Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May hint at making a Top Gear style show to the US
Is Jeremy Clarkson about to make the leap across the pond? Reunited with Richard Hammond and James May for live shows in Australia, Clarkson is said to have teased fans last night that the trio has found a “new channel” for a motoring show similar to Top Gear.
Clarkson hinted they could be signing with another network, with online streaming services including Netflix and Amazon mooted to be among the bidders.
Speculated to be in America, it was reported that Hammond almost told fans which channel, but was stopped by Clarkson who joked about his American accent. Clarkson then said: “You’re not in America,” to which Hammond replied “Not yet.”
It's understood Clarkson is unable to make a rival car show in the UK for another two years because of a clause in his contract.
In May, The Sunday Mirror reported that despite clauses in the contracts of the ex-Top Gear trio, their lawyers are confident that a new motoring show could be made outside the UK, and then broadcast in the UK through a streaming service.
At the live show, Clarkson said:
Amazingly, there had been a lot of interest in us doing a car show for television.
Who knows, very soon once more you will be seeing us on a television or an internet near where you live.
This adds to speculation after Clarkson wrote in his column in the Sunday Times that he had had to give up drinking in the evening so he could negotiate with Californians.
Clarkson was released from Top Gear earlier this year after an investigation into a dispute with BBC producer Oisin Tymon about hot food.
Read more: BBC picks Chris Evans to replace Jeremy Clarkson as presenter
The presenter had previously owned a stake in the production company Bedder 6, a firm that formed in partnership with Clarkson to exploit the show’s global appeal. BBC Worldwide bought this out in 2012.
Chris Evans has since been announced as Clarkson’s replacement on Top Gear, for which two new presenters, who are yet to be confirmed, will join him.