Jeremy Clarkson has revealed that Clarkson’s Farm star Gerald Cooper is ‘on the mend’, following the heartbreaking news that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer early in season 3.
Earlier today fans of the Amazon hit show were left shocked after footage emerged of the poignant moment Clarkson is told of Gerald’s heartbreaking diagnosis.
The 74-year-old, who has been a hit with fans for his difficult to understand West Country accent and natural charm on screen, is being treated for prostate cancer and underwent surgery at some point last year.
After the surgery later in the series, Clarkson says: ‘The word is he’s on the mend.’
To which, farmhand Kaleb Cooper, 25, no relation to Gerald, replies: ‘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 Farm star Gerald Cooper who has been diagnosed with cancer, with the shocking news revealed in the latest series of the hit Amazon show
Jeremy Clarkson pictured in a seen from at the end of the first episode,where receives the heartbreaking news during a phone call with who is thought to be Gerald’s wife
The former Top Gear and Grand Tour presenter is seen to be in dismay, before telling the cameras ‘Gerald’s got cancer. Oh s***’
Clarkson agrees with his co-star and adds: ‘I know we do want him back.’
Gerald’s condition had been kept secret from fans of the show until the latest series, which was filmed last year, aired on Amazon Prime earlier today.
At the end of the first episode, Jeremy Clarkson receives the heartbreaking news during a phone call with what is thought to be Gerald’s wife.
Viewers are left in suspense as the former Top Gear and Grand Tour presenter is seen to be in dismay, before telling the cameras ‘Gerald’s got cancer. Oh s***.’
Clarkson later reveals in the second episode more details about Gerald’s cancer diagnosis. He tells viewers: ‘Gerald had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Something me and Kaleb discussed while trying to do what our absent friend normally does.’
The motoring star is seen rebuilding a wall with Cooper, a job that usually fell to Gerald as Diddly Squat Farm’s resident dry stone-waller.
Jeremy says: ‘I’ve been phoning around, doctors and things I know, and his odds are really good but it’s scaring him to death.’ Kaleb replies ‘He doesn’t understand, you know that.’
Jeremy adds: ‘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.’
Kaleb then praises Gerald for how ‘strong’ he is, adding that he has ‘worked on the land all of his life.’
It was previously revealed that Gerald has been combine harvesting on the farm for 50 years and seems to have a constant smile on his face.
His hilarious demeanour captured the hearts of the nation in the first series of Clarkson’s farm and had viewers in stitches with his strong West Country accent, which Jeremy occasionally struggles to understand.
The motoring star is later seen rebuilding a wall with farmhand Kaleb Cooper, 25, a job that usually fell to Gerald as Diddly Squat Farm’s resident dry stone-waller
Jeremy appears to be deeply concerned for his friend as he tells viewers Gerald is ‘desperately upset’ and ‘terrified’ about his diagnosis
Later in the series, Kaleb and Clarkson provide a positive update about Gerald’s recovery.
‘He had his op three days ago. Have you talked to him?,’ Jeremy asks Kaleb.
He replies: ‘Yeah I spoke to him two days ago, I’m going to take him some pork.
‘He wants some belly pork so he must be feeling a little bit better. He seems happier now as well.’
Jeremy later provided another positive update telling viewers, Gerald was ‘on the mend.’
Kaleb then jokes: ‘That’s what we like to hear, there’s a few walls that fell down so we need him to be back at it.’
Gerald does not appear in person in any of the first four episodes of the series which has dropped on Amazon today.
it is not known whether he will return for the last half of the series until will be released on the streaming site on May 10.
Although the kind-hearted tradesman does feature in some of the promotional material for the show.
So fingers crossed he delights viewers with his long awaited return.
Gerald pictured with Clarkson in a scene from series one of Clarkson’s farm. Gerald has been combine harvesting on the farm for 50 years and seems to have a constant smile on his face
The 74-year-old, pictured with Clarkson, has been a hit with fans for his difficult to understand West Country accent and natural charm on screen
The kind-hearted tradesman does feature in some of the promotional material for the show, such as this image where he is seen on the right
Stars of the show: (From left to right) Gerald Cooper, Charlie Ireland, Lisa Hogan, Kaleb Cooper and Jeremy Clarkson
David Beckham is pictured with fan favourite Gerald during a visit to Jeremy Clarkson’s farm
Clarkson previously revealed the Gerald’s funny demeanour was one of many inspirations behind creating the show.
He told Farmers Weekly: ‘He’s such a character, I knew he’d be great on TV.’
Since the series first aired back in 2021, Clarkson has spoken of his fondness for Gerald, who is supposedly an avid Manchester United fan.
Jeremy told the Oxford Mail: ‘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…never been outside the village, but has worked on this farm for 50 years. He’s a great dry stone-waller, which is a dying art.’
The news of Gerald’s cancer is one of a number of heartbreaking scenes within the new series.
Clarkson also reveals in the first episode of the new series he can no longer afford to keep all of his cows after West Oxfordshire District Council tells him has to close down his newly opened restaurant.
In a touching moment as he watches the cows being loaded up onto the lorry, Jeremy turns to his land agent and advisor for a heart-to-heart.
Jeremy Clarkson becomes tearful as he and his wife are forced to send their beloved ‘pet’ cow Pepper to the abattoir
As he watches the cows being loaded up onto the lorry, Jeremy turns to his land agent and advisor Charlie Ireland for a heart-to-heart to ask what will happen to Pepper
Pepper is pictured being loaded into a van where she will be taken away to the abattoir, bringing Clarkson to tears as he watches on
‘I’m finding today really quite sad as for the last year I’ve been opening the windows, opening the curtains in the morning and there are the cows. And I love that,’ Jeremy says.
‘Making cow noises. It just cheers my heart every morning to see them.’
His worries then turn to the calves as he affectionately asks whether they will be able to sleep tonight.
But Kaleb Cooper then tells Jeremy it is he who won’t be sleeping as they ‘will be calling all night long’.
Clearly anxious about Pepper’s future, Charlie gives Jeremy a word of warning when he asks what will happen to her.
‘I wouldn’t ask too many questions about Pepper,’ Charlie says. ‘Don’t ask questions you don’t want to know the answers to.’
There is an awkward moment of silence as Jeremy stares and blinks before turning away and letting out a big audible sigh and muttering: ‘Oh Christ.’