Jeremy Clarkson has admitted he was rushed to hospital just hours after branding the NHS a "creaking old monster".

The outspoken TV presenter was forced to seek "urgent" medical treatment for an undisclosed health issue.

Following his criticism of the National Health Service in a Sunday Times column published on 5 October, the 65-year-old star ended up at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford after becoming "poorly" later that day.

He explained in his latest newspaper column: "I needed urgent hospital treatment. The NHS was my only option."

The Clarkson's Farm star went on to describe the subsequent treatment for his ailment as "Defcon 1 painful", as his condition kept him overnight at the hospital.

"They had to chisel me off the ceiling with a spatula afterwards," he added of the treatment.

Although Clarkson insisted he "couldn't find anything to moan about" during his hospital visit, he admitted his opinion on British healthcare still hasn't changed.

While he was "eternally grateful" for the care he received, Clarkson added: "And now I'm sure you're expecting me to say I've changed my mind about the NHS. But I haven't. Yes, it's an excellent organisation and the frontline staff are superb. But in its current state, we as a nation cannot afford it."