Clarkson’s Farm star Gerald Cooper revealed his cancer diagnosis on the latest series of the Prime Video show.
The 74-year-old has been a firm fixture on Diddly Squat since the series began in 2021, taking on farming, dry stone walling, and even becoming the farm’s ‘head of security’ at one point.
In the first episode of the latest season, which was filmed last year, viewers learned of the farmer’s cancer diagnosis after Jeremy Clarkson received a phone call about Cooper’s health.
Turning to the camera, the former Top Gear presenter said in shock: “Gerald’s got cancer. Oh s**t.”
In the following episode, Clarkson, 64, confirmed that Cooper had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and revealed that the diagnosis has left the farmer “terrified”.
Speaking to Kaleb Cooper, 25, Clarkson shared: “I’ve been phoning around, doctors and things I know, and his odds are really good but it’s scaring him to death.
To which Kaleb replied: “He doesn’t understand, you know that.”
Clarkson said in agreement: “I know he doesn’t understand and he’s bewildered because, for obvious reasons, somebody said, ‘Look, I’m sorry it’s cancer’, and that’s all he heard.
“He’s desperately upset, terrified. Poor man.”
After Cooper had undergone an operation later in the series, Clarkson shared later in the series a positive health update and said: “The word is he’s on the mend.”
To which, Kaleb quipped: “That’s what we like to hear, there’s a few walls that fell down so we need him to be back at it.”
Clarkson’s agreed: “I know we do want him back.”
The Grand Tour presenter previously revealed that Cooper was the original inspiration for the hit series, recalling how thought he was “such a character” that would “be great on TV”.
Although Clarkson may struggle with the farmer’s West Country accent every so often, he warmly acknowledged Cooper’s dedication to working on the land for 50 years.
He previously told the Oxford Mall: “It doesn’t matter if you can’t understand what he’s talking about, because he’s usually talking about Manchester United.
“He’s fantastic. We’ve known each other for a very long time. He’s 72, also never been outside the village, but has worked on this farm for 50 years.”
