Clarkson, Hammond & May to host unbranded live motoring show
Top Gear co-presenters Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond are to press ahead with a series of live Top Gear style events without any branding following the expiry of their BBC television deal.
The catchily titled Clarkson, Hammond & May Live will take to the road under the auspices of production company Sub-Zero, as they seek to continue the popular Top Gear Live following Clarkson’s removal by the BBC.
It comes as Top Gear producer Andy Wilman was forced to deny that a leaked email was tantamount to a resignation statement after writing in the past tense about his role on the show. In it he wrote: “Our stint as guardians of Top Gear was a good one, but we were only part of the show’s history, not the whole of it. Those two words are bigger than us.”
Wilman added: “At least we left ’em wanting more,” adding that “none of us wanted it to end this way” for members of Top Gear’s “dysfunctional family”.
A spokesperson for BBC Worldwide added: “[We have] agreed with our joint venture partner Brand Events that the remainder of the tour can continue. These events will not, however, feature any BBC Top Gear branding or content. We believe this is a sensible approach in the circumstances.”
Reports suggest that Hammond, May and Wilman will all follow Clarkson out the door.