Clarkson’s partner of nine years said his decision to go public has helped thousands
Jeremy Clarkson said two heartbreaking words to his partner Lisa Hogan when he learned of his cancer diagnosis. The Clarkson’s Farm host is currently in remission after revealing he had “aggressive” prostate cancer.
Clarkson’s partner said that while he was initially apprehensive about going public with his health update, his decision to do so has helped thousands of people.
The former Top Gear presenter underwent high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to treat his condition. It is a minimally invasive procedure that uses high-frequency soundwaves to heat and destroy targeted cancer cells.
When speaking about whether to make his health public knowledge, Hogan said Clarkson made an emotional plea. But it was one of Clarkson’s team members that helped him make the call.
She told the Daily Star Sunday: “I’m really happy he caught his prostate cancer early and I’m really proud of him for putting it on the show, because that was a really big decision.
“When I was filming him in hospital at first, he said, ‘Please don’t’.
“It was (producer) Andy Wilman who convinced him to do it, to help everybody else. When the show came out, Prostate Cancer UK had 30,000 people going on to their website in one day.”
Hogan added that opening up to loved ones also helped him, even though he was reluctant at first. “Yes, of course it was a terrible worry,” she added. “But what I did encourage him to do was to talk to his friends.
“He didn’t want to initially, but he’s got lots of friends who’ve been through the same thing and he’s been talking to them about it. I think that’s really helped.”
Back in June, Clarkson revealed his diagnosis on an episode of his own show Clarkson’s Farm. What started as a chat about the harvest with farm manager Charlie Ireland and farmhand Kaleb Cooper turned into an unexpected revelation.
“I’ve got cancer,” he informed the duo. “I’ve known since May.”
“I had a medical, you remember back in May. I disappeared off the other week and I had a biopsy and it is cancer and it’s aggressive, but it’s really early so the treatment will be, you know.”
Following his initial procedure, he explained to Mr Cooper that “10 per cent” of his prostate had been removed using ultrasound technology.
