During the episode, Clarkson told co-stars Charlie Ireland and Kaleb Cooper that he had cancer.

When Cooper asked where the cancer was, Clarkson responded: “Where it is of no concern of anybody. I’ve known since May.”

He went on to explain that he underwent a biopsy and described the cancer as “aggressive”, but had been caught at a “really early” stage.

Clarkson also revealed that he was about to undergo surgery and would be “slightly out of action” during his recovery.

Later in the episode, he confirmed the cancer was in his prostate and explained that he had undergone a procedure to remove part of it.

“The prostate, 10 per cent of it’s dead,” he said. “The 10 per cent where the cancer is.”

Speaking from a hospital bed later in the programme, Clarkson revealed that some of the treatment had “gone awry”.

“I’m going to be here for a little while,” Clarkson continued. “I don’t know what’s going to happen.”