Top Gear creator claims bosses almost rejected one presenting legend – and another messed up his audition

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Andy Wilman, who created the show Top Gear, has shared that James May wasn’t originally chosen to be a presenter when the show was being put together in the early 2000s.

James May began working with Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond on the BBC’s car show in 2003, and the three of them achieved great popularity before departing in 2015.

Since then, the hosts transitioned to Prime Video and created The Grand Tour, which has now finished airing.

James May almost didn’t co-host the new motoring show, ‘Mr Wilman’s Motoring Adventure’. According to excerpts from the book published in The Sun, Jeremy Clarkson ran into May at a car event, which led to producers reconsidering him for the role.

Clarkson felt May would be a “good counterpoint to me and Hammond”.

Wilman also pointed out that Hammond’s audition wasn’t great, but he surprisingly won over BBC executives by passionately complaining that this lack of success was a pattern in his career.

According to The Sun, Wilman described the scene as being filled with uncontrollable laughter, to the point where Jeremy could hardly talk. They immediately realized they had found something truly special.

According to the book, the BBC considered firing both Richard Hammond and original Top Gear presenter Jason Dawe after the show’s first season in 2002. Dawe ended up leaving, but Hammond was allowed to continue.

Jeremy and I were surprised to learn that the BBC’s executives also had doubts about Richard. While they hadn’t made a final decision like they had with Jason, they were certainly considering letting him go.

Richard received a rather unusual Christmas gift from the BBC – keeping his job. He didn’t find out until after the holidays, in the new year.

Mr Wilman’s new book, Mr Wilman’s Motoring Adventure: Top Gear, Grand Tour, Clarkson and Me, comes out on November 6th and you can order it ahead of time now.

You can stream Top Gear on BBC iPlayer. Plus, add it to your watchlist using the TopMob: What to Watch app – get the app now for daily TV suggestions, articles, and other content.

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2025-11-03 14:34