Jeremy Clarkson, the divisive yet popular media figure, might best be described as a caricature of a gas-guzzling SUV: oversized, outlandish, and unapologetically polarizing. From his signature on-screen wit on Top Gear to contentious columns in The Sun, Clarkson has built a career on courting controversy. His image remains that of an unfiltered provocateur, a stance that sometimes seems more for public consumption than personal conviction.

Though he’s made inflammatory remarks over the years, those close to Clarkson claim that his public persona may not align with his private beliefs. Acquaintances from the once-buzzing “Chipping Norton set” assert that Clarkson often performs for his audience, his statements crafted as much for attention as for genuine sentiment. Despite his controversial articles and blunt remarks, Clarkson has reportedly expressed unexpected opinions, like a hypothetical vote for Labour and a recent decision to quit smoking—choices at odds with his public “bad boy” image.

Clarkson’s knack for testing boundaries has left him frequently on the edge of backlash. His infamous 2015 altercation with a BBC producer and a more recent misogynistic column about Meghan Markle have stirred significant outrage, sparking public apologies and condemnations. Yet, his carefully curated provocations rarely cross lines that could end his career, suggesting a level of calculated restraint beneath the bluster.