Jeremy Clarkson has candidly spoken about the intense pressure of running a pub, admitting it “messed with my heart.” Known for his time on Top Gear and his hit Prime Video series Clarkson’s Farm, Clarkson took on a new challenge last summer by opening The Farmer’s Dog pub in Asthall, near Burford, Oxfordshire—while still managing his nearby Diddly Squat Farm.
The 14th-century pub came with numerous issues: no gas, barely any electricity, and almost no water supply. Jeremy aimed to launch the venue by the August bank holiday, balancing this alongside the demanding harvest season at his farm, where he cultivates barley, rapeseed, and wheat.
Reflecting on the grueling schedule, Clarkson revealed to The Sun’s TV magazine, “I was working 20 hours, 24 hours sometimes—literally round the clock. I like hard work. If I don’t do something constructive in a day, I can’t really get to sleep that night. But that was silly, and it did actually mess my heart up. It’s very stressful running a pub, it’s more stressful than running a farm.”
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Last year, Clarkson faced a serious health scare when he experienced symptoms resembling a heart attack during a holiday. Upon returning home, his condition worsened, making simple tasks like climbing stairs difficult. After experiencing tingling in his left arm, clamminess, and chest tightness, he sought immediate medical care. While doctors ruled out a heart attack, they discovered a completely blocked artery, necessitating the placement of a stent.
Since then, Clarkson has dramatically changed his lifestyle, adopting healthier habits and altering his diet. He shared in The Sun, “Literally, I am not allowed to have fun any more. If I go to a party, I must stand in a corner, nursing some refreshing elderflower juice, before going home at about 9.30. That’s terrifying.”
In a later interview, Clarkson admitted cutting out many favorite foods, including bacon, sausages, beef, lamb, pork, butter, chips, traditional milk, Cadbury’s fruit and nut bars, and even parts of an egg. He told Best magazine, “My phone flashed up this morning, and it read, you are taking far fewer steps this week than last. It also said, you are eating far fewer sausages. I now eat celery, and I feel better for it.”
Despite the health challenges and the stress of expanding his business ventures, Clarkson remains committed to his work and new lifestyle, focusing on recovery and endurance.