Jeremy Clarkson has hit back at a cruel remark about his recent health scare.
The former Top Gear presenter, 64, revealed he underwent a heart procedure after experiencing a ‘sudden deterioration’ in his health, and was rushed to hospital in an ambulance.
He was swimming on holiday a few weeks ago in the Indian Ocean, and said it left him ‘mostly dead’ and suffering from worrying symptoms including being ‘clammy’, with a ‘tightness in my chest’, and ‘pins and needles in my left arm’.
He had stent fitted after doctors discovered that one of his arteries was ‘completely blocked’, and is now thankfully recovering.
Clarkson has since thanked followers on social media for their well-wishes and support, and also issued a sharp response about his diet.
Replying to a comment which read ‘Now he seems to have had a heart attack, and needed surgery what does he expect eating all that meat? He can’t be surprised!’ the Clarkson’s Farm star said: ‘Better than dying of vegetable induced boredom.’
Several followers replied with laughing emojis, with @TTurnerGB saying: ‘Classic Clarkson.’
‘Get well and then stay well please. Ignore all the cobblers,’ @Princess_Mumzy added.
Writing in his column for The Sunday Times last weekend, Clarkson explained that he ended up in an ambulance to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, where a heart attack was ruled out after he had an electrocardiogram (ECG), blood tests and X-rays.
He was then whisked into an operating theatre, after further checks, and doctors warned him that he was perhaps ‘days away’ from getting very ill or worse.
Speaking of the procedure he underwent, he said: ‘God, it’s weird, lying there and feeling a metal pipe with a camera on the end wiggling its way round your shoulder and through your chest.’
He added: ‘It took two hours and at one point it felt like he’d put a Hoover pipe up my arm, along with a pile driver, and was busy inside my heart with a B&Q chisel and hammer gift set.
‘It wasn’t especially painful. Just odd.’
Clarkson later thanked fans for their support as he rested at home to recover, telling The Sun: ‘I’m very grateful to everyone who sent supportive messages but I’m fine.
‘I just have to not do any manual labour or dishwasher emptying for the next four years.
‘At least I think that’s what the doctor said.’
Clarkson’s Farm star Kaleb Cooper also issued an update on the presenter’s health, saying: ‘I was with him when it happened and he’s definitely a fighter. He’s a strong man. He had the procedure and he’s doing really good.’
‘Yeah, he’s doing alright. He’s doing alright, he’s doing good,’ he added.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Clarkson’s Farm fans ‘cannot wait’ after sneak peek at season 4
MORE : Who Wants to Be A Millionaire? player sparks backlash with big mistake that cost £61,000
MORE : James May hits back at ‘sexist’ Top Gear criticism with five-word statement