It ain’t Top Gear, but you can bet it’ll be as close to it as legally possible.
The show’s former hosts Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May have all signed a deal with Amazon Prime to host a new car show, airing in 2016.
Former Top Gear executive producer Andy Wilman (who also quit the BBC post-Clarkson going ham over hot food and decking a producer) is also on board.
“I can’t tell you how good it feels to get the chance to produce something from scratch. We’re all really excited. No one telling us what we can and can’t do, just us hopefully producing great programmes. It feels really liberating.”
Translation: SUCK IT, BCC.
Never let it be said that the trio are dull; here are their offish statements from the press release:
Clarkson: “I feel like I’ve climbed out of a biplane and into a spaceship.”
Hammond: “Amazon? Oh yes. I have already been there. I got bitten by a bullet ant.”
May: “We have become part of the new age of smart TV. Ironic, isn’t it?”
And their tweets:
I’m very excited to announce that Hammond, May and I have signed a deal with .@AmazonVideo
— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) July 30, 2015
Good news! I’ve got a job with @AmazonVideoUK. Bad news! So have the other two. #AmazonPrime #ItSaysHere
— James May (@MrJamesMay) July 30, 2015
I’ve got a job I’ve got a job I’ve got a job.
Haircut, clean jeans and practice driving again. Forrrrwaaaaaaaard!!
— Richard Hammond (@RichardHammond) July 30, 2015
While Amazon’s not disclosing what the deal amounted to – “We have made a significant investment” – it was reported that the BBC offered May and Hammond a combined package of £4.6 million to come back to Top Gear for two to three more years. They declined, so the BBC went with THIS GUY. 
via BBC / Evening Standard
