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Jeremy Clarkson 'so sorry' after his last Top Gear | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Jeremy Clarkson said he was "so sad and sorry it's ended like this" after the final episode of Top Gear hosted by the current presenting team was screened. | |
The 75-minute special was compiled from footage shot before Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond left the show. | |
The BBC Two show made no reference to their departure, nor the circumstances. | |
Closing the show, Hammond said: "All that remains for us to say is thank you very much for watching. Goodbye." The closing credits then rolled in silence. | |
After the programme ended, Clarkson tweeted: "Many many thanks for all your support and encouragement over the years. So sad and sorry it's ended like this." | |
'What's left of Top Gear' | |
The show was a swansong for Clarkson - whose contract was not renewed after he punched a producer - as well as May and Hammond, who both turned down the opportunity to return to the series. | |
May welcomed viewers by saying: "Hello, and welcome to what's left of Top Gear." | |
In the background, as he and Hammond delivered their links, was a giant replica pachyderm - literally, the elephant in the room. | In the background, as he and Hammond delivered their links, was a giant replica pachyderm - literally, the elephant in the room. |
During a film in one part of the show, Clarkson was stranded in a river, declaring: "I hate working on Top Gear." | |
The episode is predicted to become the highest-rated episode in Top Gear history, beating the audience of 8.35 million who tuned in to see Lewis Hamilton's appearance in December 2007. | The episode is predicted to become the highest-rated episode in Top Gear history, beating the audience of 8.35 million who tuned in to see Lewis Hamilton's appearance in December 2007. |
Clarkson recorded a new voiceover for the show, although he was not paid. Hammond and May filmed new links, but without the traditional Top Gear studio audience. | |
Writing in the Sun, Clarkson had said: "BBC Two is screening an edition of Top Gear cobbled together from two films that were made before I was fired. | |
"One of them is quite good." | |
Executive producer Andy Wilman said the compilation was "very sad, absolutely awful to make". | Executive producer Andy Wilman said the compilation was "very sad, absolutely awful to make". |
"The films are good but they were never designed to carry this burden of being the last thing you'll ever see from us on Top Gear," Wilman told the Guardian. | "The films are good but they were never designed to carry this burden of being the last thing you'll ever see from us on Top Gear," Wilman told the Guardian. |
"What's quite poignant for me is they are not the most ambitious films we have ever done but by accident they happen to be very strong on camaraderie." | "What's quite poignant for me is they are not the most ambitious films we have ever done but by accident they happen to be very strong on camaraderie." |
'One hell of a ride' | |
Three episodes of the smash hit motoring show were left unfinished when Clarkson was suspended in March. | Three episodes of the smash hit motoring show were left unfinished when Clarkson was suspended in March. |
Of the two completed segments, one saw the presenters take a road trip across Britain in a trio of classic cars: A Fiat 124 Spider, an MGB GT and a Peugeot 304 Cabriolet. | Of the two completed segments, one saw the presenters take a road trip across Britain in a trio of classic cars: A Fiat 124 Spider, an MGB GT and a Peugeot 304 Cabriolet. |
The second instructs the team to purchase an SUV on a £250 budget, before setting off on a series of action-packed challenges. | The second instructs the team to purchase an SUV on a £250 budget, before setting off on a series of action-packed challenges. |
Clarkson said in the Sun he would be "watching with a tear in my eye because, my God, it's been one hell of a ride." | |
But, he added: "I won't miss making a car show - because other broadcasters are available so I don't have to stop doing that." | But, he added: "I won't miss making a car show - because other broadcasters are available so I don't have to stop doing that." |
The old Top Gear team, including Wilman, are expected to take their talents to a rival broadcaster, with streaming services Netflix and Amazon also being touted as a future home for their talents. | The old Top Gear team, including Wilman, are expected to take their talents to a rival broadcaster, with streaming services Netflix and Amazon also being touted as a future home for their talents. |
However, Chris Evans will take over the BBC brand, and has launched an open audition for co-hosts ahead of the show's relaunch next year. | However, Chris Evans will take over the BBC brand, and has launched an open audition for co-hosts ahead of the show's relaunch next year. |