Jeremy Clarkson Reveals Struggle With Illness – “I’m Not Alone”

Jeremy Clarkson, the acclaimed former Top Gear presenter, has recently expressed his concerns about an illness often associated with babies, fearing he might be suffering from it.

Key Takeaways:

• Jeremy Clarkson, known for his work on Top Gear and Clarkson’s Farm, has been experiencing symptoms resembling whooping cough since mid-December, including a runny nose and persistent cough, despite trying various over-the-counter remedies.
• The NHS describes whooping cough (pertussis) as a highly contagious bacterial infection, primarily affecting babies and children. However, data from the UK Health Security Agency shows a significant increase in cases among adults in recent times.
• Clarkson highlights the global severity of the illness, with almost 300,000 deaths annually, mostly in children, and expresses his astonishment over the lack of attention to the recent outbreak in the UK.

Jeremy Clarkson, a household name for his dynamic presence on television shows like Top Gear and the Amazon Prime series Clarkson’s Farm, has recently shared his struggle with a health issue that is typically associated with infants. The illness in question, whooping cough, has been a cause of concern for Clarkson since mid-December. He describes his symptoms as a relentless cough and a constantly running nose, saying, “I cough myself to sleep at night, my nose is like a tap, and every morning I produce about a pint of phlegm. I’ve tried everything. Pills. Lemsip. Sitting in front of a roaring fire watching Slow Horses.”

In an era where Covid-19 has dominated health discussions, Clarkson’s ailment serves as a reminder of other infectious diseases that can still pose a significant threat. His comments reflect a broader concern:

“It seems I’m not alone. Doctors are saying that, across the country, thousands of others are suffering too from what’s become known as ‘the 100 day cough’ or as it used to be called ‘whooping cough’ – an infection he believed had died out several years ago.”

The UK Health Security Agency corroborates Clarkson’s fears, noting a rise in whooping cough cases in England and Wales. In the latter part of the previous year, there were 716 suspected cases compared to just 217 in the same period in 2022. Experts believe that the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic may have contributed to this increase.

In an alarming statistic, Clarkson points out that nearly 300,000 people, mostly children, succumb to this infection globally each year. He questions the apparent lack of attention to this outbreak in the UK, despite its severity.

Despite his health concerns, Clarkson has continued to work on his farm, though he humorously speculates whether he might just be suffering from a severe cold. His closing remark is laced with his characteristic wit:

“Either way, it’s not the end of the world, because if I do become really ill, I can always see a doctor at my local hospital. No, hang on a minute.”