Fans of Clarkson’s Farm will be familiar with Alan Townsend, the skilled handyman who has been a crucial part of Jeremy Clarkson’s journey, especially in the ambitious launch of his new pub, the Farmer’s Dog.
In the emotional season four finale, Alan opened up about a serious health matter. He revealed to Clarkson and the team—including Charlie Ireland, Lisa Hogan, Gerald Cooper, Kaleb Cooper, and Annie Gray—that he is scheduled for a quadruple bypass heart surgery.
“Yeah, we’re in next Tuesday at the hospital. Quadruple bypass coming,” Alan shared candidly. Jeremy Clarkson acknowledged the risks involved, adding, “And they’ve got to test for stroke likelihood as well,” to which Alan confirmed, “Yeah, because I had that stroke.”
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Reflecting on the resilience of their team, Jeremy noted Gerald’s recovery from prostate cancer last year and expressed hope as they concluded the season, “So we’re ending this year, with our fingers crossed.”
Alan, maintaining his characteristic optimism, said, “Yeah, well, it should… It’s pretty routine these days, isn’t it?” Yet he admitted the emotional toll, “Oh, frightened to death. I don’t even like thinking about it.”
Despite medical advice to rest, Alan explained his choice to keep working: “That’s why I keep going to work, keep out of the way. They told me to really just take it easy and stay at home. But if you stay, you’ll be worrying to death about it.”
To lift spirits, Jeremy toasted in Alan’s honor: “We couldn’t have gotten the pub open without you. We’ll name a wing after you. I’m not saying if it goes wrong, we’ll name a wing after you, we’ll name a wing after you anyway. The Alan Townsend Wing.”
Gerald brought some much-needed humor to the moment: “I’ve got a foot pump, I’ll bring him around, don’t you worry… If he starts deflating, I’ll pump him back up.”
Fans can now catch up on series four of Clarkson’s Farm, available to stream on Prime Video.