The BBC’s hit TV show, Top Gear, is one of the best car shows… in the world. It is so popular it's inspired other regional adaptations across the globe, including USA's own Top Gear America. Some say... that modern YouTube channels and other car shows are essentially modeled after its popular format.
The current format of Top Gear was introduced in 2002 with the three original hosts — Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and Jason Dawe with Andy Wilman as the producer. The second season saw Dawe being dropped in favor of James May, and the team then went on to create automotive television history.
The Top Gear trio has a knack for ruffling feathers and causing controversies, even when unintended. Jeremy Clarkson’s tongue-in-cheek humor can be something of an acquired taste, and several people aren't fond of the subtle hints of racism many of his jokes carry.
However, in 2015, Top Gear was updated with a new panel of hosts that caused quite a stir around the globe. We reveal the real reason for the BBC to revamp the show entirely and why Jeremy Clarkson left the show. Clarkson then joined Amazon and gave us The Grand Tour series. But now, he is in a much deeper fuss, and things are not looking good!
UPDATED JANUARY 2023: This article has all the info regarding Jeremy Clarkson's exit from Top Gear and the BBC and subsequent involvement with Amazon and The Grand Tour series. Also with the latest controversy regarding Clarkson's controversial column in The Sun which might see him getting axed from Amazon and The Grand Tour series.
The Many Controversies Around Top Gear
Jeremy Clarkson has always been a person closely associated with multiple controversies over his career. In 2004, he had a physical altercation with a TV personality, where Clarkson punched Piers Morgan (admittedly in his wife's defense) and was then escorted out by security during a BBC Press Award ceremony.
Clarkson and his Top Gear co-hosts were also a part of the major outrage following comments that were deemed to be insulting towards Mexicans during the show's 'News' segment discussing the Mastretta sports car.
In 2014, Clarkson was caught on air saying the N-word under his breath reciting the nursery rhyme “eeny, meeny, miny, mo” in his comparison test between the Toyota GT 86 and the Subaru BRZ. When this clip was published by the Daily Mirror, there was widespread outrage, and some demanded the BBC take swift action. However, at this point, the BBC decided to give Clarkson another chance following an apology.
While filming a special episode in Burma, in a scene where Clarkson commented that the bridge he was looking at had “a slope on it”. The word "Slope" is a racist slur for Asian people. This incident also caused outrage online.
In the trio's final season at the show, the Patagonia Special made headlines for the wrong reasons as well. However, it was reported that Clarkson was found to be at no fault for creating the issue that forced the entire production team to flee Argentina for their lives.
Clarkson’s offensive comments both on and off the air over the years made the BBC question whether Clarkson should continue to host the show. However, the 'Fracas' seemed to be the final straw for the BBC.
Jeremy Clarkson’s Infamous 'Fracas'
In March 2015, Clarkson was on set, filming for series 22 of the show. After a long day’s filming, the production team arrived at their overnight halt. However, as it was late, it is reported that the staff at the hotel had left for the evening.
Meaning the food that was prepared had gone cold. Reportedly, only meat and cheese platters were left. An argument between Clarkson and production team member Oisin Tymon got out of hand. In a fit of rage, Clarkson punched Tymon in the face. The incident the global media infamously called the 'Fracas' broke out, followed by another outrage.
It was later reported that Clarkson lost his temper at a time when he was dealing with the news given to him by his doctors that a lump on his tongue was cancerous. Thankfully, however, it was not the case.
Clarkson’s offensive comments both on and off the air made the BBC question whether Clarkson should continue to host the show. However, the 'Fracas' seemed to be the final straw. The BBC decided to not renew Clarkson’s contract any further meaning that he would no longer be a part of Top Gear.
The fracas took place in the middle of the 22nd series of the show with a few episodes still left to film. On 28 June 2015, two final films that had already been filmed were aired as episode 8 of the series. While Clarkson was in the films, only James May and Richard Hammond hosted the show from the studio.
The Aftermath Of Jeremy Clarkson’s Fracas
Top Gear was Clarkson’s baby as he would like to call it. However, he recalls the result of the incident “was my own silly fault" in an interview on BBC Radio 2. However, after Clarkson’s departure, his fellow hosts, Hammond and May subsequently followed him in solidarity. Members of the production team, including producer Andy Wilman, also left the BBC.
The same team started Amazon’s hit car show, The Grand Tour. Furthermore, the trio has also released other shows with Amazon. These include James May's Our Man In Japan and Our Man In Italy, Oh Cook, and Clarkson’s Farm starring none other than the man himself. Richard Hammond also started a show about his new classic car restoration garage on Discovery.
But with the latest controversy that Jeremy Clarkson has been involved in, he might have to say goodbye to The Grand Tour series and his other show Clarkson's Farm. His recent column in The Sun had a very vile attack on Meghan Markle. And it didn't go down well. Clarkson was quick to post an apology. But Markle and Prince Harry were not having it. And so, now there are high chances of Amazon cutting ties with Clarkson!
Sources: BBC, Amazon