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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Alan Johnson

Jeremy Clarkson reveals why he won't hug Who Wants To Be A Millionaire contestants

Presenter Jeremy Clarkson has revealed the bizarre reason he refuses to embrace contestants on the ITV hit show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.

The 62-year old claims hugging a male or female under any circumstance would feel "too intimate" and that he could end up snogging them.

In an interview with the Daily Star, the veteran TV star said: "There's always a sense that my genitals are perilously close to theirs, and I really, really don't like it when they move in for a kiss, which sometimes happens as well."

Clarkson, who also presents The Grand Tour and Clarkson's Farm added that he prefers a simple handshake adding that he "doesn't really like hugging other men."

Jeremy Clarkson prefers a simple handshake (ITV)

In fact, the former Top Gear co-host finds it uncomfortable outside of the studio as well.

He continued: "I don't even like hugging women especially."

"There's always a danger that they're going to report you to the police - especially if you've only just met them in a park."

Clearly speaking from experience, Clarkson went on to detail how he had previously made an error of judgement when greeting someone with a kiss on the cheek.

"It sounds so easy but you'd be amazed how often I get it wrong," he explained.

"Some women think this should be an air kiss and tilt their heads way over to the side, but I always take this to mean they didn't even want the gesture of a kiss, which makes me all stammery and nervous when we start talking.

"This is why, when I host Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? I always say to the contestants beforehand that even if they win big I will not be embracing or kissing them. They're going to get a handshake and that'll be that."

Clarkson said he has 'often got it wrong' when embracing people (ITV)

Clarkson, meanwhile, has outlined his intention to launch his own range of fizzy drinks and wines.

According to the Daily Star, he has applied to trademark a range of products for fizzy pop - which would be called Diddly Squat Le Pop - that he will be able to sell at his shop.

The products would range from fruit drinks, soft drinks, sparkling, spring, flavoured and tonic waters as non-alcoholic drinks as well as his own Diddly Squat Le Pop wine.

His shop has featured in Clarkson's Amazon Prime series Clarkson's Farm which follows Clarkson as he runs a farm in the countryside with no previous farming experience.

Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@mirror.co.uk or call us direct at 0207 29 33033.

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