>

===Likes===
[[File:Lexus LFA 001.JPG|thumb|The [[Lexus LFA]], considered by Clarkson to be the best car he has ever driven]]
{{Blockquote|You can't be a true petrolhead until you've owned an [[Alfa Romeo]].|Jeremy Clarkson}}
Clarkson has spoken highly of the Czech-made [[Škoda Yeti]], calling it possibly the best car in the world; he used 20 minutes of a ''Top Gear'' episode putting the Yeti through a number of challenges to support his point.<ref>{{cite web |title=Clarkson drives a Sokda Yeti |url=http://www.topgear.com/uk/videos/clarkson-drives-a-skoda-yeti-part-1-series-16-episode-1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111108061300/http://www.topgear.com/uk/videos/clarkson-drives-a-skoda-yeti-part-1-series-16-episode-1 |archive-date=8 November 2011 |access-date=8 November 2011 |website=Top Gear |publisher=BCC Worldwide Ltd.}}</ref> Clarkson called the [[Alfa Romeo Brera and Spider|Brera]], Alfa's latest sports car, "Cameron Diaz on wheels".<ref>[http://www.autoblog.com/2006/01/28/alfa-romeo-brera-marketing-video-released/ ''Alfa Romeo Brera marketing video released'' at Autoblog]. Retrieved 27 April 2007.</ref> Clarkson has expressed fondness for late-model V8 [[Holden]]s, available in the UK [[Vauxhall Monaro|rebadged as Vauxhalls]]. Of the [[Holden Monaro|Monaro]] he said, "It's like they had a picture of me on their desk and said <nowiki>[</nowiki>[[Australian English|Australian accent]]<nowiki>]</nowiki> 'Let's build that bloke a car!'" and "I can't believe it... I've fallen in love... with a Vauxhall!"<ref>
{{cite AV media |title=''Top Gear'' 2&nbsp;January&nbsp;2005 |type=TV |publisher=BBC |place=London |people=Jeremy Clarkson <!--|access-date=24 July 2005-->}}</ref> Clarkson suffered two [[Spinal disc herniation|slipped discs]] that he attributed to driving the Monaro, which he described as being "back-breakingly marvellous".<ref>"Vauxhall Monaro VXR: It's back-breakingly marvellous", ''The Sunday Times Online'', 10 July 2005.</ref> Clarkson considers the [[Lexus LFA]] as the best car he has ever driven.<ref>{{cite news |date=3 February 2013 |title=Jeremy Clarkson's Top Gear Love Letter to the Lexus LFA |work=Lexus Enthusiast |url=https://lexusenthusiast.com/2013/02/03/jeremy-clarksons-top-gear-love-letter-to-the-lexus-lfa/ |access-date=8 March 2015}}</ref>

During ''Top Gear''{{'}}s [[Top Gear: Patagonia Special|Patagonia Special]], Clarkson said that the [[Porsche 928]] was a car that was close to his heart because he was given the car to test for the series in 1994 and used it unexpectedly to drive from [[London]] to [[Sheffield]] to visit his dying father in hospital. Clarkson said that had he not driven the Porsche 928 (which was fast enough that a chicken he had cooked was "still warm" by the time he arrived in Sheffield) he "wouldn't have had the opportunity to say goodbye to [his] dad".

===Dislikes===
[[File:2001 Vauxhall Vectra Club 1.8 Front.jpg|thumb|Clarkson expressed hatred towards the [[Opel Vectra|Vauxhall Vectra]].]]
Clarkson dislikes the British car brand [[Rover (marque)|Rover]], the last major British owned and built car manufacturer. This view stretched back to the company's time as part of [[British Leyland]]. Describing the history of the company up to its last flagship modell, the [[Rover 75]], he paraphrased [[Winston Churchill]] and stated "Never in the field of human endeavour has so much been done, so badly, by so many", citing issues with the rack and pinion steering system. In the latter years of the company, Clarkson blamed the "uncool" brand image as being more of a hindrance to sales than any faults with the cars. On its demise, Clarkson stated "I cannot even get teary and emotional about the demise of the company itself&nbsp;— though I do feel sorry for the workforce." Clarkson has also expressed hatred for the [[Toyota Prius]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Clarkson |first=Jeremy |date=24 April 2005 |title=Goodbye, Rover. Sorry, I won't be shedding a tear |work=[[The Times]] |location=London |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sunday-times-100-tech/hardware-profile/article/goodbye-rover-sorry-i-wont-be-shedding-a-tear-xdjcbh337nj |access-date=22 July 2022}}</ref> [[Nissan Juke]]<ref>{{cite web |title=The Nigel Awards – The Grand Tour | website=[[YouTube]] | date=10 July 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTHXmtNVLWs |access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref> and [[Citroën 2CV|Citroen 2CV]].<ref>{{cite web |date=16 August 2018 |title=Hated by Top Gear star Jeremy Clarkson – but Norfolk loves a Citroen 2CV |url=https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/20799738.hated-top-gear-star-jeremy-clarkson---norfolk-loves-citroen-2cv/ |access-date=23 March 2024 |website=Eastern Daily Press}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Jeremy Clarkson and James May talking about French cars weirdness I Carnage a Trois | website=[[YouTube]] | date=19 December 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBTt5NjVqLA |access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref>

Clarkson has also criticised Vauxhalls<ref>
{{cite news |last=White |first=Roland |date=6 November 2005 |title=Lib Dem MP identifies Clarkson as a global threat |page=17 |work=The Sunday Times}}</ref><ref name="AstraSRi">{{cite news |last=Clarkson |first=Jeremy |date=5 June 2005 |title=Vauxhall Astra SRi: Vauxhall, I forgive you (almost) everything |work=[[The Times]] |location=London |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/vauxhall-astra-sri-s69dh56d2kp |access-date=5 February 2007}}</ref> and has described Vauxhall's then parent company, [[General Motors]], as a "pensions and healthcare" company which sees the "car making side of the business as an expensive loss-making nuisance".<ref name="AstraSRi" /> Clarkson has expressed particular disdain for the [[Vauxhall Vectra]], describing it as:
{{blockquote|"One of my least favourite cars in the world. I've always hated it because I've always felt it was designed in a coffee break by people who couldn't care less about cars" and "one of the worst chassis I've ever come across."<ref>{{cite AV media |title=''Top Gear'' 16&nbsp;July&nbsp;2006 |type=TV |publisher=BBC |place=London |people=Jeremy Clarkson <!--|access-date=5 February 2007-->}}</ref>}}

After a ''Top Gear'' piece by Clarkson for its launch in 1995, described by ''The Independent'' as "not doing [GM] any favours",<ref>{{cite news |last=O'Grady |first=Sean |date=13 September 2005 |title=Vroom with a view: The crown prince of petrolheads; Jeremy Clarkson is the self-appointed scourge of the green movement. |work=The Independent |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20050913/ai_n15365556 |url-status=dead |access-date=23 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060313013209/http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20050913/ai_n15365556 |archive-date=13 March 2006 |quote=And never, ever could he be likened to a Vauxhall Vectra. That was the vehicle that underwhelmed Jeremy so much that on its launch, he made a satirical little film about it for Top Gear. He just walked around the family hatchback, rubbing his chin and shaking his head a bit, saying absolutely nothing. It was a characteristically clever trick, but it didn't do the folks who made that car any favours. The Vectra wasn't the smash hit that Vauxhall hoped it would be.}}</ref> Vauxhall complained to the BBC and announced, "We can take criticism but this piece was totally unbalanced."<ref>
{{cite news |last=Woodman |first=Peter |date=19 October 1995 |title=''Top Gear'' gives new Vauxhall a second chance |publisher=The Press Association}}</ref>

==Controversies==
{{Criticism section|date=April 2025}}

===Activities on ''Top Gear''===
{{Main|Top Gear controversies}}
In 2004, the BBC apologised unreservedly and paid £250 in compensation to a [[Somerset]] parish council, after Clarkson damaged a 30-year-old [[Aesculus|horse-chestnut tree]] by driving into it to test the strength of a [[Toyota Hilux]].<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/somerset/3509191.stm BBC News&nbsp;— BBC stumps up for tree stunt], 21 February 2004</ref> In December 2006, the BBC complaints department upheld the complaint of four ''Top Gear'' viewers that Clarkson had used the phrase "ginger beer" ([[rhyming slang]] for "[[queer]]") in a derogatory manner, when Clarkson picked up on and agreed with an audience member's description of the [[Daihatsu Copen]] as being a bit "gay".<ref>{{cite web |date=15 December 2006 |title=ECU ruling: Top Gear, BBC Two |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/news/2006/12/15/39038.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070110205422/http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/news/2006/12/15/39038.shtml |archive-date=10 January 2007 |access-date=18 December 2006 |website=BBC Complaints |quote=In this instance there was no editorial purpose which would have served to justify the potential offence, and the complaints were therefore upheld.}}</ref> The ''[[Top Gear: Polar Special]]'' was criticised by the [[BBC Trust]] for glamorising [[Driving under the influence|drunk driving]] in a scene depicting Clarkson and James May consuming alcohol whilst Clarkson says to camera, "And please do not write to us about drinking and driving, because I am not driving, I am sailing," thereby implying that they were driving on frozen [[international waters]]. Despite the show's producers claiming that the incident occurred outside the jurisdiction of any drunk-driving laws, the BBC Trust maintained that the scene "was not editorially justified".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7485313.stm |work=BBC News |title=Top Gear rapped for alcohol use |date=2 July 2008}}</ref>

In a later incident during a ''Top Gear'' episode broadcast on 13 November 2005, Clarkson, while talking about a [[Mini (BMW)|Mini]] design that might be "quintessentially German", made a mock [[Nazi salute]], and made references to [[Nazi Germany]] and the German [[invasion of Poland]] by suggesting the GPS "only goes to Poland".<ref>{{cite news |last=Hall |first=Alan |date=15 December 2005 |title=Germans up in arms over Clarkson's mocking Nazi salute |work=[[The Scotsman]] |publisher=[[Johnston Press]] |location=Edinburgh, UK |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/uk-news/germans-arms-over-clarksons-mocking-nazi-salute-2509043 |url-status=live |access-date=2 August 2006 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070603195501/http://news.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=2408932005 |archive-date=3 June 2007 |quote=Clarkson raised his arm Nazi-style as he spoke about the German company BMW's Mini. Then, mocking the 1939 invasion that triggered the Second World War, he said it would have a satellite navigation system "that only goes to Poland". Finally, in a reference to Adolf Hitler's boast that his Third Reich would last ten centuries, Clarkson said the fan belt would last for 1,000 years. The German government is said to be highly displeased: diplomats pointed out that, had Clarkson made the Nazi salute on German television, he could be facing six months behind bars as, joking or not, such behaviour is illegal under the country's post-war constitution. The German motoring press, initially sharply critical of Clarkson's constant anti-German diatribes, nowadays portrays him as a sore loser, i.e. someone who simply hasn't understood yet that English carmaking is as much a thing of the past as tophats and the colonial empire.}}</ref> In November 2008, Clarkson attracted over 500 complaints to the BBC when he joked about [[lorry]] drivers murdering prostitutes.<ref name="Times4Nov08Foster">[https://www.thetimes.com/travel/advice/jeremy-clarkson-sparks-fresh-bbc-row-pdgzjspg90b Jeremy Clarkson sparks fresh BBC row] The Times, 4 November 2008</ref><ref name="Mole">Staff writer (6 November 2008). "[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7712962.stm MP calls for Clarkson to lose job]", ''[[BBC News Online]]''. Retrieved 6 November 2008.</ref> The BBC stated the comment was a comic rebuttal of a common misconception about lorry drivers and was within the viewer's expectation of Clarkson's ''Top Gear'' persona.<ref name=Times4Nov08Foster/> [[Chris Mole]], the Member of Parliament for [[Ipswich (UK Parliament constituency)|Ipswich]], where [[Ipswich 2006 serial murders|five sex workers were murdered in 2006]], wrote a "strongly worded" letter to BBC [[Director-General]] [[Mark Thompson (media executive)|Mark Thompson]], demanding that Clarkson be sacked.<ref name="Mole" /> Clarkson dismissed Mole's comments in his ''Sunday Times'' column the following weekend, writing, "There are more important things to worry about than what some balding and irrelevant middle-aged man might have said on a crappy BBC2 motoring show."<ref>Clarkson, Jeremy (9 November 2008). "[https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/into-the-breach-normal-people-and-sod-the-polar-bears-9mlhbl8pc3k Into the breach, normal people, and sod the polar bears]", ''The Sunday Times'', Times Newspapers. Retrieved 10 November 2008.</ref> Andrew Tinkler, chief executive of the [[Stobart Group|Eddie Stobart]] Group, a major trucking company, stated that "They were just having a laugh. It's the 21st century, let's get our sense of humour in line."<ref name=Times4Nov08Foster/>

In July 2009, Clarkson was reported to have called then [[British Prime Minister]] [[Gordon Brown]] "a silly cunt" during a warm-up while recording a ''Top Gear'' show. Although several newspapers reported that he had subsequently argued with BBC Two controller [[Janice Hadlow]],<ref name="guardian">Leigh Holmwood and Chris Tryhorn [https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/jul/24/jeremy-clarkson-offensive-comments-brown "Clarkson crashes into trouble with C-word attack on PM"], ''The Guardian'', 24 July 2009.</ref> who was present at the recording, the BBC denied that he had been given a "dressing down".<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8168621.stm "Clarkson in new Brown insult row "], BBC News, 25 July 2009</ref> [[John Whittingdale]], Conservative chair of the [[Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee|Culture Select Committee]] remarked: "Many people will find that offensive, many people will find that word in particular very offensive [...] I am surprised he felt it appropriate to use it."<ref name=guardian/>

In July 2010, Clarkson reportedly angered gay rights campaigners after he made a remark on ''Top Gear'' that did not get aired on 4 July episode. However, guest [[Alastair Campbell]] wrote about it on Twitter. Clarkson said: "I demand the right not to be bummed". The BBC later said that they cut this remark out, as they "edited down" the interview because it was too long to fit into the show.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wightman |first=Catriona |date=6 July 2010 |title=TV – News – Clarkson slammed for 'Top Gear' gay remark |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a239260/clarkson-slammed-for-top-gear-gay-remark.html |access-date=25 August 2010 |publisher=Digital Spy}}</ref>
In an episode aired after the [[Watershed (broadcasting)|watershed]] on 1 August 2010, Clarkson described a [[Ferrari F430]] as "[[special needs]]". He said the car owned by co-presenter [[James May]] looked "like a simpleton". Media regulator Ofcom investigated after receiving two complaints, and found that the comments "were capable of causing offence" but did not censure the BBC.<ref>{{cite news |date=25 October 2010 |title=Top Gear 'speciale needs' joke offensive, says Ofcom |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11621083}}</ref>

On 12 January 2012, the [[List of diplomatic missions of India|Indian High Commission]] lodged a formal complaint with the BBC over the "tasteless" antics of Clarkson's ''Top Gear'' Christmas special where he mocked India's culture and people. During the 90-minute special, which was aired twice over the Christmas break, Clarkson made a string of jokes about Indian food, clothes, toilets, trains and history.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sweney |first=Mark |date=12 January 2012 |title=Top Gear special prompts complaint from Indian high commission |work=[[The Guardian]] |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/jan/12/jeremyclarkson-top-gear?INTCMP=SRCH |access-date=18 January 2012}}</ref>
On an episode of ''Top Gear'' broadcast on 5 February 2012, Clarkson compared a Japanese car / camper van to a person with a growth on their face. A major UK charity that supports people with facial disfigurements, [[Changing Faces (charity)|Changing Faces]], complained to the BBC and [[Ofcom]] after Clarkson's remarks.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dowell |first=Ben |date=10 February 2012 |title=Jeremy Clarkson's 'facial growth' comment prompts complaints |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/feb/10/jeremy-clarkson-facial-growth-comment-complaints |access-date=17 February 2012 |website=The Guardian}}</ref>

In an unused take for a ''Top Gear'' feature recorded in early 2012, Clarkson is alleged to have mumbled the racial slur "[[nigger]]" when repeating the children's rhyme [[Eeny, meeny, miny, moe#American and British versions|Eeny, meeny, miny, moe]]. The clip later surfaced on the website of the ''[[Daily Mirror]]'' tabloid at the beginning of May 2014.<ref>Josh Halliday and Nicholas Watt [https://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/may/01/bbc-sack-jeremy-clarkson-n-word-top-gear "BBC under pressure to sack Jeremy Clarkson over N-word claims"], ''The Guardian'', 1 May 2014</ref> In the take, Clarkson attempts to mumble the sentence so as to obscure the word, but admitted that upon a close listening, the word could still be heard. Clarkson apologised for his efforts not being "quite good enough" to ensure the footage was not used.<ref>Josh Halliday, Nicholas Watt and Kevin Rawlinson [https://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/may/01/jeremy-clarkson-begs-forgiveness-n-word-top-gear Jeremy Clarkson 'begs forgiveness' over N-word footage] ''The Guardian'', 1 May 2014</ref> It was reported on 3 May that the BBC had given Clarkson a final warning, with the presenter accepting that he would be sacked if he made another offensive remark.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/may/03/jeremy-clarkson-given-final-warning-by-the-bbc "Jeremy Clarkson given final warning by the BBC"], ''The Guardian'' (London), 3 May 2014</ref>

Near the end of the ''Top Gear: Burma Special'', which aired March 2014, Clarkson and [[Richard Hammond|Hammond]] were seen admiring a wooden bridge, which they had built during the episode. Clarkson is quoted as saying, "That is a proud moment, but there's a slope on it" as a native crosses the bridge, with "[[List of ethnic slurs#S|slope]]" being a pejorative for Asians. ''Top Gear'' Executive Producer Andy Wilman responded: "When we used the word slope in the recent ''Top Gear Burma Special'' it was a light-hearted word play joke referencing both the build quality of the bridge and the local Asian man who was crossing it. We were not aware at the time, and it has subsequently been brought to our attention, that the word slope is considered by some to be offensive."<ref>{{cite news |date=23 April 2014 |title=Top Gear Producer Very Sorry About Jeremy Clarkson's Offensive Remark in Burma Special |work=The Huffington Post |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/04/23/top-gear-racist-burma-special-_n_5197001.html |access-date=10 March 2015}}</ref>

In October 2014, Clarkson attracted controversy when filming the ''[[Top Gear: Patagonia Special]]'' after driving a [[Porsche 928]] in [[Argentina]] with the [[Vehicle registration plates of the United Kingdom|registration number]] H982 FKL, allegedly referring to the 1982 [[Falklands War]].<ref>{{cite web |date=3 October 2014 |title=Protests cut short Top Gear shoot |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-29474422 |access-date=3 October 2014 |website=BBC News |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation}}</ref> Also, during the broadcast, Clarkson was seen referring to the controversy that had risen after the Burma Special; when inspecting a bridge, which he and his colleagues had built during the episode, he was quoted as saying "That is a proud moment, Hammond, but... is it straight?"<ref>{{cite web |date=29 December 2014 |title='Top Gear' Patagonia Special Finds Clarkson Poking Fun at Ofcom Racism Row For His Use of Word 'Slope' |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/12/29/top-gear-patagonia-jeremy-clarkson-racism-row-slope-ofcom_n_6389316.html |access-date=2 January 2015 |website=The Huffington Post UK}}</ref> With Hammond replying "Yes".

===Activities outside ''Top Gear''===
In October 1998, [[Hyundai Motor Company|Hyundai]] complained to the BBC about what they described as "bigoted and racist" comments he made at the [[Birmingham Motor Show]], where he was reported as saying that the people working on the Hyundai stand had "eaten a dog" and that the designer of the [[Hyundai XG]] had probably eaten a spaniel for his lunch. Clarkson also allegedly referred to those working on the [[BMW]] stand as "[[Nazis]]", with BMW saying that they would not lodge a complaint and giving Clarkson "the benefit of the doubt".<ref name=Clarksoninthedoghouse/>

In March 2004, at the [[British Press Awards]], he swore at [[Piers Morgan]] and punched him before being restrained by security; Morgan says it left him with a scar above his left eyebrow.<ref>{{cite news |last=Barber |first=Lynn |date=20 November 2005 |title=I should have been fired years ago, to be honest |work=The Observer |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2005/nov/20/newspaperformats.mirror |access-date=24 January 2015}}</ref> In April 2007, Clarkson was criticised in the Malaysian parliament for having described one of their cars, the [[Perodua Kelisa]], as the worst in the world, adding that "its name was like a disease and [suggesting] it was built in jungles by people who wear leaves for shoes". A Malaysian government minister countered, pointing out that no complaints had been received from UK customers who had bought the car.<ref>{{cite news |date=4 April 2007 |title=Malaysia lambasts ''Top Gear'' host |work=BBC News |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6528087.stm |access-date=23 April 2007 |quote=In one article, he said its name was like a disease and suggested it was built in jungles by people who wear leaves for shoes.}}</ref><ref name="kelisa">{{cite web |last=McCusker |first=Eamonn |date=9 November 2005 |title=Clarkson: Heaven and Hell |url=http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=59172 |access-date=21 April 2007 |publisher=DVD Times}}</ref>

In February 2009, while in Australia, Clarkson made disparaging remarks aimed at the British Prime Minister [[Gordon Brown]], calling him a "one-eyed Scottish idiot", and accused him of lying. These comments were widely condemned by the [[Royal National Institute of Blind People]]; they were also condemned by Scottish politicians, who requested that he should be taken off air.<ref>{{cite news |last=Summers |first=Deborah |date=6 February 2009 |title=Scottish politicians urge BBC to take Jeremy Clarkson off air over Gordon Brown jibes |work=The Guardian |location=UK |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2009/feb/06/jeremy-clarkson-gordon-brown |access-date=16 December 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Pykett |first=Emily |date=7 February 2009 |title=news.scotsman.com |work=The Scotsman |location=Edinburgh |url=http://news.scotsman.com/latestnews/Sorry-seems-to-be-the.4957339.jp |access-date=25 August 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=7 February 2009 |title=theherald.co.uk |url=http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/letters/display.var.2487595.0.punish_clarkson.php |access-date=25 August 2010 |website=The Herald}}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> He subsequently apologised for referencing Brown's monocular blindness, but said: "I haven't apologised for calling him an idiot."<ref>{{cite news |date=9 February 2009 |title=Clarkson apologises for PM remark |work=BBC News |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7873624.stm |access-date=16 December 2009}}</ref>

His column for ''The Sun'' newspaper on 4 September 2011, drew angry remarks<ref>{{cite web |last=Gaskell |first=Simon |date=3 September 2011 |title=Jeremy Clarkson under fire over call for Welsh language to be abolished |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/09/04/tv-motormouth-clarkson-under-fire-over-call-for-welsh-language-to-be-abolished-91466-29358957/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015180708/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2011/09/04/tv-motormouth-clarkson-under-fire-over-call-for-welsh-language-to-be-abolished-91466-29358957/ |archive-date=15 October 2012 |access-date=18 January 2012 |publisher=WalesOnline}}</ref> in response to Clarkson's call to abolish the [[Welsh language]]: "I think we are fast approaching the time when the United Nations should start to think seriously about abolishing other languages. What's the point of Welsh, for example? All it does is provide a silly maypole around which a bunch of hotheads can get all nationalistic."

On 30 November 2011, while being interviewed on the BBC's ''[[The One Show]]'', Clarkson commented on the UK's public sector strike that day, lauding the capital's empty roads. After mentioning the BBC's need for balance, he said, "I would take them outside and execute them in front of their families." The programme later apologised for his remarks, with further apologies issued by Clarkson and the BBC.<ref>{{cite news |date=1 December 2011 |title=Jeremy Clarkson apologises over strike comment |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15993549}}</ref> These remarks had attracted 21,335 complaints to the BBC within 36 hours; the BBC also received 314 messages of support for Clarkson.<ref>{{cite news |date=2 December 2011 |title=Complaints over Clarkson One Show comments reach 21,000 |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15999234 |access-date=18 January 2012}}</ref>

Clarkson was criticised by the mental health charity [[Mind (charity)|Mind]] for his 3 December 2011, column for ''The Sun'', in which he described those who jump in front of trains as "Johnny Suicide" and argues that following a death, trains should carry on their journeys as soon as possible. He adds: "The train cannot be removed nor the line reopened until all of the victim's body has been recovered. And sometimes the head can be half a mile away from the feet." ... "Change the driver, pick up the big bits of what's left of the victim, get the train moving as quickly as possible and let foxy woxy and the birds nibble away at the smaller, gooey parts that are far away or hard to find."<ref>{{cite news |date=3 December 2011 |title=Jeremy Clarkson: Train Suicides Are 'Selfish' |publisher=Sky News HD |url=http://news.sky.com/story/906447/jeremy-clarkson-train-suicides-are-selfish |access-date=17 April 2013}}</ref>

===Road safety===
Clarkson often discusses high-speed driving on public roads, criticising road safety campaigns involving cameras and speed bumps. In 2002, a [[Member of the National Assembly for Wales|Welsh Assembly Member]] [[Alun Pugh]] wrote to BBC Director-General Greg Dyke to complain about Clarkson's comments that he believed encouraged people to use Welsh roads as a high-speed test track. A BBC spokesman said that suggestions Clarkson had encouraged speeding were "nonsense".<ref name="autogenerated2002" /> Clarkson has also made similar comments about driving in [[Lincolnshire]].<ref>[http://cars.uk.msn.com/news/articles.aspx?cp-documentid=147861945 MSN.com News] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100129055502/http://cars.uk.msn.com/news/articles.aspx?cp-documentid=147861945 |date=29 January 2010}} Jeremy Clarkson in new road safety row, 27 October 2005</ref> In a November 2005 ''Times'' article, Clarkson wrote on the Bugatti Veyron, "On a recent drive across Europe I desperately wanted to reach the top speed but I ran out of road when the needle hit 240 mph," and "From the wheel of a Veyron, France is the size of a small coconut. I cannot tell you how fast I crossed it the other day. Because you simply wouldn't believe me."<ref>{{cite news |last=Clarkson |first=Jeremy |date=27 November 2007 |title=Bugatti Veyron — Utterly, stunningly, jaw droppingly brilliant |work=The Sunday Times |location=London |url=http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/driving/jeremy_clarkson/article596580.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070214104843/http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/driving/jeremy_clarkson/article596580.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 February 2007 |access-date=26 April 2007}}</ref>

In 2007, solicitor [[Nick Freeman]] represented Clarkson against a charge of driving at 86&nbsp;mph in a 50&nbsp;mph zone on the [[A40 road]] in London, defeating it on the basis that the driver of the car loaned to Clarkson from Alfa Romeo could not be ascertained.<ref>{{cite news |date=6 September 2007 |title=Clarkson speeding case dismissed |work=BBC News |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/6982514.stm}}</ref> In 2008, Clarkson claimed in a talk at the [[Hay-on-Wye|Hay Festival]] to have been given a speeding ticket for driving at 186&nbsp;mph on the [[Limehouse Link tunnel|A1203 Limehouse Link road]] in London.<ref>{{cite news |title=Clarkson's speed claim criticised |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/7424651.stm |work=BBC News |date=28 May 2008}}</ref>

===Dismissal from ''Top Gear''===
[[File:Clarkson plaque.jpg|thumb|A satirical plaque referencing Clarkson at the Simonstone Hall Hotel in [[Yorkshire]], where the incident took place]]
In March 2015, Clarkson was suspended by the BBC from ''Top Gear'' following a "fracas" with one of the show's producers, Oisin Tymon.<ref name="bbc-suspended-src">{{cite news |date=10 March 2015 |title=Jeremy Clarkson, Top Gear host, suspended by BBC after 'fracas' |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31824040 |access-date=10 March 2015}}</ref> It emerged that Clarkson had been involved in a dispute over catering while filming on location in [[Hawes]], [[North Yorkshire]],<ref>{{cite news |last=Rayner |first=Gordon |date=8 July 2013 |title=Jeremy Clarkson suspended from Top Gear: as it happened |work=Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/11463471/Jeremy-Clarkson-suspended-from-Top-Gear-live.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=13 March 2015 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/11463471/Jeremy-Clarkson-suspended-from-Top-Gear-live.html |archive-date=10 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}</ref> having been refused a steak (the chef had gone home) and offered soup and cold meat instead.<ref>{{cite news |last=Saul |first=Heather |date=13 March 2015 |title=Jeremy Clarkson: David Cameron backs 'friend' and 'huge talent' after witnesses claim Top Gear 'fracas' was over steak |work=[[The Independent]] |location=London |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/jeremy-clarkson-david-cameron-backs-friend-and-huge-talent-after-witnesses-claim-top-gear-fracas-was-over-steak-10102585.html |access-date=13 March 2015}}</ref>

The BBC announced that the next episode of the show would not be broadcast on 15 March.<ref name="bbc-suspended-src" /> It was later announced through the BBC's website that the network would be likely to drop the remaining two episodes of the series as well in the wake of the incident, which involved Clarkson punching producer Oisin Tymon, who was later treated in hospital.<ref name="investigation">{{cite web |last=MacQuarrie |first=Ken |title=Investigation findings |url=https://downloads.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/investigation-summary.pdf |access-date=25 March 2015 |website=BBC}}</ref><ref name="bbc-dropped-episodes">{{cite news |date=11 March 2015 |title=Jeremy Clarkson 'punch': Top Gear episodes to be dropped |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-31828184 |access-date=11 March 2015}}</ref> Tymon also said that Clarkson had called him a "lazy Irish cunt".<ref name="conlan">{{cite news |last=Conlan |first=Tara |date=24 February 2016 |title=Jeremy Clarkson apologises to former Top Gear producer Oisin Tymon |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/feb/24/jeremy-clarkson-top-gear-producer-bbc-oisin-tymon |access-date=24 February 2016}}</ref> Clarkson's contract with the BBC expired at the end of March, and a previously proposed three-year renewal was withdrawn.<ref name="bbc-confirmation">{{cite news |date=25 March 2015 |title=Jeremy Clarkson dropped from Top Gear, BBC confirms |work=BBC News  |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-32052736 |access-date=25 March 2015}}</ref><ref name="telegraph-20150311">{{cite news |last=Rayner |first=Gordon |date=11 March 2015 |title=Jeremy Clarkson suspended: James May confirms Top Gear host was in 'a dust-up' with producer over dinner |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/11463383/Jeremy-Clarkson-suspended-after-punching-Top-Gear-producer-in-row-over-catering.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=11 March 2015 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/11463383/Jeremy-Clarkson-suspended-after-punching-Top-Gear-producer-in-row-over-catering.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |quote=It has also emerged that the three presenters could walk away from Top Gear before the BBC's investigation into Clarkson's behaviour is concluded, as their contracts expire at the end of this month and they have not yet signed new three-year deals that were expected to be completed within days.}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="guardian-20150311">{{cite news |last1=Plunkett |first1=John |last2=Sweney |first2=Mark |last3=Conlan |first3=Tara |date=11 March 2015 |title=BBC faces multimillion-pound bill from Jeremy Clarkson's suspension |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/mar/11/bbc-jeremy-clarkson-suspension-top-gear |access-date=11 March 2015 |quote=Clarkson could walk away from the show when his contract runs out at the end of this month whatever the verdict of the BBC's inquiry into the affair.}}</ref>

A [[Change.org]] petition, aiming to reverse the BBC decision, was started on 10 March by blogger [[Paul Staines|Guido Fawkes]].<ref name="Jeremy Clarkson: Petition calls for BBC to bring back suspended Top Gear host">{{cite news |date=11 March 2015 |title=Top Gear: 350,000 sign petition supporting Jeremy Clarkson |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31832698 |access-date=12 March 2015}}</ref><ref name="Petition signatures">{{cite news |date=11 March 2015 |title=Fans petition BBC to reinstate 'Top Gear' host Jeremy Clarkson |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/12/world/europe/thousands-of-fans-of-suspended-top-gear-host-seek-his-return.html?_r=0 |access-date=12 March 2015}}</ref> The petition reached its target 1,000,000 signatures by the afternoon of 20 March, and was delivered to the BBC in an [[FV433 Abbot SPG|artillery vehicle]] by a man dressed as ''Top Gear'' test driver [[The Stig]], with Fawkes as spokesman.<ref>{{cite news |date=20 March 2015 |title=Petition backing Jeremy Clarkson hits one million signatures |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/bbc/11485289/The-Stig-delivers-Jeremy-Clarkson-petition-to-BBC.html |url-status=dead |access-date=21 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150320133720/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/bbc/11485289/The-Stig-delivers-Jeremy-Clarkson-petition-to-BBC.html |archive-date=20 March 2015}}</ref> The hosting website described the petition as the fastest-growing campaign in its history.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dearden |first=Lizzie |date=11 March 2015 |title=Jeremy Clarkson petition 'BBC Bring Back Clarkson' is now officially the fastest-growing Change.org campaign in history |work=The Independent |location=London |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/jeremy-clarkson-suspended-more-people-support-top-gear-petition-than-campaigns-to-end-fgm-and-page-3-10100908.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=11 March 2015 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220608/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/jeremy-clarkson-suspended-more-people-support-top-gear-petition-than-campaigns-to-end-fgm-and-page-3-10100908.html |archive-date=8 June 2022}}</ref> On 19 March 2015, at a charity auction at the [[Roundhouse (venue)|Roundhouse]] in Camden, north London, Clarkson launched into a verbal tirade against BBC studio bosses related to his suspension from the programme, saying "The BBC have fucked themselves."<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/mar/20/jeremy-clarkson-foul-mouthed-rant-bbc-top-gear "Jeremy Clarkson in sweary rant against BBC bosses"], ''[[The Guardian]]'', 20 March 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2015</ref> He later stated that this was "meant in jest".<ref>{{cite news |date=22 March 2015 |title=Jeremy Clarkson: BBC comments 'meant in jest' |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-32007400 |access-date=22 March 2015}}</ref>

On 25 March 2015, the BBC released an official statement confirming that, as a result of the actions which led to his suspension, they would not be renewing his contract with the show.<ref>{{cite web |title=BBC – BBC Director-General's statement regarding Jeremy Clarkson – Media centre |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/statements/jeremy-clarkson-dg-statement |access-date=25 March 2015}}</ref> Following the statement, [[North Yorkshire Police]] requested to view the report and stated that "action will be taken by North Yorkshire police where necessary".<ref>{{cite web |date=25 March 2015 |title=Jeremy Clarkson could face police investigation after BBC dismissal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/mar/25/jeremy-clarkson-police-investigation-bbc-report-top-gear |access-date=25 March 2015 |website=The Guardian}}</ref> However, Tymon informed the police that he did not wish to press charges against Clarkson, and Clarkson urged fans of the show to stop [[Troll (Internet)|trolling]] Tymon on social media, as what happened was not his fault.<ref>{{cite news |date=27 March 2015 |title=Top Gear producer 'won't press charges' against Jeremy Clarkson |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-32083181?ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbc_breaking&ns_source=twitter&ns_linkname=news_central}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Selby |first=Jenn |date=27 March 2015 |title=Jeremy Clarkson calls on trolls to leave producer Oisin Tymon alone: 'None of this is his fault' |work=[[The Independent]] |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/jeremy-clarkson-calls-on-trolls-to-leave-producer-oisin-tymon-alone-none-of-this-is-his-fault-10136894.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=13 November 2015 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220608/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/jeremy-clarkson-calls-on-trolls-to-leave-producer-oisin-tymon-alone-none-of-this-is-his-fault-10136894.html |archive-date=8 June 2022}}</ref> British police investigated death threats made against BBC Director-General [[Tony Hall, Baron Hall of Birkenhead|Tony Hall]] over Clarkson's firing.<ref>{{cite web |date=29 March 2015 |title=Jeremy Clarkson: BBC chief Tony Hall receives death threats after decision to drop Top Gear presenter |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-29/bbc-chief-threatened-decision-to-axe-top-gears-jeremy-clarkson/6356704 |work=ABC News}}</ref> Less than 24 hours after his dismissal, Clarkson was approached by [[Zvezda (TV channel)|Zvezda]], a Russian state broadcaster, to present a motoring programme.<ref>{{cite news |last=Butterfly |first=Amelia |date=26 March 2015 |title=Jeremy Clarkson has been offered a new job but it's in Russia |work=BBC Newsbeat |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-32070910 |access-date=29 March 2015}}</ref>

In his ''Sunday Times'' column on 19 April, Clarkson said that two days before he hit Tymon, he had been told by his doctor that a lump he had could be [[Oral cancer|cancer of the tongue]]. Testing later confirmed that it was not cancerous. In the same column, he stated that he had initially considered retiring from television following his dismissal, but was now planning a new motoring programme.<ref>{{cite news |date=19 April 2015 |title=Jeremy Clarkson recalls cancer scare before Top Gear 'fracas' |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-32371111 |access-date=19 April 2015}}</ref> In November 2015, Tymon sued Clarkson and the BBC for [[racial discrimination]] over the verbal abuse he received in the March incident.<ref>{{cite news |last=Melvin |first=Don |date=13 November 2015 |title=Former 'Top Gear' host Jeremy Clarkson sued for racial discrimination |publisher=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Saul |first=Heather |date=13 November 2015 |title=BBC Top Gear producer 'suing Jeremy Clarkson and BBC' for racial discrimination |work=[[The Independent]]}}</ref> The following February, Clarkson formally apologised to Tymon and settled the racial discrimination and personal injury claim for £100,000.<ref name=conlan/>

===''The Sun'' newspaper column on the Duchess of Sussex===
In December 2022, he was criticised for one of his columns in ''The Sun'' on [[Meghan, Duchess of Sussex]], which was deemed misogynistic by critics as he stated:
{{blockquote|I hate her. Not like I hate [[Nicola Sturgeon]] or [[Rose West]]. I hate her on a cellular level. At night, I'm unable to sleep as I lie there, grinding my teeth and dreaming of the day when she is made to parade naked through the streets of every town in Britain while the crowds chant, 'Shame!' and throw lumps of [[excrement]] at her.}}
He later said it was a reference to [[Mother's Mercy|a scene]] from the television series ''[[Game of Thrones]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sachdeva |first=Maanya |date=18 December 2022 |title='You cannot write things like this': John Bishop and Carol Vorderman among stars to condemn Jeremy Clarkson's Meghan Markle rant |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/jeremy-clarkson-meghan-markle-john-bishop-b2247421.html |access-date=18 December 2022 |website=The Independent}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Zeldin-O'Neill |first=Sophie |date=18 December 2022 |title=Jeremy Clarkson condemned over Meghan column in the Sun |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2022/dec/18/jeremy-clarkson-condemned-meghan-column-the-sun |access-date=19 December 2022 |website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> He had used the same reference in an article published in ''The Sun'' in December 2018 to defend Meghan:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/1722497/meghan-markle-omid-scobie-jeremy-clarkson|title=Meghan's biographer claims 'hate can do crazy things' after Clarkson's apology backfires|work=Daily Express|first=Christopher|last=Sharp|date=17 January 2023|accessdate=17 January 2023}}</ref>
{{blockquote|When Meghan Markle swapped being an actress for being a duchess, she was hailed as a breath of fresh air for the Royal Family&nbsp;— so why is she now being pilloried?... But then, after about seven minutes, everyone suddenly decided she's actually a witch. At this rate, it won't be long before she is stripped and forced to walk naked through the streets of York while people with skin diseases chant "Shame!" and throw excrement at her. I can't understand why this is happening. You don't know her. I don't know her. So why have we all suddenly decided she should be mocked and pilloried for every little thing she ever does?"}} In his other columns, Clarkson criticised Meghan for her "simpering victimhood", called her a "silly little cable TV actress", and stated that her climate change pleas make him want to "shoot a polar bear in the middle of its face."<ref>{{cite web |last=Kipling |first=Ella |date=20 December 2022 |title=What did Jeremy Clarkson say about Meghan Markle? 7 of the TV presenter's controversial comments |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/jeremy-clarkson-meghan-markle-comments-b2248545.html |access-date=20 December 2022 |website=The Independent}}</ref> The [[Independent Press Standards Organisation]] (IPSO) said it had received more than 25,100 complaints about the piece, making it the article with the most number of complaints attached to it since IPSO's establishment in 2014.<ref name="BBC-apology">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-64288418|title=Jeremy Clarkson says he apologised to Harry and Meghan for Sun column|work=BBC News |date=16 January 2023|accessdate=16 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Maher |first=Bron |date=20 December 2022 |title=IPSO's most complained about articles: From Stonehaven 'Death Express' to Jeremy Clarkson on Meghan Markle |url=https://pressgazette.co.uk/media_law/ipso-most-complained-about-articles/ |access-date=20 December 2022 |website=Press Gazette}}</ref> The number is also more than the totall number of complaints made to IPSO in 2021, which was 14,355.<ref name="Guardian-coverage">{{cite web |last=Elgot |first=Jessica |date=20 December 2022 |title=Jeremy Clarkson column on Meghan breaks watchdog's complaints record |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2022/dec/20/mps-urge-sun-editor-to-act-against-jeremy-clarkson-over-meghan-comments |access-date=20 December 2022 |website=The Guardian}}</ref>

On 19 December 2022, ''The Sun''{{'}}s website published a statement in response to the criticism: "In light of Jeremy Clarkson's tweet he has asked us to take last week's column down."<ref>{{cite web |last=Quadri |first=Sami |date=20 December 2022 |title=Jeremy Clarkson's Meghan column receives record number of complaints |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/jeremy-clarkson-meghan-markle-mp-article-removed-website-complaints-b1048414.html |access-date=20 December 2022 |website=Evening Standard}}</ref> In light of the controversy, [[Edward Faulks]], the chair of IPSO, declined a private dinner invitation by [[Rupert Murdoch]], who owns ''The Sun''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Waterson |first=Jim |date=19 December 2022 |title=Press watchdog ducks Murdoch dinner date after deluge of Clarkson complaints |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2022/dec/19/rupert-murdoch-ipso-chair-despite-complaints-jeremy-clarkson-meghan |access-date=19 December 2022 |website=The Guardian}}</ref> The Scottish first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, whose name was also mentioned in the column, described Clarkson's comments as "deeply misogynist and just downright awful and horrible" and warned that "words have consequences".<ref>{{cite web |date=19 December 2022 |title=Sturgeon: Clarkson's Meghan column is "deeply misogynist" |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-64000443 |access-date=19 December 2022 |website=BBC News}}</ref> The prime minister, [[Rishi Sunak]], responded to the controversy by emphasising that "language matters".<ref name="i-Sun">{{cite web |last=Sherwin |first=Adam |date=19 December 2022 |title=Jeremy Clarkson Meghan Sun column embarrasses Rupert Murdoch and drags Rishi Sunak into row |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/media/jeremy-clarkson-meghan-sun-column-embarrasses-rupert-murdoch-and-drags-rishi-sunak-into-row-2038150 |access-date=19 December 2022 |website=i}}</ref> In a letter to ITV chief executive [[Carolyn McCall]], [[Scottish National Party|SNP]] MP [[John Nicolson]] called on the organisation to sack Clarkson.<ref name="i-Sun" />

On 20 December 2022, Conservative MP [[Caroline Nokes]] wrote to ''The Sun''{{'}}s editor, [[Victoria Newton]], calling for "action [to be] taken" against Clarkson and for an "unreserved apology". The letter was signed by more than 60 cross-party MPs.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-64046956|title=Clarkson's Meghan comments 'awful' but host will remain, says ITV boss|date=21 December 2022|work=BBC News}}</ref><ref name="Guardian-coverage" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Goldbart |first=Max |title=The Sun & ITV Under Pressure From Dozens Of MPs Over "Violent, Misogynistic" Jeremy Clarkson Column |url=https://deadline.com/2022/12/jeremy-clarkson-meghan-markle-itv-the-sun-dozens-mps-prince-harry-1235203185/ |access-date=20 December 2022 |website=Deadline|date=20 December 2022}}</ref> On 21 December, [[Kevin Lygo]], the managing director of ITV, stated at a [[Broadcasting Press Guild]] event that Clarkson would remain host of ''Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?'' "at the moment" as ITV had "no control" over what he said in ''The Sun'' newspaper column, but added that what he wrote "was awful" and "he should apologise" for his comments.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theguardian.com/media/2022/dec/21/jeremy-clarkson-to-remain-host-of-who-wants-to-be-a-millionaire-says-itv-boss|title=Jeremy Clarkson to remain host of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? says ITV boss|work=The Guardian|first=Jim|last=Waterson|date=21 December 2022|access-date=21 December 2022}}</ref> On the same day the head of the [[Metropolitan Police]] [[Sir Mark Rowley]] stated Clarkson would not face criminal proceedings for his actions as it was not the job of officers to "police people's ethics" and the police could generally get involved when "things are said that are intended or likely to stir up or incite violence".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/jeremy-clarkson-meghan-markle-police-b2249239.html|title=Jeremy Clarkson won't face police probe over Meghan column, Met chief says|work=The Independent|first=Matt|last=Mathers|date=21 December 2022|access-date=23 December 2022}}</ref>

[[Peter Herbert (lawyer)|Peter Herbert]], the chair of the [[Society of Black Lawyers]], wrote to the [[Metropolitan Police]] requesting an investigation under the [[Public Order Act 1986]] as he believed the column promoted racial hatred.<ref name="Independent-letter">{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/al-sharpton-herbert-jeremy-clarkson-meghan-markle-b2249924.html|title=Rev Al Sharpton slams Jeremy Clarkson's 'racist' Meghan Markle column amid police petition|work=The Independent|first=Nadine|last=White|date=22 December 2022|access-date=22 December 2022}}</ref> The letter was co-signed by the Society of Black Lawyers, [[Operation Black Vote]] and Bandung Africa, as well as [[Lee Jasper]], Viv Ahmun, [[Bell Ribeiro-Addy]], and [[Claudia Webbe]].<ref name="Independent-letter"/> A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said "The allegations have been assessed, no offences have been identified, and no further action will be taken."<ref name="Independent-letter"/> On 11 January 2023, culture secretary [[Michelle Donelan]] described Clarkson's comments as "outrageous" but not "illegal" and said that she "wouldn't have said what he said and I don't align myself with the comments that he made" but "I defend his right to be able to say what he wants" because "that's the nature of free speech&nbsp;— of course, that shouldn't stray into illegal content or go in certain directions."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/jeremy-clarkson-meghan-markle-culture-secretary-b2260450.html|title=Culture Secretary says Jeremy Clarkson has the right to 'say what he wants' about Meghan Markle|work=The Independent|first=Tom|last=Murray|date=11 January 2023|accessdate=12 January 2023}}</ref>

On 19 December Clarkson stated he was "horrified to have caused so much hurt" over his comments, which were also criticised by his daughter Emily and co-star James May.<ref name="BBC-statement">{{cite web |date=19 December 2022 |title=Jeremy Clarkson says he is 'horrified' over Meghan column |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-64029690 |access-date=19 December 2022 |website=[[BBC News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=James May calls Clarkson's column 'too creepy' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/entertainment-arts-64458165 |access-date=2025-04-19 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> 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".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2022/dec/23/the-sun-apologises-for-jeremy-clarksons-column-on-meghan|title=The Sun apologises for Jeremy Clarkson's column on Meghan|work=The Guardian|first=Nadeem|last=Badshah|date=23 December 2022|access-date=23 December 2022}}</ref> On the following day, a spokesperson for the [[Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex|Duke]] and Duchess of Sussex described the apology as "nothing more than a PR stunt" and added that the publication had not contacted Meghan to personally apologise which "shows their intent".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/dec/24/sussexes-dismiss-sun-apology-for-clarkson-column-as-pr-stunt|title=Sussexes dismiss Sun apology for Clarkson column as 'PR stunt'|work=The Guardian|first=Jane|last=Clinton|date=24 December 2022|access-date=24 December 2022}}</ref> In an [[Instagram]] post on 16 January 2023, Clarkson said that he had emailed the Duke and Duchess on Christmas Day 2022 to apologise, saying that his language had been "disgraceful" and he was "profoundly sorry".<ref name="BBC-apology"/> A spokesperson for the couple said Clarkson wrote solely to the Duke and the article was not an isolated incident considering "his long-standing pattern of writing articles that spread hate rhetoric, dangerous conspiracy theories and misogyny."<ref name="BBC-apology"/>

In the fallout from the comments, ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' reported that Amazon was likely ending its relationship with Clarkson;<ref>{{cite web |last=Harris |first=Rob |date=16 January 2023 |title=Jeremy Clarkson set to be dumped by Amazon Prime following Meghan column |url=https://www.theage.com.au/world/europe/jeremy-clarkson-set-to-be-dumped-by-amazon-prime-following-meghan-column-20230117-p5cd19.html |access-date=16 January 2023 |website=The Age}}</ref> however, this report proved to be inaccuarate, as ''[[Clarkson's Farm]]'' was later renewed for a fourth season to be broadcast in 2025. In February 2023, IPSO announced that it was launching an investigation about the article, specifically taking forward two groups of complaints, from the [[Fawcett Society]] and the Wilde Foundation, which claimed "they were affected by breaches in accuracy, harassment and discrimination."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.sky.com/story/jeremy-clarksons-article-about-meghan-press-watchdog-ipso-launches-investigation-12806971|title=Jeremy Clarkson's article about Meghan: Press watchdog IPSO launches investigation|work=Sky News|date=9 February 2023|accessdate=9 February 2023}}</ref> In June 2023, IPSO concluded that the column was sexist and contained a "pejorative and prejudicial reference" to Meghan's sex, but it rejected complaints that the piece was inaccurate, meant to harass her or included discriminatory references on the grounds of race.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-64489083|title=Jeremy Clarkson's Meghan article was sexist to duchess, press regulator rules|first1=Helen|last1=Bushby|first2=Steven|last2=McIntosh|first3=Ian|last3=Youngs|work=BBC News|date=30 June 2023|accessdate=30 June 2023}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Clarkson married Alex Hall in 1989; however, she left him for one of his friends after six months.<ref name="telegraph.co.uk">{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Anita |last2=Gardner |first2=Bill |last3=Prynne |first3=Miranda |date=5 May 2014 |title=Jeremy Clarkson divorce: 'Mrs Clarkson deserves every penny' |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/top-gear/10809441/Jeremy-Clarkson-divorce-Mrs-Clarkson-deserves-every-penny.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=10 March 2015 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/top-gear/10809441/Jeremy-Clarkson-divorce-Mrs-Clarkson-deserves-every-penny.html |archive-date=10 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In May 1993, he married his manager, Frances Cain, daughter of [[Victoria Cross|VC]] recipient [[Robert Henry Cain]], in [[Fulham]].<ref name=":0" /> The couple had three children.<ref name=wdytya-pr/> Clarkson has been described as a member of the [[Chipping Norton set]].<ref name="TelegJul11">{{cite news |last=Dewar |first=Caroline |date=5 March 2012 |title=Who's who in the Chipping Norton set |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |location=London |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/interactive-graphics/9124278/Whos-who-in-the-Chipping-Norton-set.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=6 May 2012 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/interactive-graphics/9124278/Whos-who-in-the-Chipping-Norton-set.html |archive-date=10 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Known for buying him car-related gifts, for Christmas 2007, Clarkson's second wife bought him a [[Mercedes-Benz 600]].<ref name="clarkson-mx5"/> Clarkson and Cain divorced in 2014.<ref name="telegraph.co.uk" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Bryant |first=Tom |date=22 March 2015 |title=Jeremy Clarkson talks of 'difficult divorce' from wife of 21 years |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/jeremy-clarkson-talks-difficult-divorce-5383048 |website=Mirror}}</ref>

While reviewing the [[TVR Sagaris]] in July 2005 for ''Top Gear'' at the test track, Clarkson slipped two [[Intervertebral disc|disc]]s in his back due to him excessively oversteering; he was forced to stop driving for six months. Clarkson was involved in a protracted legal dispute about access to a "permissive path" across the grounds of his second home, a converted lighthouse, on the [[Isle of Man]] between 2005 and 2010, after reports that dogs had attacked and killed sheep on the property.<ref>{{cite news |date=27 April 2012 |title=Jeremy Clarkson loses Isle of Man land dispute |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-17867454}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=12 October 2005 |title=New concern over private pathway |work=BBC News |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/isle_of_man/4333356.stm |access-date=30 August 2011}}</ref> Clarkson and his wife had claimed that four sheep were deliberately killed after being chased into the sea by a dog let off its lead.<ref>{{cite web |title=Prowl 'deplores' sheep attack on Clarkson land |url=http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/prowl_deplores_sheep_attack_on_clarkson_land_1_1767013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518171429/http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/prowl_deplores_sheep_attack_on_clarkson_land_1_1767013 |archive-date=18 May 2013 |access-date=30 August 2011 |website=Isle of Man Today}}</ref> He lost the dispute after the Isle of Man government held a [[public inquiry]], and he was told to re-open the footpath.<ref>{{cite news |date=11 May 2010 |title=Clarkson told to reopen footpath by Isle of Man home |work=BBC News |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/isle_of_man/8675771.stm |access-date=30 August 2011}}</ref> The decision was affirmed by the [[High Court of the Isle of Man|Isle of Man High Court]].<ref>{{cite web |date=27 April 2012 |title=Jeremy Clarkson loses fight over Langness |url=http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/jeremy-clarkson-loses-fight-over-langness-1-4490271 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518170533/http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/jeremy-clarkson-loses-fight-over-langness-1-4490271 |archive-date=18 May 2013 |access-date=20 February 2013 |website=Isle of Man Today}}</ref>

Clarkson is a fan of the progressive rock band [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]] and attended the band's reunion concert at [[Twickenham Stadium]] in 2007. He also provided sleeve notes for the reissue of the album ''[[Selling England by the Pound]]'' as part of the ''[[Genesis 1970–1975]]'' box set.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hamilton |first1=Fiona |last2=Coates |first2=Sam |last3=Savage |first3=Michael |date=2 November 2008 |title=The famous fans of Genesis |work=[[The Times]] |location=London |url=http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article5050592.ece |access-date=2 April 2010}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Clarkson, along with his son, are fans of the football team [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea FC]].<ref>{{cite web |date=30 March 2022 |title=Jeremy Clarkson on why his son supports Chelsea rather than Oxford |url=https://www.oxfordshirelive.co.uk/news/oxfordshire-news/jeremy-clarkson-son-supports-chelsea-6877738 |access-date=21 September 2024}}</ref> In September 2010, Clarkson was granted a privacy [[injunction]] against his first wife to prevent her from publishing claims that their sexual relationship continued after his second marriage (see ''[[AMM v HXW]]''). He voluntarily lifted the injunction in October 2011,<ref name="amm_hxw">{{cite BAILII |litigants=AMM v HXW|court= EWHC |division=QB |year=2010 |num=2457 |date=7 October 2010 |courtname=auto |juris=England and Wales}}</ref> commenting that: "Injunctions don't work. You take out an injunction against somebody or some organisation and immediately news of that injunction and the people involved and the story behind the injunction is in a legal-free world on Twitter and the Internet. It's pointless."<ref name="clarkson_2">{{cite news |last=Halliday |first=Josh |date=27 October 2011 |title=Jeremy Clarkson lifts 'pointless' injunction against ex-wife |work=[[The Guardian]] |location=UK |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/oct/27/jeremy-clarkson-lifts-injunction?newsfeed=true |access-date=27 October 2011}}</ref>

Since 2017, Clarkson has been in a relationship with Irish-born former actress and screenplay writer Lisa Hogan, who features in his [[Amazon Prime Video|Amazon Prime]] series ''[[Clarkson's Farm]]''.<ref>{{cite web |date=3 July 2020 |title=Who Is Jeremy Clarkson's Girlfriend Lisa Hogan? |url=https://www.grandtournation.com/thegrandtour/who-is-jeremy-clarksons-girlfriend-lisa-hogan/ |access-date=12 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Hogan |first=Lisa |title=Jeremy Clarkson's girlfriend Lisa Hogan: he's working me like a dog on the farm. Can I be furloughed? |work=[[The Times]] |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/jeremy-clarksons-girlfriend-lisa-hogan-hes-working-me-like-a-dog-on-the-farm-can-i-be-furloughed-5tv5wlr96 |access-date=12 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Kent |first=David |date=14 June 2021 |title=Who is Lisa Hogan? All you need to know about Jeremy Clarkson's Irish girlfriend |url=https://www.irishmirror.ie/tv/who-lisa-hogan-you-need-24295958 |access-date=16 June 2021 |website=Irish Mirror}}</ref> Clarkson lives in [[Chadlington]], near [[Chipping Norton]], Oxfordshire.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-30 |title=Jeremy Clarkson regularly finds fans nosying around INSIDE his home |url=https://www.witneygazette.co.uk/news/24286781.jeremy-clarkson-insists-controversial-persona-act/ |access-date=2025-05-04 |website=Witney Gazette |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Wilkinson |first=Chiara |title=Three houses are for sale in Jeremy Clarkson's village – but no one wants to buy them |url=https://www.timeout.com/uk/news/three-houses-are-for-sale-in-jeremy-clarksons-village-but-no-one-wants-to-buy-042723 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004113921/https://www.timeout.com/uk/news/three-houses-are-for-sale-in-jeremy-clarksons-village-but-no-one-wants-to-buy-042723 |archive-date=2023-10-04 |access-date=2025-05-04 |work=Time Out United Kingdom |language=en-GB}}</ref>

For his 60th birthday in 2020, Clarkson purchased a [[Bentley Flying Spur (2005)|Bentley Flying Spur]] as a present to himself.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jeremy Clarkson + Kaleb Cooper – Behind the Scenes on Diddly Squat Farm {{!}} Performance People | website=[[YouTube]] | date=14 November 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGNO-9fP_D4 |access-date=7 February 2023}}</ref>

On 23 August 2024, Clarkson opened a [[pub]], [[The Farmer's Dog]], formerly known as The Windmill, in [[Asthall]], near [[Burford]], in connection to his farming show ''Clarkson's Farm''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Muir |first=Ellie |date=23 August 2024 |title=Jeremy Clarkson opens new pub, The Farmer's Dog, to queues of punters|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/jeremy-clarkson-pub-farm-oxfordship-diddly-squat-b2600925.html | access-date=2 September 2024 |website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> Clarkson later said he had banned [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] [[Keir Starmer]], his ''Top Gear'' and ''The Grand Tour'' colleague [[James May]] and a local named Maddy Hornby.<ref name="auto1"/><ref>{{cite web |last=Tom |first=Earnshaw |date=2 September 2024 |title=Jeremy Clarkson bans third person from pub after she 'moans' about his drinks|url=https://www.ladbible.com/entertainment/celebrity/jeremy-clarkson-farmers-dog-pub-barred-list-094815-20240902 | access-date=2 September 2024 |website=[[LadBible]]}}</ref>

===Health===
On 4 August 2017, he was admitted to hospital after falling ill with [[pneumonia]] while on a family holiday in [[Majorca]], Spain, and was being treated in a hospital there.<ref>{{cite web |date=7 August 2017 |title=Jeremy Clarkson off work for 'some time' with pneumonia |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40846356 |website=BBC News}}</ref> He subsequently said he could "breathe out harder and for longer than a non-smoking 40-year-old" and had 96 per cent capacity for a person his age. "In short, getting on for three-quarters of a million [[Cigarette|fags]] have not harmed me in any way. I have quite literally defied medical science".<ref>{{cite web |last=Chande |first=Surena |date=28 August 2017 |title=OK! – Jeremy Clarkson Quits Smoking |url=https://www.ok.co.uk/celebrity-news/1162660/top-gear-jeremy-clarkson-quits-smoking-terrifying-battle-pneumonia-lungs-health-scare-cigarette}}</ref>

On 19 October 2024, Clarkson revealed via his column on ''The Sunday Times'' that he had a [[stent]] fitted at [[John Radcliffe Hospital]] in [[Oxford]] after experiencing a "sudden deterioration" in his health after returning from holiday in the [[Indian Ocean]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1l40gp6njro |title=Jeremy Clarkson reveals he had heart procedure |date=19 October 2024 |access-date=20 October 2024 |first=Hollie |last=Cole |publisher=bbc.co.uk}}</ref>

==Filmography==
===Television===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes
|-
| 1988–2000 || ''[[Top Gear (1977 TV series)|Top Gear]]'' || rowspan="20" | Presenter ||
|-
|1995
|''Jeremy Clarkson's Motorsport Mayhem''
|VHS/DVD exclusive
|-
| 1995–1996 || ''[[Jeremy Clarkson's Motorworld]]'' || 13 episodes
|-
| rowspan="2" |1996
|''More Motorsport Mayhem''
| rowspan="3" |VHS exclusive
|-
|''Jeremy Clarkson: Unleashed on Cars''
|-
| 1997 || ''Apocalypse Clarkson''
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1998 || ''[[Jeremy Clarkson's Extreme Machines]]'' || 1 series (6 episodes)
|-
| ''[[Robot Wars (TV series)|Robot Wars]]'' || 1 series (6 episodes)
|-
| ''The Most Outrageous Jeremy Clarkson Video in the World...Ever!'' || VHS exclusive
|-
| 1998–2000 || ''[[Clarkson (TV series)|Clarkson]]'' || 3 series (27 episodes)
|-
| 1999 || ''Jeremy Clarkson: Head to Head'' || VHS/DVD exclusive
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2000 || ''[[Clarkson's Car Years]]'' || 1 series (6 episodes)
|-
| ''Jeremy Clarkson: At Full Throttle'' || VHS/DVD exclusive
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2001 || ''[[Speed (TV series)|Speed]]'' || 1 series (6 episodes)
|-
| ''Clarkson's Top 100 Cars'' || VHS/DVD exclusive
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2002 || ''[[Jeremy Clarkson: Meets the Neighbours]]'' || 5 episodes
|-
| ''[[100 Greatest Britons]]'' || One-off (presented 1 of 12 episodes)
|-
| ''Clarkson: No Limits'' || VHS/DVD exclusive
|-
| 2002–2015 || ''[[Have I Got News for You]]'' || 13 episodes
|-
| 2002–2015, 2021 || ''[[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Top Gear]]'' || 22 series (175 episodes + 11 specials)<br />Reappeared in a one-off special to look back at the Life of Sabine Schmitz in 2021
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2003 || ''[[Grumpy Old Men (TV series)|Grumpy Old Men]]'' || Participant ||
|-
| ''[[The Victoria Cross: For Valour]]'' || rowspan="4" | Presenter || One–off
|-
| ''Clarkson: Shoot Out'' || VHS/DVD exclusive
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2004 || ''[[Inventions That Changed the World]]'' || 1 series (5 episodes)
|-
| ''Clarkson: Hot Metal'' || VHS/DVD exclusive
|-
| ''[[Who Do You Think You Are? (British TV series)|Who Do You Think You Are?]]'' || rowspan="3" | Participant || Series 1, Episode 4 (2 November 2004)
|-
| 2004–2016 || ''[[QI]]'' ||  14 episodes
|-
| rowspan="3" |2005
|''[[Stars in Fast Cars]]''
|Pilot episode
|-
| ''Clarkson: Heaven and Hell'' || rowspan="3" | Presenter || DVD exclusive
|-
| ''[[Top of the Pops]]'' || 1 episode
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2006 || ''[[Never Mind the Buzzcocks]]'' || Guest host&nbsp;— 1 episode
|-
| ''[[Cars (film)|Cars]]'' || Harv (Voice; UK version only) || Movie
|-
| ''Clarkson: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly'' || rowspan="8" | Presenter || DVD exclusive
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2007 || ''[[St Nazaire Raid|Jeremy Clarkson: The Greatest Raid of All Time]]'' || One–off
|-
| ''Clarkson: Supercar Showdown'' || rowspan="4" | DVD exclusive
|-
| 2008 || ''Clarkson: Thriller''
|-
| 2009 || ''Clarkson: Duel''
|-
| 2010 || ''Clarkson: The Italian Job''
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2011 || ''[[Forza Motorsport 4]]'' || Video Game
|-
| ''Clarkson: Powered Up'' || DVD exclusive
|-
| 2013 || ''[[Forza Motorsport 5]]'' || Presenter || Video game
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2014 || ''[[Phineas and Ferb]]'' || Adrian (Voice) || Appeared with his fellow ''Top Gear'' presenters
|-
| ''[[Convoy PQ 17|PQ17: An Arctic Convoy Disaster]]'' || Presenter ||
|-
| 2015 || ''[[TFI Friday]]'' || Participant<ref>{{cite news |last=Singh |first=Anita |date=8 June 2015 |title=Jeremy Clarkson to appear on TFI Friday |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/11659976/Jeremy-Clarkson-to-appear-on-TFI-Friday.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=1 March 2019 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/11659976/Jeremy-Clarkson-to-appear-on-TFI-Friday.html |archive-date=10 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}</ref> ||
|-
| 2016–2024 || ''[[The Grand Tour]]'' || rowspan="4" | Presenter || 6 series (46 Episodes)<br>The show's studio format was discontinued after series 3. Series 4–6 (2019–24) are composed solely of feature-length road trip specials.
|-
| 2018–present || ''[[Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (British game show)|Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?]]'' || 9 series (85 episodes)
|-
| 2020–2021 || ''[[...on Television|It's Clarkson on TV]]'' || 5 episodes
|-
| 2021–present || ''[[Clarkson's Farm]]'' || 4 series (32 episodes)
|}

===Music video appearances===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Song
! Role
! Notes
! Ref
|-
| 1993 || "[[Mr Blobby (song)|Mr Blobby]]" || Chauffeur || 1993 [[Christmas No.1]]||
<ref>{{cite web |last=Evans |first=Mel |date=27 February 2020 |title=Remembering Jeremy Clarkson as Mr Blobby's chauffeur |url=https://metro.co.uk/2020/02/27/remember-jeremy-clarkson-mr-blobbys-chauffeur-1993-time-alive-12316986/}}</ref>
|}

==Bibliography==
{| class=wikitable
|-
! Book !! Publisher !! Year
|-
| ''Jeremy Clarkson's Motorworld'' || BBC Books<br />Penguin Books || rowspan="2" | 1996<br /><small>Reprinted</small> 2004
|-
| ''Clarkson on Cars'' || Virgin Books<br />Penguin Books
|-
| ''Clarkson's Hot 100'' || Virgin Books<br />Carlton Books || 1997<br /><small>Reprinted</small> 1998
|-
| ''Planet Dagenham'' || Andre Deutsch<br />Carlton Books || 1998<br /><small>Reprinted</small> 2006
|-
| ''Born to be Riled'' || BBC Books<br />Penguin Books || 1999<br /><small>Reprinted</small> 2007
|-
| ''[[Jeremy Clarkson on Ferrari]]'' || Lancaster Books<br />Salamander Books || 2000<br /><small>Reprinted</small> 2001
|-
| ''[[The World According to Clarkson]]'' || Icon Books<br />Penguin Books || 2004<br /><small>Reprinted</small> 2005
|-
| ''I Know You Got Soul'' || rowspan="7" | Michael Joseph<br />Penguin Books || 2005<br /><small>Reprinted</small> 2006
|-
| ''And Another Thing...: The World According To Clarkson Volume 2'' || 2006<br /><small>Reprinted</small> 2007
|-
| ''Don't Stop Me Now!!'' || 2007<br /><small>Reprinted</small> 2008
|-
| ''For Crying Out Loud!: The World According To Clarkson Volume 3'' || 2008<br /><small>Reprinted</small> 2009
|-
| ''[[Driven to Distraction (Clarkson book) |Driven to Distraction]]'' || 2009<br /><small>Reprinted</small> 2010
|-
| ''How Hard Can It Be?: The World According To Clarkson Volume 4'' || 2010<br /><small>Reprinted</small> 2011
|-
| ''Round The Bend'' || 2011<br /><small>Reprinted</small> 2012
|-
| ''The Top Gear Years'' || rowspan="12" | Penguin Books || 2012<br /><small>Reprinted</small> 2013
|-
| ''Is It Really Too Much To Ask?: The World According To Clarkson Volume 5'' || 2013<br /><small>Reprinted</small> 2014
|-
| ''What Could Possibly Go Wrong...'' || 2014<br /><small>Reprinted</small> 2015
|-
| ''As I was saying...: The World According To Clarkson Volume 6'' || 24 September 2015
|-
| ''If You'd Just Let Me Finish: The World According To Clarkson Volume 7'' || October 2018
|-
| ''Really?'' || October 2019
|-
| ''Can You Make This Thing Go Faster?: The World According To Clarkson Volume 8'' || October 2020
|-
| ''Diddly Squat: A Year on the Farm'' || November 2021
|-
| ''Diddly Squat: 'Til The Cows Come Home'' || September 2022
|-
| ''Diddly Squat: Pigs Might Fly'' || October 2023
|-
| ''Diddly Squat: Home to Roost'' || October 2024
|-
| ''Diddly Squat: The Farmer's Dog'' || October 2025
|}
* Two books containing the best columns from previous publications, titled "The Collected Thoughts of Clarkson" and "Never Played Golf", were issued by ''[[Top Gear (magazine)|Top Gear]]'' magazine, in 2003 and 2004 respectively.

==Britcar 24 Hour results==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%"
|-
! Year
! Team
! Co-drivers
! Car
! {{Tooltip|Car no.|Car number}}
! Class
! Laps
! {{Tooltip|Pos.|Overall Position}}
! {{Tooltip|Class<br />pos.|Class Position}}
! {{Reference column heading}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
! [[2007 Britcar 24 Hour|2007]]
|align="left"| {{Flag icon|Great Britain}} Team Top Gear
|align="left"| {{Flag icon|Great Britain}} [[Ben Collins (racing driver)|"The Stig"]]<br />{{Flag icon|Great Britain}} [[James May]]<br />{{Flag icon|Great Britain}} [[Richard Hammond]]
|align="left"| [[BMW 3 Series (E46)|BMW 330d]]
| 78
| 4
| 396
| 39th
|style="background:#FFDF9F;"| '''3rd'''
| <ref>{{cite web|title=Britcar 24 Hours – Provisional Result|url=https://archive2.dailysportscar.com/viewArticle.cfm@articleUID=EB269CAD-1143-FDC9-35112B6B639762A4.html|year=2007|publisher=DailySportsCar|access-date=11 June 2023}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
|}

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==Further reading==
* ''Jeremy Clarkson's Motorworld'' (1996), {{ISBN|0-563-38730-0}}
* ''Clarkson on Cars: Writings and Rantings of the BBC's Top Motoring Correspondent'' (1996), {{ISBN|0-86369-964-2}}
* ''Clarkson's Hot 100'' (1997), {{ISBN|1-85227-730-0}}
* ''Jeremy Clarkson's Planet Dagenham: Drivestyles of the Rich and Famous'' (1998), {{ISBN|0-233-99335-5}}
* ''Born to Be Riled: The Collected Writings of Jeremy Clarkson'' (1999) (re-published 2007), {{ISBN|0-563-55146-1}}
* ''Jeremy Clarkson's Ultimate Ferrari'' (2001), {{ISBN|1-84065-358-2}}
* ''[[The World According to Clarkson]]'' (2004), {{ISBN|0-7181-4730-8}}
* ''Clarkson on Cars'' (2004), {{ISBN|0-14-101788-0}}
* ''I Know You Got Soul'' (2004), {{ISBN|0-7181-4729-4}}
* ''Motorworld'' (2004), {{ISBN|0-14-101787-2}}
* ''The World According to Clarkson 2: And Another Thing...'' (2006), {{ISBN|0-7181-4985-8}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Jeremy Clarkson}}
{{Wikiquote|Jeremy Clarkson}}
* {{IMDb name|id=0165087}}
* {{Twitter|JeremyClarkson}}
* [https://www.thetimes.com/profile/jeremy-clarkson Archive of Clarkson's ''Sunday Times'' columns]
* {{Journalisted|jeremy-clarkson}}
{{Jeremy Clarkson}}{{National Television Award for Special Recognition}}
{{RTS Programme Award for Best Presenter}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Clarkson, Jeremy}}
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