Jeremy Clarkson Has Admitted He’s Glad Top Gear Is Struggling
Jeremy Clarkson has appeared to gloat over Top Gear’s fortunes since his departure from the controversial and much-loved BBC motoring show.
Speaking on a talk show hosted by Jonathan Ross, who was himself a guest on Clarkson-era Top Gear, Clarkson admitted he wasn’t at all sorry for the relative nosedive in audience figures that the flagship car show has suffered since he, Richard Hammond and James May left in 2015.
When asked to give his opinions on Top Gear’s struggles since he left the show and took much of its creative talent with him, Clarkson adopted a ‘trying not to laugh’ expression and said: “James and Richard are always ‘oh, it’s a shame, we wish them all the best…’ but I don’t.”
Top Gear’s viewing figures – although dependant largely on which kind of measurements are reported – have been in general decline since 2015. Neither Chris Evans, who took Clarkson’s role in 2016 but was criticised for his presenting style, nor Matt LeBlanc, whose dry wit won fans but couldn’t mask his inability to properly deliver a scripted line, have been able to stop the viewer haemorrhage, with fewer and fewer people bothering to tune in live.
The BBC has ordered yet another major shake-up as a result, with the refreshing and warm Rory Reid and the departing LeBlanc to be replaced in the front line by comedian Paddy McGuinness and cricketer-turned-panel show man-lad Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff. Alongside the retained Chris Harris, their debuts arrive on our screens this summer.
Clarkson’s contract was not renewed by the BBC after he punched Irish producer Oisin Tymon in a hotel after a day’s filming. Eyewitnesses claimed that Clarkson loudly blamed Tymon for not ensuring there was hot food still available for when the presenting trio arrived late in the evening. Some overheard an alleged racial slur and then saw Clarkson whack the unfortunate Tymon in the face, causing a split lip that required hospital treatment.
A BBC producer has admitted letting the trio go was a mistake.
Comments
He entered Kryton’s ‘Smug Mode’ 🤖… #RedDwarf
Everyone here is too young to understand that 😂😂
New TG is still a perfectly good car show, people just need to get over what it used to be and watch the Grand Tour instead of complaining.
Old top gear was more than just a car show or a review
Agree (at least, it’s a good, car-focused show with the current line-up; I do worry about the quality of the cricketer and…sorry, already forgotten who the other new host is going to be).
Yes but you can’t deny that the quality of the show went to an all-time low on season 23. I saw the first episode and I just couldn’t take it anymore. It was awkward, way too scripted, Chris Evans was terrible. On season 24 things improved a lot but still top gear will never ever be the same.
BBC should’ve pulled the plug;the chemistry that made the show work was gutted when the original 3 left. Kinda like NEW coca cola… It never had the same joie de vi·vre
Love him or hate him, his way of openly criticizing someone or something while co-relating them with similes and metaphors is what no one could replicate well enough. Period.
The last week’s Grand Tour Season finale is probably his zenith of performance we’ll see from him ever both with the audience and on track.
Not going to lie, I ended up crying and sobbing when he broke down in tears announcing the end of the format and then showcasing the amazing adventures they did on Top Gear over the past 17 years. It was one incredible journey we’ve witnessed in this TV and internet era. I’m just happy that it all happened. :’)
Totally agree with you. He wasn’t kidding when he said that he’d put his heart and soul into it that episode. The Ford bit was very emotional, then the announcement was too much. My daughter asked if I was ok..😢
I’m just grateful that I went to a filming of an episode during Series 2. Will treasure the memories of meeting them, and look forward to the four or so specials / road trips a year that they’ll make.
grand tour offical youtbe channel is closing in on one million subscribers, and grand tour passed 6 million social media followers overall the only amazon with a million social media followers.
Mongolia special scored highest score on Amazon owned IMDB, with a 9.8 the ford special is second with a 9.6 the two highest score for a single show.
A living legend without question… all three really but Clarkson has got to be one of the most influential personalities of the late 20th-early 21st century, both as a petrolhead legend and as a journalist.
…. shut up I’m not crying
Top Gear season 26 overnight rating average was 2.35 million, and all time record low Matt so Jeremy going to have a little gloat especially with a season 4 and 5 off grand tour doing special and roadtrip in his back pocket.
according to Jeremy filming for season 4 of grand tour start in June, after James solo project for Amazon is done and with another season of millionaire in his pocket it smug face all right.
Wait who said the racial slur, Clarkston or Tymon?
clarkson, he was nearly sued for doing so
the insult was ‘’lazy irish c*‘’, which really isnt a racial slur, but a national one
Now I’ve been saying this for the last 3 years - if you want the old trio back, go watch it on Amazon, rather than commening #BringBackClarkson everywhere…
Although the Grand Tour is not the same as old top gear, top gear isn’t the same either.. I personally think that TG has kept its appeal, but everyone only liked it because of Clarkson, not because of the incredible cars, adventures, and places they went to.. Kinda getting boring rn
Screams in high pitched voice: “We love you Clarkson”…
flashes moobs