Detail

While we're waiting for a Clarkson judgement, I'm told at least one aspect of the legend is disputed. Most tomes of record, printed and online, say that he was expelled from Repton, in his words for "drinking, smoking and generally making a nuisance of himself."

This is not how others recollect events. He got nine O-levels, and thus breezed into the sixth form. His behaviour was an issue - "charmless chump" is a phrase I've heard - but the school persevered, and whilst there may have been suspensions, the final sanction was never applied.  Perhaps expulsion is more glamorous on the CV than "A-levels not good enough for university".

If your A level results aren't joyous take comfort from the fact I got a C and two Us. And I have a Mercedes Benz.
— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) August 14, 2014