The ex-BBC producer gave fans insight into what Clarkson was like in the early days of Top Gear.
Top Gear producer has revealed what it’s really like to work with Jeremy Clarkson
Former Top Gear producer Andy Wilman has opened up about what it’s really like to work with Jeremy Clarkson. On Monday, the ex-BBC boss sat down with Jake Humphrey on the High Performance podcast to talk about his time on the motoring programme and his close relationship with the 66-year-old presenter. As he reflected on their friendship over the years, he revealed how moving into farming has helped the Who Wants To Be A Millionaire host’s relationship with work.
He gave fans an insight into the early days of filming Top Gear and how the on-and-off shooting schedule made the dad-of-three “agitated” on set. Mr Wilman explained: “When the camera goes on, obviously, he goes up a notch to perform and talk, but you do see a calmer man.
“Top Gear Jeremy was mental and then nothing, the same with Grand Tour, then nothing. So you’d get an agitated Jeremy because he’s programmed to work,” he confessed.
Looking back at how his work ethic has changed since he bought the Oxfordshire farm in 2019, he credited the Cotswolds haven as his “descent into calmness.” The producer revealed: “The farm is the best green run ski slope descent into calmness that you could ever have.
“Because it’s still work, it still requires a lot of effort and brainpower, but all he’s got to do is step out of his front door, and he’s at work. We don’t have to get on a plane and go to Mauritania and have a crew of eight million and all that stuff, which gets wearing.
“He’s got veterans from Top Gear and Grand Tour. He’s absolutely in the sweetest spot.” Talking about how their shooting schedule has changed so dramatically, the producer confessed that Clarkson has transitioned from heavily scheduled itineraries to completely spontaneous shoots.
Mr Wilman told listeners: “They’ll film a scene like moving goats or a cow birth, and then after that’s done, they’ll go and have a cup of coffee. And sometimes they go, ‘What should we do next?’
“They’re gonna do something, but they have a think about it, and that’s just joy for somebody who wants to work, but he’s not got a newspaper deadline or the weight of the world’s expectations on him.” It didn’t take long for fans to flock to the comments to share their thoughts on Clarkson’s transition from the big city life to his humble farming haven.
One user penned: “I agree. It’s very clear farming suits Jeremy very much. But if I may be so bold, his lavish lifestyle in entertainment hasn’t put in a foundation of health and fitness he now needs to run a very, very physical job. But he is happy, and we are seeing the real, true, gentle guy he is.”
Another agreed: “He’s earned it all. He has given us so much joy and entertainment for years. Clarkson’s Farm is his best show yet.” A third chimed in with: “Jeremy is a true icon.”
