Jeremy Clarkson shares co-star's 'horrific' cancer battle in emotional statement

By Gemma Jones, Showbiz Reporter

Lisa Hogan shares health update on Clarkson's Farm Gerald Cooper

Jeremy Clarkson has opened up on his co-star's "horrific" cancer diagnosis as he praised him for the work that he does around Clarkson's Farm. Local dry stone waller and ‘head of security’, Gerald Cooper, sadly missed half of season 3 after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Now, TV superstar Jeremy Clarkson has given his backing to a new racehorse syndicate fronted by his Clarkson’s Farm co-star, Gerald Cooper, which has been set up to raise awareness and funds for Prostate Cancer UK.

Speaking to Old Gold Racing, Clarkson said: “It was horrific when we learned Gerald [Cooper] had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

"All cancer diagnoses are horrendous – but this place [Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm] wouldn’t even be a tenth of the place it is without Gerald knocking about.”

Talking about the new syndicate set up by Old Gold Racing, Clarkson said: “It’s a lovely thing to do. Pretty well everyone knows someone who has had cancer of some sort, so please, let’s get behind Gerald and The Mullet, and let’s see if we can do something about this bloody awful disease.”

Jeremy Clarkson opened up on his co-star's health (Image: Amazon Prime)

Gerald was able to return at the end of Clarkson’s Farm 3 following a course of successful radiotherapy. At the very end of the third series, a tearful Gerald stopped the show to deliver a message to his fellow cast members while clearly emotional and struggling to hold back tears.

He told Jeremy, Kaleb Cooper, Lisa Hogan and Charlie Ireland: “I would like to thank everybody, all the film crew and all my friends here, all of you have been so kind to me and my family. Thanks very much.”

As Gerald made his return to the Diddly Squat Farm in Oxfordshire, Jeremy was made up. Clearly delighted, he gushed: "Hang on – no way. He's back - Gerald’s Back! I cannot believe it."

Gerald Cooper and Jeremy Clarkson pose with The Mullet alongside Charlie Longsdon (Image: Old Gold Racing)

"Because I know obviously you've been poorly, but have you been having chemo?" Jeremy enquired. Gerald took him through his treatment, before Jeremy asked if he had the all clear. "I haven't got the all clear but touch wood," he said knocking on his head, jokingly.

"I can't even get my head around it!" Jeremy exclaimed, before Gerald went into a detailed explanation of his treatment in his own unique style, leading Jeremy to say: "This is the best description of cancer treatments I've ever heard."

Jeremy showed his admiration for his friend and co-star as he added: "You've no idea how much we've all missed you. It must be nice to be back."