Andy Wilman, Jeremy Clarkson’s friend and longtime collaborator, has finally shared insights into what the former Top Gear host is truly like away from the cameras. Having worked with Clarkson for over 20 years, Wilman is widely recognized as the co-creator of Top Gear and a key figure behind shows like The Grand Tour and Clarkson’s Farm.
Wilman’s first television experience began with Jeremy Clarkson’s Motorworld, and throughout their careers, he has observed the presenter’s work ethic closely. Speaking candidly to the Sunday Times, Wilman described Clarkson as a “worker bee”—a tireless, hard-working insomniac who pushes through challenges without giving up.
“He may be King of Outspoken Opinions, but behind all that Jeremy is a worker bee,” Wilman explained. “He generates his own ideas, of course, but if you tell him to do some work by a certain time, he will just get on and do as asked.”
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Their friendship dates back to their teenage years at a public school in Derbyshire. Despite Wilman’s coordination disability, the two bonded over a shared love of 1970s rock music and cigarettes. Clarkson once joked about his first impressions of Wilman, recalling how he imagined a “brain bobbing about wearing a school cap with wires connected to it”—a quirky nod to Wilman’s disability.
Beyond their friendship, Clarkson played a pivotal role in Wilman’s career. Without Jeremy’s help, Wilman believes he might still be “working on building sites.” Clarkson facilitated his first job at Auto Express magazine, paving the way for Wilman to become features editor at Top Gear magazine.
Wilman’s perspective on Clarkson aligns with other positive accounts. A recent Reddit post from a fan who met Clarkson at Diddly Squat Farm described the presenter as approachable and attentive. The fan noted, “Jeremy was more than happy to chat…I knew he’d taken my answers on board because I heard him repeating some of the things I’d said to other people later on. Great bloke in my opinion.”
This insider view paints a portrait of Jeremy Clarkson as much more than a brash television personality—he’s a dedicated professional and loyal friend who works hard and listens closely behind the scenes.