Jeremy Clarkson has heart surgery after 'calling doctors when Alex Salmond died'

The 64-year-old went to see his doctor after the former First Minister's death - and tests found he was "days away" from becoming very ill.

Jeremy Clarkson has revealed he underwent a heart procedure after a “sudden deterioration” in his health.

The former Top Gear presenter said a swim on holiday appeared to cause him difficulties using stairs, with symptoms worsening when he returned to the UK.

The Clarkson’s Farm star said he felt “clammy”, a “tightness in my chest” and “pins and needles in my left arm”.

The 64-year-old went to see his doctor after hearing about former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond’s sudden death last weekend.

He ended up going to Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital via ambulance, but tests including an electrocardiogram (ECG) ruled out a heart attack.

Clarkson said doctors believed he was potentially “days away” from becoming very ill.

Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!

Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.

You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.

No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.

All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!

If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.

We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.

To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.

If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

“It seems that of the arteries feeding my heart with nourishing blood, one was completely blocked and the second of three was heading that way,” he told The Sunday Times.

He had a stent fitted within two hours. The device works to prevent future heart attacks by improving blood flow to the heart. Jeremy continued: “It wasn’t especially painful. Just odd,” adding that he has thought since: “Crikey, that was close.”

Jeremy also tried to make light of the situation as he admitted “wondering what water tastes like and if it’s possible to make celery interesting” after his health scare. He already gave up smoking after he got pneumonia while on holiday in Spain.

Earlier this week Jeremy sparked concern among fans after he was seen with a “suspicious looking” dressing on his wrist while promoting his new book on social media. He was seen with what appeared to be an injury as he talked about book recommendations following his trip overseas with partner Lisa Hogan, 52.

Jeremy gave a quick overview of a few novels, including Annihilation by Michel Houellebecq and Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. But it quickly emerged that his book reviews were simply a way to segue into his own book, Diddly Squat: Home to Roost, which is set for release on October 24.

But although Jeremy was gesturing to his books with the dressing in clear view of the camera, he didn’t mention it. Fans spotted it immediately though, and got on to the TV presenter in the comments. One concerned fan wrote: “How’d you hurt your wrist Jezza?” Another thought there was something fishy going on, questioning: “What happened to you hand? That’s a suspicious looking bandage.”

A third social media user decided to play detective, pondering: “Wrist injury is worrying, tanline on his other wrist too…” One cynical genius reckons the whole thing was a publicity stunt, typing: “Now the rumours will start from that strategically placed plaster… this fella knows how to play the PR game.”

But an exasperated fan just pleaded: “We all need to know what’s happened to your wrist man!!!”

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.

Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.