Outspoken broadcaster Piers Morgan recently recounted a dramatic episode involving Jeremy Clarkson, who once punched him in the head during a dispute over published photographs. The incident happened in 2004, when Clarkson was married to Frances Cain. Clarkson had asked Morgan, then editor of the Daily Mirror, not to publish images of him with a woman who was not his wife, but Morgan proceeded with the publication anyway.
The tension culminated at the British Press Awards, where Clarkson confronted Morgan physically. In his book Woke Is Dead, Morgan admitted, “He ended up punching me before we settled things at the British Press Awards. I still have the scar on my forehead, and it wasn’t entirely unjustified, so I have no complaints about it, although I thought he had a very weak punch. He even broke his finger hitting my head, which I found quite satisfying.”
Despite this volatile history, Morgan explains that they have since reconciled. Clarkson reached out unexpectedly and proposed meeting for a drink. They met at Morgan’s local pub, and the two shared a surprisingly pleasant evening. Their children even helped “officially” ratify their peace treaty. Morgan reflects, “We’re never going to be best friends, but now we tolerate each other without wanting to punch each other, which is a major step forward.”
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Clarkson has also spoken about the altercation, describing it humorously in a 2022 Times column: “’Why’s your f****** wife looking at me like that?’ he thundered. So I punched him. And then I punched him again. And then I thought: ‘You know what? I don’t think this would ever get boring.’ So I punched him again. And, annoyingly, broke my finger.”
Outside their drama, Clarkson continues to share his life on his Diddly Squat farm, which he took over six years ago after leaving Top Gear. He frequently updates fans on his farming journey and the unique machinery he uses, including a military-grade Supacat vehicle adapted for wood collection. Despite its rugged capabilities, Clarkson admits, “It is quite difficult to get in and out of if you are old and broken.”
From media clashes to farm life reflections, the story between Clarkson and Morgan showcases a turbulent past turned to cautious mutual respect.