Jeremy Clarkson undergoes heart surgery after ‘sudden deterioration’ in health

The Top Gear host wondered if he was days away from death.

The Top Gear star told the Sunday Times that after a recent holiday, he was struggling to use the stairs, and noticed things getting worse as he returned home to the UK.

He said he felt 'clammy', a 'tightness in my chest', and 'pins and needles in my left arm'.

After reading about Alex Salmond's death last weekend, Clarkson decided to see his doctor.

He was then taken to Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital by ambulance however tests ruled out a heart attack.

He added that doctors believed he was just 'days away' from becoming seriously ill.

He told the Sunday Times: "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."

After a two-hour operation, a stent was fitted to keep one of the arteries open.

Clarkson, who quit his 40-a-day cigarette habit seven years ago, explained that the scare made him think: "Crikey, that was close."

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