Jeremy Clarkson has revealed the very unlikely reason he was arrested and thrown into a French prison aged just 19.

Speaking during the new series of his Prime Video show Clarkson’s Farm, the broadcaster, 64, blamed his brush with the law on a slug. 

He said: ‘I once had to go to prison in France because of a slug. True story. I went to a restaurant called La Pomme d’Amour and there was a slug in my lettuce’.

Jeremy explained that the apologetic waiter then offered him as much as he could drink in a bid to quickly smooth over the situation. 

‘I was only 19 so I thought: “I will then” And I did. I was arrested a bit later because I was a bit wobbly. I was trying to explain to the policeman that I’d eaten a slug and the man had given me a lot of drink’.

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Jeremy Clarkson, 64, has revealed the very unlikely reason he was arrested and thrown into a French prison aged just 19

Speaking during the new series of his Prime Video show Clarkson’s Farm , the broadcaster blamed his brush with the law on a slug (A young Jeremy pictured)

‘But I couldn’t think what the French for slug was. I said: “Je mange un escargot sans maison” [I eat a snail without a home].

‘They just thought: “This man is definitely paralytic”, I got thrown into prison because I didn’t know the French for slug.’

Elsewhere during the latest episodes, which were released on Friday, Jeremy was left choked up as he thanked his farm ᴀssistant Harriet Cowan for ‘saving his life’ during an emotional send-off.

The Top Gear legend praised Harriet, 24, – who had been stepping in for fan favourite Kaleb Cooper, 26 – was heading back to Derbyshire after lending a helping hand at Diddly Squat Farm.

Getting visibly emotional, Jeremy told Harriet: ‘Listen, you’ve been an absolute star. Thanks ever so much for everything.

‘Absolutely brilliant, and best of luck, and I’ll send you pictures of the barley when it’s growing.’

Quick as a flash, Harriet quipped: ‘If there are any f**k ups don’t send them to me.’

Jeremy replied: ‘No, I’m not. I’m not going to tell Kaleb either. That’s the important thing. Saved my life, you did. You were brilliant.’ 

He said: ‘I once had to go to prison in France because of a slug. True story. I went to a restaurant called La Pomme d’Amour and there was a slug in my lettuce’

Jeremy explained that the apologetic waiter then offered him as much as he could drink in a bid to quickly smooth over the situation

‘I was only 19 so I thought: “I will then” And I did. I was arrested a bit later because I was a bit wobbly. I was trying to explain to the policeman that I’d eaten a slug and the man had given me a lot of drink’

As she packed up to leave the caravan she’d been living in, Jeremy quickly asked if he could call on her again if he ever got ‘stuck’ to which she ᴀssured him he could.

Speaking directly to camera, the telly star summed it all up with: ‘She’s a superstar, that one.’

Read MoreEXCLUSIVE The new Diddly Squat star who nurses Jeremy Clarkson through all his farm foul-ups is spotted in her real job… as a nurse!

Clarkson’s kind words came after weeks of chaos at the farm following Kaleb’s absence. 

The young farmer was away touring with his live show, The World According to Kaleb, leaving Jeremy to tackle most of the graft alone.

In one scene, the TV presenter is seen stranded in the dark, stuck in a tractor and completely overwhelmed.

‘I don’t know anything,’ he says, flustered. ‘The fuse has blown [in the tractor], Lisa’s in London, Kaleb’s off wherever the b****y hell he is.

‘It’s coming up for six o’clock and all I’ve drilled in a whole day is a tenth of the field.’

Struggling to stay afloat, he turns to land agent Charlie Ireland for help.

‘I’m thinking while Kaleb is away I’m going to need a hand,’ he admits. ‘Is it possible for you to go away and find someone to give me a hand? Because I’m properly struggling.’ 

Elsewhere during the latest episodes, Jeremy was left choked up as he thanked his farm ᴀssistant Harriet Cowan for ‘saving his life’ during an emotional send-off 

He praised Harriet, 24, – who had been stepping in for fan favourite Kaleb Cooper , 26 – was heading back to Derbyshire after lending a helping hand at Diddly Squat Farm 

Full-time farmer and nurse Harriet soon stepped in and after the fourth series dropped on Friday, fans raved ‘a star is born’ at the newcomer.

They wrote on X: ’30 minutes in and I’m calling it already Harriet is going to be mᴀssively famous and she could be worth bringing back #clarksonsfarm.’

‘And a ‘Star’ is born Harriet Cowen! #clarksonsfarm #amazonprimevideo.’

‘#clarksonsfarm S4 and I already love Harriet ‘4000 years old’ ‘That’s as old as you?’,’ another penned, followed by laughing emojis.

‘And I’m already rooting for Harriet… she’s brilliant.’

‘I love Harriet. And I love that she calls the Lambo ‘she’.