One of BBC’s greatest shows featuring fast cars, fun challenges, celebrities, and an interesting trio is taking on an enormous change. Top Gear has been a fan favorite since its start in 2002, but one recent change has drawn criticism.
Co-Hosts Richard Hammond and Jeremy May will be saying goodbye to their fellow partner in crime Jeremy Clarkson. The producers of the show made it known that his days of being on Top Gear were numbered, after an incident where Clarkson punched one of the show’s producers.
All of Clarkson’s unaired footage was put in limbo after BBC officials decided to not renew his contract. The network originally took a tough line on Clarkson, but eventually allowed him to record audio commentary to tie the remaining footage together.
A BBC spokeswoman confirmed: “He has done the voiceover for Top Gear. He came in to the BBC the week before last.”
“He didn’t get paid to do it. Even though this happened after his contract was not renewed, it falls under his old contract.
“He is not banned from appearing on the BBC.”
The result is a 75-minute program that features two films with three presenters. The special was recorded before and after Clarkson’s suspension and firing from the network.
The final Top Gear episode featuring Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May airs on June 28 on BBC2.
The future of the trio is unclear. Neither Hammond or May have signed new Top Gear contracts and their is rumor that the pair may join Clarkson at a rival broadcaster using a different show name.
