Jeremy Clarkson Says He’s ‘Doing Everything I Can Not to Die’ After Heart Surgery: ‘I’m Buying Time’

Jeremy Clarkson is doing everything he can to turn his health around following his medical emergency last year.

In October 2024, the former Top Gear host, 64, underwent emergency heart surgery, where he had two stents fitted to improve blood flow to his heart. At the time, he experienced a “sudden deterioration” in his health and feared he was “days from death.”

Now, in his column for the Sunday Times — published Feb. 2 — the English media personality is detailing how he’s hoping to make significant lifestyle changes in order to improve his health and live long for his family.

“I’m doing everything I can not to die,” Clarkson wrote.

Speaking about spending time with his two grandchildren, the journalist and TV host said, “I have decided that it is so wonderful that I want it to go on for as long as is humanly possible. Which means I must do everything in my power to not die.”

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Clarkson explained that he’s tried many times over the years to get fit and “each attempt has ended in failure” because he doesn’t like discomfort and finds gyms — and everyone in them — weird.

He admitted that even going for a walk is unlikely for him, and when he does make it out of the house, he’s moving at a very slow pace.

“Michelangelo’s David burns more calories than I do when I’m out and about, “ he wrote. “So I continued to get fatter and more out of breath, and when you want to see your grandchildren grow up, that’s not good enough.”

“So far I’ve relied on luck to keep me alive,” he added. “But I’m in sniper’s alley right now and I have to work at dodging the bullets.”

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Clarkson said he eventually decided to try reformer pilates.

“I’m not unenjoying it,” he admitted, explaining that he’s happy because it doesn’t feel like he’s actually working out.

“Two years ago, I saw old age as a wearisome tangle of tubes and knee replacement surgery. Now though, thanks to my grandchildren, I’m actively looking forward to it,” Clarkson wrote. “I’m buying time. It hurts and it’s expensive. But it’s better than wasting your money on a new watch.”

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