Top Gear (2002 TV series)
Top Gear is a British motoring magazine and entertainment television programme. It is a revival by Jeremy Clarkson and Andy Wilman of the 1977–2001 show of the same name for the BBC, and premiered on 20 October 2002. The programme focuses on the examination and reviewing of motor vehicles, primarily cars, though this was expanded upon after the broadcast of its earlier series to incorporate films featuring motoring-based challenges, special races, timed laps of notable cars, and celebrity timed laps on a course specially-designed for the relaunched programme. The programme drew acclaim for its visual and presentation style since its launch, which focused on being generally entertaining to viewers, as well as criticism over the controversial nature of its content. The show was also praised for its occasionally-controversial humour and lore existing in not just the automotive community but in the form of internet memes and jokes. The programme was aired on BBC Two until it was moved to BBC One for its twenty-ninth series in 2020.
From left to right: Richard Hammond, James May and Jeremy Clarkson in 2008
May, Hammond and Clarkson at a Top Gear Live show in 2014
The Suzuki Liana featured as the show's first "Reasonably Priced Car"
Jeremy Clarkson's "Toybota" Hilux pick-up truck from the amphibious cars challenge
Jeremy Charles Robert Clarkson is an English television presenter, journalist, and writer who specialises in motoring. He is best known for the motoring programmes Top Gear and The Grand Tour alongside Richard Hammond and James May. He also currently writes weekly columns for The Sunday Times and The Sun. Since 2018 Clarkson has hosted the ITV game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
Clarkson in 2012
Image: Jeremy Clarkson Signature
Clarkson (right) with his fellow Top Gear presenters, Richard Hammond and James May in 2008
Clarkson (second from left) at the 2011 Top Gear Live show, along with James May (third from left) and Shane Jacobson (far left)