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| Top Gear | |
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| Genre | Automotive entertainment Comedy Motorsport Motoring |
| Created by | |
| Written by |
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| Directed by |
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| Presented by | |
| Opening theme | "Jessica" by The Allman Brothers Band |
| Composer | Dickey Betts (arr. by Christian Henson) |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 33 |
| No. of episodes | 240 (including 13 specials) (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Producers |
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| Production locations | Dunsfold Aerodrome (2002–2020) Television Centre, London (2021–2022) |
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| Running time | 60 minutes (normal episodes) 60–120 minutes (specials) |
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| Original release | |
| Network | |
| Release | 20 October 2002 – 18 December 2022 |
| Related | |
| Infobox instructions (only shown in preview) | |
Top Gear is a British automotive magazine and currently inactive motoring-themed television programme. It is a revival of the 1977–2001 show of the same name for the BBC, devised by Jeremy Clarkson and Andy Wilman, which premiered on 20 October 2002. The programme expanded upon its earlier incarnation which focused on reviewing cars to incorporate films featuring motoring-based challenges, races, timed laps of notable cars, and celebrity timed laps on a specially-designed track. The programme drew acclaim for its visual and presentation style, as well as criticism over the controversial nature of some content.[2][3][4] The show was also praised for its humour and lore existing in not just the automotive community but in the form of internet memes and jokes.[5] The programme aired on BBC Two until it was moved to BBC One in 2020.
The programme's first series in 2002 was presented by Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and Jason Dawe, with an anonymous test driver "The Stig" also being featured. Wilman was the show's executive producer. Following the first series, Dawe was replaced by James May, with the line-up unchanged until the end of the twenty-second series, when the BBC chose to not renew Clarkson's contract in March 2015, following an incident during filming.[6] His dismissal from Top Gear prompted the departure of Hammond, May and Wilman from the programme,[1][7][8] who joined Clarkson on a new motoring series for Amazon, The Grand Tour.[9]
As a result, Chris Evans and Matt LeBlanc were appointed as hosts of Top Gear and they were joined by four co-presenters for the twenty-third series.[10][11] After negative feedback on this series, Evans resigned from the programme, with LeBlanc joined by Harris and Reid as the main hosts. From the twenty-seventh series onwards (2019), the presenting line-up was changed following the departure of LeBlanc and Reid, with Harris joined by Andrew Flintoff and Paddy McGuinness. This series proved more popular with viewers.[12] Production of the thirty-fourth series was halted in March 2023 after Flintoff was injured in an accident during filming; the BBC later announced that Top Gear would not return for the "foreseeable future".[13]
Top Gear has been one of the BBC's most commercially successful programmes since its relaunch. It has become a significant part of British popular culture,[14][15] with episodes also broadcast in many countries in Europe, North America, Southeast Asia and more, making it the most widely-broadcast factual television programme in the world.[16] Its success has led to various forms of merchandising, including live tours, special DVD editions, and books, as well as spawning a variety of international versions in various countries.
- ^ a b "Top Gear producer Andy Wilman quits show – BBC News". BBC News Online. 23 April 2015. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
- ^ Cooper, Glenda (8 January 2008). "Exposing Jeremy Clarkson's sensitive side". Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2010.
- ^ Gill, AA (20 July 2008). "Harley Street: another unimaginative medical drama". The Sunday Times. UK. Archived from the original on 8 September 2011. Retrieved 27 October 2010.
- ^ "Top Gear India special criticised for 'toilet humour'". Bbc.co.uk. 12 January 2012. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
- ^ "10 Reasons Why BBC's 'Top Gear' Is The Best Show On TV". Business Insider.
- ^ "Jeremy Clarkson dropped from Top Gear, BBC confirms – BBC News". BBC News Online. 25 March 2015. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
- ^ John Plunkett (24 April 2015). "Top Gear to have all-new team as Richard Hammond rules himself out". The Guardian.
- ^ Ward, Victoria (23 April 2015). "James May rules out returning to Top Gear without Jeremy Clarkson – Telegraph". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
- ^ "Clarkson, Hammond, May reveal the name of new motoring show". Wheels24. 11 May 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
- ^ "BBC – Chris Evans to lead new Top Gear line up – Media Centre". bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "Matt LeBlanc to be Top Gear co-presenter". BBC News. 4 February 2016.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
31stwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Top Gear will not return for 'foreseeable future'". BBC News. 21 November 2023.
- ^ "Top Gear sparks Mexico complaints". Bbc.co.uk. 1 February 2011. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
- ^ Huffman, John Pearley (6 October 2016). "The British Are Coming; Mayhem Sure to Follow". The New York Times. New York Times.
- ^ "Sir Bruce Forsyth becomes record breaker". BBC News Online. 7 September 2012. Archived from the original on 7 September 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
motoring show Top Gear, is also recognised in the 2013 volume. The BBC Two fixture holds the record for the world's most widely-watched factual TV programme, having now been broadcast in 212 territories.