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'''I gave James May the jolly roger!!!'''
'''Jeremy Charles Robert Clarkson''' (born [[11 April]] [[1960]]) is an [[English people|English]] broadcaster and writer who specialises in motoring. He writes weekly columns for ''[[The Sunday Times (UK)|The Sunday Times]]'' and ''[[The Sun (newspaper)|The Sun]]'', but is better known for his role on the [[BBC Television|BBC TV]] show ''[[Top Gear (current format)|Top Gear]]''. The show won an International [[Emmy]] in [[2005]]. "Not a man given to considered opinion", according to the BBC,<ref>
{{cite web
| last =Waddell
| first =Dan
| title =WDYTYA? Series One: Celebrity Gallery
| work =Family History
| publisher =[[bbc.co.uk]]
| url =http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/familyhistory/get_started/wdytya_s1_celeb_gallery_04.shtml
| accessdate =2007-04-21
}}
</ref> Clarkson is known to be opinionated and forthright in his views. In the ''[[The Daily Mirror|Daily Mirror]]'' of [[9 June]] [[2000]] he was described by [[Tony Parsons (British journalist)|Tony Parsons]] as a "dazzling hero of political incorrectness". ''[[The Economist]]'', on the subject of [[road pricing]] in UK, has also described him as a "skilful [[propaganda|propagandist]] for the motoring lobby".<ref>
{{cite news
|title=Lessons from London's congestion charge
|url=http://www.economist.com/world/britain/displaystory.cfm?story_id=8746347
|format=Fee required
|publisher=[[The Economist]]
|date=[[2007-02-22]]
|accessdate=2007-03-04
}}
</ref>

==Biography==
Born in [[Doncaster]], Clarkson was educated at [[Repton School]], although he claims to have been expelled.<ref>
{{cite news
| title = Clarkson wins back his title
| url = http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,12389-1531489,00.html
| work = Life & Style, Driving
| publisher = [[Times Online|The Times]]
| date = [[2005-03-20]]
| accessdate = 2006-08-02
| quote = After being expelled from school for drinking and smoking...
}}
</ref> His first job was as a travelling salesman for his parents' business selling [[Paddington Bear]] toys, after which he trained as a journalist with the ''Rotherham Advertiser''.<ref>[http://www.bbcworld.com/content/template_clickpage.asp?pageid=2231 Jeremy Clarkson] Accessed [[2 August]] [[2006]].</ref>

In [[2004]] during an episode of the BBC's ''[[Who Do You Think You Are?]]'', Clarkson was invited to investigate his family history; including the story of his great-great-great grandfather John Kilner (1792&ndash;1857), who invented the [[Kilner jar]]; a receptacle for preserved fruit.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2004/09_september/24/who_clarkson.shtml Who Do You Think You Are?] Accessed [[2 August]] [[2006]].</ref>

In spite of his penchant for fast driving and high performance cars, Clarkson has been reported as having a clean licence.<ref>''[[Top Gear (current format)|Top Gear]]'' series 7, episode 3, "Star in a Reasonably Priced Car."</ref> Nonetheless, he is not reluctant to discuss driving fast. In a [[November 2005]] article in ''The Sunday Times'', Clarkson wrote, while discussing the [[Bugatti Veyron]], "On a recent drive across Europe I desperately wanted to reach the top speed but I ran out of road when the needle hit 240mph", and later, in the same article, "From the wheel of a Veyron, France is the size of a small coconut. I cannot tell you how fast I crossed it the other day. Because you simply wouldn’t believe me".

==Television career==
===Cars===
[[Image:Topgear.jpg|thumb|right|180px|''[[Top Gear (current format)|Top Gear]]'' DVD cover]]
Clarkson is most associated with the British motoring programme ''Top Gear'', which he presented from 1989 to 1999 in the programme's [[Top Gear (original format)|original format]], and then again from 2002, when it was relaunched in a new format after a brief period off the air. His current co-presenters are [[James May]] and [[Richard Hammond]]. It is now the most watched TV show on [[BBC Two]], with about 350 million viewers around the world.<ref>"[http://www.teamellen.com/en/article.asp?artid=3020 Ellen on BBC TWO’S Top Gear]." Team Ellen. 2 December 2005. Accessed [[2 July]] [[2006]].</ref> It won an International Emmy in 2005, for the best non-scripted entertainment show that was not broadcast in the U.S. Clarkson said: "I didn't attend the awards ceremony because I didn't know that we had won, and I only found out after a 4 am text message, whilst I was busy writing the script for the next show....". It then also received a National Television Award for best Factual Programme in 2006 defeating the likes of ''Planet Earth'' and ''Bad Lad's Army''.

Clarkson continues to release annual motoring-based videos: his first being "Clarkson - Unleashed on Cars" in 1996. Over the years, his videos have shown him driving many exotic cars, including a Ford GT40 which had been specially adapted to accommodate taller drivers; Clarkson is 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m). He is also known for destroying his most hated cars in various ways, including catapulting a [[Nissan Sunny]] using a [[trebuchet]], dropping onto a caravan a [[Porsche 911]] (after dropping a piano onto the bonnet and dousing it in hydrochloric acid, among other things) and shooting a [[Chevrolet Corvette]] with a [[Gatling gun]] attached to an airborne helicopter.
He has also presented other motoring-related series such as ''Star Cars'', ''Jeremy Clarkson's Motorworld'', and ''Jeremy Clarkson's Car Years''.'''

===Other===

For three years, Clarkson had his own chat show; ''Clarkson'', on which he was most notable for offending the Welsh by placing a 3D plastic map of Wales into a microwave oven and switching it on. He later defended this by saying "I put Wales in there because Scotland wouldn't fit". Similarly, he once removed the USA from a map and renamed the resultant space the 'South Canada Sea'.

Clarkson also hosted a six part series, ''Jeremy Clarkson Meets the Neighbours'', in which he took a Jaguar E-type around Europe visiting [[France]], [[Germany]], [[Spain]], the [[Netherlands]], [[Belgium]] and [[Italy]]. The programme explored the stereotypes of each of the countries to see whether or not they were true.

After the dismissal of [[Angus Deayton]], Clarkson was one of a number of guest hosts recruited to present the topical panel show, ''[[Have I Got News For You]]''. He was the first such host never to have previously been a guest of the programme. As of [[13 April]] [[2007]], he has presented the show five times and been a guest once. Clarkson has also appeared as a guest on the BBC series [[QI]] 4 times, 'winning' twice.

Clarkson also presented a programme looking at [[Victoria Cross]] winners, in particular focusing on his father-in-law [[Robert Henry Cain]] who won the VC during [[Operation Market Garden]] at [[Arnhem]] in [[World War 2]].

In addition to television, Clarkson also had a small role in the UK release of the 2006 [[Disney]] [[Pixar]] movie ''[[Cars (film)|Cars]]'' as the voice of Harv, [[Lightning McQueen]]'s agent. Harv is played by [[Jeremy Piven]] in the North American release.<ref>[http://observer.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,,1833026,00.html A formula one from Pixar] The Observer. Accessed [[2 August]] [[2006]].</ref>

==Engineering interests==
Clarkson is passionate about [[engineering]], especially pioneering work, as his television programmes about [[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]] and the [[Colossus computer]] have shown. Clarkson was awarded an [[honorary degree]] from [[Brunel University]] on [[September 12]], [[2003]], partly because of his work in popularising engineering, and partly because of his advocacy of [[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]] in the [[100 Greatest Britons]] programme.

In [[April 2004]] he appeared on the talk show ''[[Parkinson (TV series)|Parkinson]]'' and mentioned that he was writing a book about the [[soul]] he believes many machines have. The book, titled ''[[I Know You Got Soul]]'' was published in [[October 2004]]. He cited [[Air France Flight 4590]] as his primary example: when people heard the plane had crashed, quite aside from the sadness they felt for the loss of human life, there was also almost a sadness for the machine. Clarkson was one of the passengers on the last [[British Airways|BA]] [[Concorde]] flight on [[24 October]] [[2003]]. He paraphrased [[Neil Armstrong]] to describe the retiring of the Concorde: "This is one small step for a man, but one huge leap backwards for mankind".<ref>[http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2003492258,00.html One giant leap backwards] The Sun Online. Accessed [[2 August]] [[2006]].</ref>

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Clarkson owns various cars including a [[Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder]], a [[Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class|Mercedes-Benz SLK55]], a [[Volvo XC90]], a [[Ford Focus (International)|Ford Focus]], and an ex-military [[Land Rover Defender]], and used to own a Ford GT. His experiences with his [[Ford GT]] are well documented, having had many issues with the satellite tracker/alarm system - he reported that it would tell him the car had been stolen even when he was driving it, among other problems, including the rev limit inexplicably being reset to 600 rpm. As a result of what he called "the most miserable month's motoring possible", he returned it to Ford for a full refund. After a short period, including asking ''Top Gear'' fans for advice over the Internet, he bought back his GT. He has called it "the most unreliable car ever made", due to his never being able to complete a return journey using it. In the October 2006 edition of ''Top Gear Magazine'' James May stated that Clarkson was looking to purchase a Gallardo Spyder. Clarkson announced at MPH'06 that he had ordered the Gallardo Spyder, with orange seats, and that he sold the Ford GT to make way for it. He also owned a [[Ferrari F355]] for a short while. This was sold to make way for an [[Mercedes-Benz SL-Class|SL55 AMG]] in which the [[Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class|SLK55 AMG]] succeeded it.

He has also owned a [[1970s]] [[Alfa Romeo|Alfa]] [[Alfa Romeo GTV|GTV6]], and has a passion for the marque, declaring famously on ''Top Gear'', "You are not a petrol-head until you've owned an Alfa". In his book ''I Know You Got Soul'' the [[Alfa Romeo|Alfa]] [[Alfa Romeo 166|166]] was one of only three cars classified as having that "special something". The [[Alfa Romeo Brera|Brera]], Alfa's latest sports car, has been compared to [[Cameron Diaz]] and also been called "filth", or pornographic, by Clarkson.

His known passion for single- or two-passenger high-velocity transport led to his brief acquisition of an [[English Electric Lightning]] F.1A [[jet fighter]], which was installed in the front garden of his country home. The Lightning was subsequently removed on the orders of the local council, which "wouldn't believe my claim that it was a leaf blower", according to Clarkson on a Tiscali Motoring webchat. In fact, the whole affair was a setup for the programme ''Speed'', and English Electric Lightning XM172 is now back serving as [[gate guardian]] at Booker airfield, [[High Wycombe]].

After winning the challenge between a [[Bugatti Veyron]] and a [[Cessna]] private aeroplane, he pondered and announced that "It's quite a hollow victory really, because I've got to go for the rest of my life knowing that I'll never own that car. I'll never experience that power again."<ref>''Top Gear'' series 7 episode 5, Bugatti Veyron segment.</ref>

==Views==
Clarkson is well known for his posturing and deadpan delivery of oddball humour. This frequently includes fairly abrasive and deliberately provocative (if not caustic) remarks that have repeatedly been a source of controversy. However, Clarkson has been known to take as good as he gives, eg. responding to being [[pieing|pied]] with "Great shot!"

===Rover===
One of Clarkson's most infamous dislikes was of the [[United Kingdom|British]] car brand [[Rover (car)|Rover]]. Rover cars were manufactured at [[Austin Motor Company]]'s [[Longbridge plant]]. After BMW pulled out of Longbridge, Rover was bought by the [[Phoenix Consortium]] and the English [[MG (car)|MG]] and [[Rover (car)|Rover]] brands merged becoming the last major British owned and built car manufacturer. Clarkson did reserve some sympathy for the Rover workers left jobless, saying in his ''Sunday Times'' column, "I cannot even get teary and emotional about the demise of the company itself — though I do feel sorry for the workforce."<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/4558633.stm Row over Clarkson honorary degree] BBC News. Accessed [[2 August]] [[2006]].</ref>

===Vauxhall===
Clarkson is well known for his criticism of [[Vauxhall Motors]].<ref>{{cite news|first = Roland|last = White|title = Lib Dem MP identifies Clarkson as a global threat|work = Sunday Times|publisher = Times Newspapers| page = 17|date = 2005-11-06|accessdate = 2007-02-05}}</ref><ref name="AstraSRi">{{cite news|first= Jeremy|last= Clarkson|title= Vauxhall Astra SRi: Vauxhall, I forgive you (almost) everything|url= http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,12529-1639718,00.html| work = The Times|publisher= Times Newspapers|date= 2005-06-05|accessdate= 2007-02-05}}</ref> Clarkson has described Vauxhall's parent company [[General Motors]] as a "pensions and healthcare" company which sees the "car making side of the business as an expensive loss-making nuisance".<ref name="AstraSRi"/>

Clarkson has expressed his disdain of the [[Vauxhall Vectra]], including making what ''[[The Independent]]'' described as a "characteristically clever" film for ''Top Gear'' when the Vectra was launched, which it judged may have damaged its sales.<ref>{{cite news | first = Sean | last = O'Grady | title = Vroom with a view: The crown prince of petrolheads; Jeremy Clarkson is the self-appointed scourge of the green movement. | work = The Independent | date = 2005-09-13 | accessdate = 2007-02-05 | quote = It was a characteristically clever trick, but it didn't do the folks who made that car any favours. The Vectra wasn't the smash hit that Vauxhall hoped it would be.}}</ref> Vauxhall complained to the BBC and announced "we can take criticism but this piece was totally unbalanced".<ref>{{cite news|first= Peter|last= Woodman|title = Top Gear gives new Vauxhall a second chance| publisher = The Press Association | date = 1995-10-19 | accessdate = 2007-02-06}}</ref> He has described it as "One of my least favourite cars in the world. I've always hated it because I've always felt it was designed in a coffee break by people who couldn't care less about cars" and "one of the worst chassis I've ever come across".<ref>{{cite video | people =Jeremy Clarkson | year = | title =Top Gear [[2006-07-16]] | accessdate =2007-02-05 | medium =TV | location =London | publisher =BBC}}</ref>

However, he has expressed his approval of several Vauxhall models; he has been complimentary about Astra VXR and Astra SRi. Although highlighting that he thinks the VXR torque steers "like an absolute pig" and has poor handling in general,<ref>{{cite video | people =Jeremy Clarkson | year = | title =Top Gear [[2005-11-27]] | accessdate =2007-02-05 | medium =TV | location =London | publisher =BBC}}</ref> he has also expressed admiration for its looks, speed and price.<ref>{{cite video | people =Jeremy Clarkson | year = | title =Top Gear [[2005-11-27]] | accessdate =2005-07-24 | medium =TV | location =London | publisher =BBC}}</ref> Regarding the SRi he said, "when a car looks this good it can't be bad".<ref name="AstraSRi"/> Of the Monaro VXR he said, "It's like they had a picture of me on their desk and said (Australian accent) 'I'm gonna make that bloke a car'" and "I can't believe it... I've fallen in love... with a Vauxhall!". He later commented that the Vauxhall Monaro VXR should have window wipers on the side windows, as you spend most of your time sideways when driving in the car.

===Perodua Kelisa===
In April [[2007]] he was criticized in the [[Malaysia]]n parliament for having described one of their cars, the [[Perodua Kelisa]] as the worst in the world, built in jungles by people who wear leaves for shoes. It was refuted that no complaints were received from UK customers who had purchased the car.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6528087.stm</ref> The offending remark was shown on one of his video productions, ''Jeremy Clarkson: Heaven and Hell'' (2005),<ref>http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=59172</ref> in which he purchases a brand new Kelisa, proceeds to attack it with a sledgehammer as soon as he purchases it from a local dealership, tears it apart with a heavy weight while it is hanged and finally blows it up.

===Anti-American remarks===
Throughout Top Gear, Clarkson has made Anti-American remarks, often stereotyping Americans as fat and dull-witted. For example, in September 2005, Clarkson wrote an editorial for ''The Sun'', criticizing Americans after the [[Hurricane Katrina]] rescue response, and included the comment: "Most Americans barely have the brains to walk on their back legs".<ref>[http://cars.uk.msn.com/news/car_news_article.aspx?cp-documentid=475259 Top 10: Greatest-ever Jeremy Clarkson moments] MSN Cars UK Accessed [[6 February]], [[2007]].</ref> In addition, when travelling to New Orleans and stopping to fill up with gas, he said "If you're thinking about coming to America, this is what it's like. You've got your Comfort Inn, you've got your Best Western, you've got your Red Lobster where you eat. Everybody is very fat, everybody is very stupid and everybody is very rude. It's not the holiday programme, it's the truth!" He has also said on ''Top Gear'' when comparing a rural British village with a rural American village that "[in rural America, the town] would be full of people doing… whatever it is they do. Incest, mostly".<ref>"Top Gear" series 6, episode 11, Ford F-150 Segment, approx 4 minutes into the clip.</ref>

===Allegations of bigotry===
In October 1998, [[Hyundai Motor Company]] complained to the BBC about what they described as "bigoted and racist" comments he made at the [[Birmingham Motor Show]], where he was reported as saying that the people working on the Hyundai stand had "eaten a dog" (due to the fact that some Koreans are known for their consumption of dogs), and that the designer of the [[Hyundai XG]] had probably eaten a [[spaniel]] for his lunch. He also allegedly referred to those working on the [[BMW]] stand as "[[Nazis]]".<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/201675.stm Clarkson in the doghouse] BBC News. Accessed [[2 August]] [[2006]].</ref>

Clarkson has also outraged Irish Republicans by describing a car's overwhelmingly brown interior as though it had been inspired by [[Bobby Sands#Political status protests|Bobby Sands]]. More recently he offended the population of Indonesia by stating that the Kia was made 'in a jungle clearing by people who wear leaves for shoes.'

===Allegations of homophobia===
In July 2006, Clarkson attracted complaints after agreeing with a ''Top Gear'' audience member that a featured car was a bit "gay" or "ginger beer" ([[rhyming slang]] for "queer"). The complainants felt that the presenter was using the word [[pejoratively]]. In December 2006 the BBC ruled that his remarks had the potential to offend and should not have been broadcast.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/news/2006/12/15/39038.shtml ECU ruling: Top Gear, BBC Two] Accessed [[18 December]] [[2006]].</ref>

However, when presenting a program about the [[Colossus computer]] Clarkson expressed disdain about [[Alan Turing]] being driven to suicide after being convicted of committing homosexual acts.

===Celebrities===
From 2000 to 2006 Clarkson had a public feud with [[Piers Morgan]] which began when Morgan published pictures of Clarkson kissing his BBC producer, Elaine Bedel.<ref name="mailmorgan">{{cite news |title = Piers Morgan: I've made up with Clarkson|work = Mail on Sunday|publisher = Associated Newspapers|page =35|date = 2006-11-12|accessdate = 2007-02-05}}</ref> On the final [[Concorde]] flight Clarkson threw a glass of water over Morgan during an argument.<ref name="mailmorgan"/>

In March 2004, at the [[British Press Awards]], he cursed at [[Piers Morgan]] and punched him. Morgan says it has left him with a scar above his left eyebrow.<ref>[http://observer.guardian.co.uk/magazine/story/0,11913,1644624,00.html 'I should have been fired years ago, to be honest'] The Observer. Accessed [[2 August]] [[2006]].</ref> Clarkson has always denied this. In 2006 Morgan revealed that the feud was over, saying "There should always be a moment when you finally down cudgels, kiss and make up."<ref name="mailmorgan"/>

===Top Gear===
In February 2004 while filming ''[[Top Gear (current format)|Top Gear]]'', Clarkson rammed a 30-year-old [[horse chestnut]] tree with a [[Toyota Hilux]] pickup truck to demonstrate how rugged the vehicle was. This led to the BBC having to compensate the local parish council who, until they saw the ''Top Gear'' broadcast, thought that the damage had been caused by local vandals.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/3509191.stm BBC stumps up for tree stunt] [[BBC News]], (21 February 2004).</ref>

In [[1999]], several Members of Parliament criticized ''[[Top Gear (original format)|Top Gear]]'' for being "obsessed with acceleration".<ref name="cnnhammondcrash">[http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/09/22/hammond.police.reut/index.html TV star out of intensive care] Accessed [[24 September]] [[2006]].</ref> The BBC however has rejected numerous complaints about the show and its presenters, "Were the presenters' comments and pranks carried out with any degree of seriousness, rather than being clearly tongue-in-cheek or adopting the deliberate overstatement that is the programme's trademark, we would of course take issue with them".<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5235334.stm BBC backs 'provocative' Top Gear] BBC News. Accessed [[2 August]] [[2006]].</ref>

Clarkson and his fellow presenters have come under increased scrutiny following [[Richard Hammond]]'s jet-powered car crash in September 2006, leading to concerns that the show may be axed.<ref name="cnnhammondcrash" /> Minister of State for Transport, [[Stephen Ladyman]] MP, has backed the show, stating of Hammond's crash, "I think it would be really sad if a real tragedy like this one was used to attack an entertainment."<ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-2372255,00.html Road safety minister backs Top Gear daredevils] Accessed [[24 September]] [[2006]].</ref>

Clarkson also reacted to an article in the ''[[Daily Mail]]'' by Neil Lydon favouring banning ''Top Gear'' by describing him as a "sanctimonious, rent-a-soundbite little turd".<ref>[http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006440317,00.html Sun website] Accessed [[19 October]] [[2006]].</ref>

===Other===
During the [[13 November]], [[2005]] Top Gear episode, a news segment featuring BMW's Mini Concept from the [[Tokyo Motor Show]] showcased what fellow-presenter [[Richard Hammond]] quoted as a "quintessentially British" integrated [[tea set]]. Clarkson responded by mocking that they should build a car that is "quintessentially German." He suggested turn signals that displayed [[Hitler salute]]s, "a [[Satellite navigation system|sat-nav]] that only goes to [[Poland]]" in reference to the [[Nazism|Nazi]] [[Invasion of Poland (1939)|invasion of Poland]] that marked the start of [[European Theatre of World War II|World War II in Europe]], and "ein fanbelt that will last a thousand years," a reference to [[Adolf Hitler]]'s [[propaganda]] slogan of "the thousand-year [[Nazi Germany|Reich]]". These statements drew negative attention in the British and German news media.<ref>[http://news.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=2408932005 Germans up in arms over Clarkson's mocking Nazi salute] The Scotsman. Accessed [[2 August]] [[2006]].</ref>

[[Image:Clarksonpie1.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Clarkson hit in the face with a pie after receiving his engineering degree]]In 2005, the School of Technology at [[Oxford Brookes University]] awarded him an honorary engineering doctorate, leading to an assault from [[green politics|green protestors]] who objected to his statements about the environment and his advocacy of car use. He has said: "I do have a disregard for the environment. I think the world can look after itself and we should enjoy it as best as we can". After the ceremony, he was hit in the face with a banana-meringue pie by Rebecca Lush of Roadblock.<ref>[http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/news/story/0,9830,1568215,00.html Clarkson hit by pie at degree ceremony] The Guardian. Accessed 2 August 2006.</ref> Clarkson took the insult with humour, commented that the pie had too much sugar, and remarked, "Great shot!"<ref>[http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2005420342,00.html Clarkson's biggest flans] The Sun. Accessed [[2 August]] [[2006]].</ref> In an editorial he wrote for Top Gear in November 2005, he referred to Lush as "Banana Girl." <ref>[http://www.topgear.com/content/features/stories/2005/11/stories/05/2.html "Banana Girl" editorial] Top Gear. Accessed [[12 April]] [[2007]].</ref>

Clarkson is one of a few celebrities who have been blamed for poor [[denim]] sales. ''Draper's Record'', trade magazine to the [[fashion]] industry, ran an article on Clarkson's poor fashion image: "For a period in the late Nineties denim became unfashionable. "501s — [[Levi's]] flagship brand — in particular suffered from the so-called 'Jeremy Clarkson effect', the association with men in middle youth."<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/01/24/nlevi24.xml&sSheet=/news/2005/01/24/ixnewstop.html Shakespeare's Bottom pinched by Levi admen] The Telegraph. Accessed [[2 August]] [[2006]].</ref> He also received a fashion makeover from fashion gurus [[Trinny Woodall]] and [[Susannah Constantine]] on a celebrity edition of their style series ''[[What Not to Wear]]''.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2003/02_february/01/tvmoments_2002.shtml BBC ONE honours the best TV moments from 2002] BBC Press Office</ref> He had previously been named as one of the world's worst-dressed celebrities by the two [[fashionista]]s.<ref>[http://www.vogue.co.uk/vogue_daily/story/story.asp?stid=3855 Worst-Dressed Winners] vogue.co.uk</ref>

Clarkson had long been noted for his pro-[[tobacco smoking|smoking]] viewpoint, with him even publicly smoking as much as possible on National [[No Smoking Day]]. However, he announced that on [[14 April]], [[2006]] that he had given up smoking. He cited that he had found a cure for the urge - the [[Koenigsegg CCX]]. He also said: "[the cure] is called smoking", in reference to "Smoking the tyres".

==Works==
===Other motoring shows===
* ''Jeremy Clarkson's Motorworld'' 1995-1996
* ''Clarkson's Car Years'' 1999-2001

===Non-motoring shows===
* ''Clarkson'' (1998-2000): A [[chat show]] that ran for three series
* ''Jeremy Clarkson's Extreme Machines'' (1998): where he rode all manner of machines, including a plane, and an airboat.
* ''[[Robot Wars]]'' (1997): Clarkson presented the first series of the UK version
* ''Jeremy Clarkson Meets The Neighbours'' (2002): A notorious eurosceptic, Clarkson travelled around Europe, confronting (and in some cases reinforcing) his prejudices
* ''Speed'' (2001): A series about the history of fast vehicles, including aeroplanes, boats and cars. One episode featured [[Michael Schumacher]] as a special guest.
* ''[[Have I Got News For You]]'': Clarkson has hosted five episodes, the first in 2002, two in 2005, one in 2006 and one in 2007. He also appeared as a guest in 2003
* ''Inventions That Changed the World'' (2004): five episodes featuring the invention of the gun/computer/jet engine/telephone/television from a British point of view
* ''[[Top of the Pops]]'': co-hosted one episode on [[July 24]], [[2005]] with [[Fearne Cotton]].
* ''[[QI]]'': appeared as a guest on four occasions
* ''[[Room 101 (TV series)|Room 101]]'': appeared on this in 1995 when [[Nick Hancock]] was host. Clarkson's choices were [[travel trailer|caravan]]s; [[fly|flies]]; ''[[Last of the Summer Wine|Last Of The Summer Wine]]''; the mentality within [[country club|golf club]]s; and [[vegetarianism|vegetarian]]s
* ''[[Grumpy Old Men (TV series)|Grumpy Old Men]]'' (2003-4): Clarkson appeared alongside his friend, the food critic [[A A Gill]], in a Christmas special and then in the second full season of this series
* ''Jeremy Clarkson: [[Who Do You Think You Are?]]'' (2004): Clarkson traced his family tree for one episode of the popular documentary series
* ''[[Great Britons]]'' : In a poll to find the greatest historical Briton, Clarkson was the chief supporter for [[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]], who came second
* ''The Victoria Cross: For Valour'' (2003): Clarkson presented a one-off documentary about the history of the [[Victoria Cross]], highlighting as an example Major [[Robert Henry Cain]] VC - his father-in-law.
* ''[[Never Mind The Buzzcocks]]'': Guest presenter [[April 10]], [[2006]]
* ''Jeremy Clarkson: Greatest Raid of All Time'' (2007): Clarkson presented a one-off documentary about [[Operation Chariot]].

===Videos/DVDs===
[[Image:2EDVD0044.jpg|thumb|right|180px| Jeremy Clarkson: '''The good, the bad, the ugly''' (2006) DVD cover]]

Every year since 1995, Clarkson has released an annual video release (produced by On The Box), covering a specific motoring theme. With the exception of Shootout, it has been a tradition for him to destroy "some kind of awful car" in each release, from blowing up a [[Zastava Koral|Yugo]] with a tank to shooting down a [[Chevrolet Corvette]] with a helicopter gunship, or dismantling a [[Buick Park Avenue]] with a [[Bulldozer]]. A few other video releases were also made, issued as best of compilations of previous television series that had aired, featuring ''Motorworld'' and ''Extreme Machines''.

* ''Jeremy Clarkson's Motorsport Mayhem'' (1995)
* ''Jeremy Clarkson - Unleashed On Cars'' (1996)
* ''The Best Of Jeremy Clarkson's Motorworld'' (1996)
* ''More Motorsport Mayhem Featuring Jeremy Clarkson And Steve Rider'' (1996)
* ''Jeremy Clarkson's Extreme Machines'' (1997)
* ''Jeremy Clarkson - Apocalypse Clarkson'' (1997)
* ''The Most Outrageous Jeremy Clarkson Video In The World...Ever'' (1998)
* ''Jeremy Clarkson Head To Head'' (1999)
* ''Jeremy Clarkson - At Full Throttle'' (2000)
* ''Jeremy Clarkson - Top 100 Cars'' (2001)
* ''Jeremy Clarkson - Speed'' (2001)
* ''Jeremy Clarkson - No Limits'' (2002)
* ''Jeremy Clarkson - Shootout'' (2003)
* ''Jeremy Clarkson - Hot Metal'' (2004)
* ''Jeremy Clarkson - Heaven And Hell'' (2005)
* ''Jeremy Clarkson - The Good The Bad The Ugly'' (2006)

===Books===
* ''Jeremy Clarkson's Motorworld'' (1996), ISBN 0-563-38730-0
* ''Clarkson on Cars: Writings and Rantings of the BBC's Top Motoring Correspondent'' (1996), ISBN 0-86369-964-2
* ''Clarkson's Hot 100'' (1997), ISBN 1-85227-730-0
* ''Jeremy Clarkson's Planet Dagenham: Drivestyles of the Rich and Famous'' (1998), ISBN 0-233-99335-5
* ''Born to Be Riled: The Collected Writings of Jeremy Clarkson'' (1999)(Re-published 2007), ISBN 0-563-55146-1
* ''Jeremy Clarkson's Ultimate Ferrari'' (2001), ISBN 1-84065-358-2
* ''[[The World According To Clarkson]]'' (2004), ISBN 0-7181-4730-8
* ''Clarkson on Cars'' (2004), ISBN 0-14-101788-0
* ''[[I Know You Got Soul]]'' (2004), ISBN 0-7181-4729-4
* ''Motorworld'' (2004), ISBN 0-14-101787-2
* ''The World According to Clarkson 2: And Another Thing...'' (2006), ISBN 0-7181-4985-8

==References==
<div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;"><references/></div>

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
*{{imdb name|id=0165087|name=Jeremy Clarkson}}
*[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/jeremy_clarkson/ Archive of Clarkson's ''Sunday Times'' columns]
*[http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/760722683?ltl=1116610416/ Petition opposing Clarkson's receiving an honorary degree]
*[http://cars.msn.co.uk/carnews/ttclarksondec05/ Some best bit of Clarkson]
*[http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/driving/jeremy_clarkson/ Clarkson column including his view of Wikipedia]
*[http://www.jeremyclarkson.co.uk www.jeremyclarkson.co.uk] Unofficial fan site

{{Top Gear info}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Clarkson, Jeremy}}

{{Persondata
|NAME=Clarkson, Jeremy Charles Robert
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Jezza
|SHORT DESCRIPTION=British automotive journalist; [[Top Gear (current format)|Top Gear]] host
|DATE OF BIRTH=[[11 April]] [[1960]]
|PLACE OF BIRTH=[[Doncaster]],[[South Yorkshire]], [[England]]
|DATE OF DEATH=
|PLACE OF DEATH=
}}

[[Category:1960 births]]
[[Category:Automobile journalists]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:English journalists]]
[[Category:English television presenters]]
[[Category:Top Gear]]
[[Category:People from Doncaster]]
[[Category:People from South Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Old Reptonians]]

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Revision as of 18:49, 21 April 2007

Jeremy Clarkson
Born (1960-04-11) April 11, 1960 (age 64)
England Doncaster, England, UK
Occupation(s)Television presenter, talk show host, author and journalist

I gave James May the jolly roger!!!

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