Jeremy Clarkson, renowned not just for his love of cars but also his aversion to vegetarianism, has taken up farming in the picturesque Cotswolds. Yet, Andy Wilman, a trusted friend and creative partner, reveals there’s more to Clarkson than his famously cantankerous television persona. Wilman has been instrumental in Clarkson’s television triumphs, such as Top Gear, The Grand Tour, and Clarkson’s Farm, and their camaraderie dates back to school days, including Wilman standing as best man at Clarkson’s weddings—twice!

Their bond is so profound that the late critic AA Gill likened them to “the Elton and David of the motoring world.” Their families are intertwined as well; Clarkson is the godfather to Wilman’s daughter, Martha, while Wilman holds the same role for Clarkson’s son, Finlo.

This deep connection affords Wilman a glimpse into the side of Clarkson the public rarely sees. Rather than the controversial figure often making headlines, Wilman describes a Clarkson who diligently works through the night, jotting down endless ideas, unable to quiet his mind. “He may wear the crown of bold opinions,” Wilman explains, “but at his core, he’s relentless. Give him a deadline, and he’ll meet it without fuss.”

Wilman shared these insights during an interview at Dunsfold airfield, the iconic site where Top Gear was born. It’s there that Clarkson, Wilman, Richard Hammond, and James May created a groundbreaking show, with Wilman orchestrating the antics from behind the scenes while Clarkson took center stage.

Despite his silver hair and polished demeanor, 63-year-old Wilman maintains his rock ‘n’ roll roots, favoring worn jeans and band T-shirts. Before stepping into his role as a television executive, he dreamt of being the frontman of a punk band.

Instead, he became the man many credit as “the fifth Beatle” of the Clarkson universe. But long before the fame, the specials, the exploding caravans and the Hollywood guests, the two men were schoolboys at Derbyshire boarding school called Repton, where they formed a teenage friendship built on mischief.

Meanwhile, Wilman’s adventures with Clarkson have sometimes taken risky turns over the years. “Accidentally, you mean?” he mused, recounting a few close calls during an interview with The Times. The most memorable incidents include the 2009 Bolivia mishap on Death Road, a scooter crash in Vietnam, and a lorry accident that seriously injured Clarkson. Wilman freely admits that during his time with Clarkson, “things went wrong quite frequently”.