No Clarkson, no fun – James May leaves Top Gear

top-gear-trio

It just wouldn’t be the same without Clarkson. If fans of the show and casual observers can think so, what more Jeremy Clarkson’s fellow presenters Richard Hammond and James May. True enough, May has now ruled out collaborating with a new face.

“Me and Hammond with a surrogate Jeremy is a non-starter, it just wouldn’t work. That would be lame, or ‘awks’ as young people say,” 52-year old May told The Guardian.

UPDATE: The BBC has confirmed that Top Gear’s executive producer Andy Wilman, an old school friend of Clarkson, has quit the show.

“It has to be the three of us. You can’t just put a surrogate Jeremy in and expect it to carry on. It would be forced. I don’t believe they would be stupid enough to try that,” he added.

BBC Two’s channel controller Kim Shillinglaw has been tasked to find a replacement for Clarkson, with former UK X Factor host Dermot O’Leary and fast driving model Jodie Kidd (both pictured below) rumoured to be in the running. With May’s recent comments, it looks like there will be an entirely new presenting line-up for the show instead of a fusion of old and new.

May did raise some hope for the TG that we know and love, though. “In the future when all this has blown over there might be an opportunity for three of us to get back together on the BBC to do Top Gear or a car show of some sort. The BBC haven’t completely closed the door on Jeremy’s return. They’ve not banned him or fired him, only just not renewed his contract for the moment. It’s a subtle difference but an important one,” Captain Slow said.

Shillinglaw confirmed this. “Jeremy will be back on the BBC. It is serious and unfortunate what happened but there is no ban on Jeremy being on the BBC. It’s a big deal what happened and Jeremy, as any human being would, needs some time out,” she said.

To recap, Clarkson was suspended and then later axed from Top Gear after he attacked producer Oisin Tymon, splitting his lip and verbally abusing him. The unprovoked physical attack, as BBC calls it, was apparently over the lack of hot food after a day’s filming.

Clarkson recently revealed in his Sunday Times column that he thought he probably had cancer at the day of the incident, and that it was his “most stressful day in 27 years at the BBC”. Tests came back negative.

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • VW_rocks on Apr 24, 2015 at 10:19 am

    I have even unsubscribed TopGear channel on YouTube.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 48 Thumb down 3
    • Matty on Apr 24, 2015 at 11:01 am

      I hope the trio will start a new show called “Shift Gear”

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 1
      • *Ba dum tssss*

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
        • Same L0rrrr on Apr 24, 2015 at 2:57 pm

          In the UK, Clackson has to leave because of physical offense.

          In Malaysia, Proton still here even though with robberies on generations of Malaysians.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 52
          • frossonice on Apr 24, 2015 at 3:48 pm

            Can we have at least one thread on Paultan where people not talk about Proton in comments? Seshhh… Get a life la.

            Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 61 Thumb down 7
          • So we should accept bullies like Clarkson, the same for idiots like Sam Loo… Ok.jpg

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 7
          • We need Clarkson to review Proton cars

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
      • prads on Apr 26, 2015 at 12:23 pm

        How abt reverse gear?! Lol

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • The next 1 leaving is Hammond
    Face it BBC…without Jeremy,B4 TG close down 4 good!
    The trios will move 2 other competitors for a fresh start!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 2
    • The 2 main guys (Jeremy & Andy Wilman) that brought Top Gear back in 2002 has left & James has ruled out returning without Clarkson. Just a matter of time till the beeb pulled the plug on Top Gear for good

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
  • Joe Jambu on Apr 24, 2015 at 10:46 am

    are they gay buddies or what? so what if Clarkson is not around, just continue the show and keep us entertained..no one is irreplaceable .

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 97
    • hohoboy on Apr 24, 2015 at 11:05 am

      u are drunk, go home kids..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 37 Thumb down 19
    • hohoboy on Apr 24, 2015 at 11:06 am

      you are drunk, go home kidz..

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 21
    • blaster88 on Apr 24, 2015 at 12:21 pm

      Yeah….I agree. What happens if one day a brick falls on Jeremy’s head. Are they going to stop living as well? Duh…I would take this opportunity to step into Jeremy’s shoes at BBC vs resigning. Whims!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 24 Thumb down 1
    • Alpha on Apr 24, 2015 at 12:26 pm

      Did you mean your mum can be replace?? why you so drunk :P !!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 19
    • Top gear is the best because of these 3 fellas. Replacing anyone would just turn it into an ordinary car show. Might as well just watch tiff needdle on fifth gear.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Joe Jambu on Apr 24, 2015 at 10:47 am

    are they a bunch of homo gay buddies? no one is irreplaceable..what Clarkson did was shameful and an uncondoned act of violence..just continue and run the show.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 57
    • Maxlee on Apr 24, 2015 at 11:04 am

      Its only prove you are not top gear UK fan. And sometimes some of the people is really irreplaceable

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 30 Thumb down 13
      • blaster88 on Apr 24, 2015 at 12:25 pm

        No one is indispensable! What happens if one day a brick falls on Jeremy’s head? The auto world comes to a standstill??? Duh? If I am James, I would take this opportunity to step into Jeremy’s shoes at BBC. Its not like the BBC had not given Jeremy numerous chances – in spite of many racist comments and violence incidences in the past…

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 17 Thumb down 13
        • Jordan on Apr 24, 2015 at 3:47 pm

          They said they didn’t want to do it with a replacement Clarkson, not that they wouldn’t do it if he died or was incapacitated in an accident. In fact, they’ve said the opposite in the past: they’d acknowledge the death and move on.

          And yes, Jeremy, in a strictly technical sense, can be replaced. But he gives Top Gear much of its character and appeal (to its fans, not you). James saying that he doesn’t want to do a show without someone he’s been working with for 10+ years, someone he also considers a friend, is perfectly reasonable. Not everyone is conniving enough to jump at an opening caused by their best friend’s misfortune.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 1
          • blaster88 on Apr 24, 2015 at 4:12 pm

            The so called best friend is asked to leave because he assaulted a fellow colleague. The bugger did something wrong! Unless James is condoning Jeremy’s action, I believe its perfectly legitimate and morally right to step up to the plate but I guess he doesn’t have the marbles…enough said.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 6
    • No JC no Top Gear on Apr 24, 2015 at 11:42 am

      Maybe you’ll think replace and go on is a good idea but the problem is the chemical between the host is just NEVER WORK, just Google it how many audience BBC lost since Jeremy Clarkson is suspend from the show.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 10
    • GoHomeUrDrunk on Apr 24, 2015 at 11:59 am

      dumb alert!!!!! go home kid, top gear is a very complicated stuff, spongebob is more to ur age. top gear is for HEALTHY ADULTS ONLY!!! BRAIN RETARD should try to avoid it for ur own good !!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 17
  • Naiexpat on Apr 24, 2015 at 12:44 pm

    It only proves that JC is just another clown that entertains,not an automobile engineer nor car expert that most of us tend to believe including my younger self.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 5
    • GoHomeUrDrunk on Apr 24, 2015 at 6:54 pm

      LOL need to be an automobile engineer in order to be on a car show ? What has gone wrong with the world ????

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • Top Gear is not a car show. Its an entertainment show about three comedians with some cars in guest appearances. It is already running out of steam or ideas. Time for a rebranding of some sort. Timely for the three to leave.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 6
    • I agree. I think it has gotten a bit stale. They would need to rework the whole “middle-aged prats doing silly things in cars” angle.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 2
  • KarTiN (Member) on Apr 24, 2015 at 1:19 pm

    The is a replacement out there if BBC can get him. He was one of the original host of top gear. His name is Tiff Needell, he is my favorite presenter of top gear.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 3
    • Edward on Apr 24, 2015 at 2:03 pm

      He’s in Fifth Gear now…

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • Joe Jambu on Apr 24, 2015 at 2:25 pm

      Tiff is too ‘stiff’ , too boring..the ideal replacement is Chris Harris from EVO..or the fat bald guy with beard from Drive

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 2
  • You guys left out one thing, TG’s executive producer Andy Wilman has left Top Gear too.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • sudonano (Member) on Apr 24, 2015 at 5:43 pm

    And with that it’s time to end, thank you so much and goodnight, Top Gear…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • engineblock on Apr 25, 2015 at 5:47 pm

    Gay fella?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Alfaman on Apr 25, 2015 at 6:04 pm

    Samy Veloo is irreplaceable.
    Clarkson is like that ….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Samad Jain on Apr 25, 2015 at 6:07 pm

    create a talking stig to replace clarkson….

    problem solved

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
 

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