Jeremy Clarkson has said he wants to have “joy in my old age” and refuses to drink less or stick to a diet following his cancer treatment.

In one of the episodes, Clarkson was advised to adjust his diet opting for less fat and more protein – a regime he said he will not be sticking to.

Speaking to The Times, Clarkson said: “Sure, I can eat less and more healthily. I can become a herbivore. And yes, I can go for 20-mile hikes and do 20,000 steps a day. But the truth is, there has to be some joy in life as well.

“And not drinking and not eating a pork chop means that there is less joy in life — and I haven’t worked my arse off for 40 years to have no joy in my old age.

“So, I’m having joy in my old age.”

Clarkson said he was unwell for a “short period of time” and that he is doing a lot better.

He went on to describe the cancer treatment as being offered a “menu of opportunities”.

He added: “I get checked every year. And suddenly, oops, there’s a little thing here. And they go, ‘OK, look, it’s a thing. It’s something we need to address’, and then immediately you’re given a menu of opportunities and possibilities.

“Basically, it is choosing what sort of thing you want in your bottom.

“Yes, it is not very nice having to tell your children, ‘I’ve got cancer’, neither is having a catheter fitted. But otherwise, no problem.”

The former Top Gear and The Grand Tour presenter chose to have high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) which is a minimally invasive medical procedure that uses high-frequency, sound waves to heat and destroy targeted cancer cells.

Since the treatment, Clarkson said he is finding more pleasure in the small things in life from the daffodils to the leaves starting to curl out.

He added: “Right now, you’re starting to notice the trees that are turning, and which trees are turning more than the other ones. You watch the ash coming back to health after their devastation. Magnificent.

“And the person that you never thought you’d be thinks to himself, ‘Don’t worry… we’re home.’”

Clarkson took home the reality docuseries prize at the National Television Awards on Tuesday night for his Prime Video series about running his Diddly Squat farm.

The show won for best factual entertainment series at last year’s awards.