'Top Gear': Richard Hammond NOT Returning As He's 'Standing By His Mates', Jeremy Clarkson And James May

Richard Hammond Breaks Silence On 'Top Gear' Future
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Richard Hammond has broken his silence about his future on ‘Top Gear’, confirming that he won’t be back on the show without Jeremy Clarkson and James May.

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For weeks, Richard has been tight-lipped on his future plans for weeks, Richard has now expressed his solidarity with his friends, insisting that his time as a presenter on ‘Top Gear’ is now over, after over a decade with the show.

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Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond

Writing on his Twitter page on Friday afternoon, Richard confirmed the news that he wouldn’t be back, explaining: “There's nothing for me to 'quit'. Not about to quit my mates anyway.”

The three men were pictured together on Thursday, prompting speculation they were meeting to discuss future opportunities as a trio.

‘Top Gear’ producer Andy Wilman has also now announced his departure from the show, despite insisting recently that reports claiming that he was leaving weren’t accurate.

It’s believed that the Beeb are pushing on with their quest to find new presenters to front a rebooted version of ‘Top Gear’ next year, with Philip Glenister - who previously hosted Channel 4’s ‘For The Love Of Cars’ - reportedly topping producers’ wishlists.

Meanwhile, BBC bosses have confirmed that Jeremy Clarkson’s final ‘Top Gear’ scenes - recorded before the “fracas” that cost him his job - will be shown at some point in the coming months.

Who Could Replace Jeremy Clarkson On 'Top Gear'?
Katie Hopkins(01 of11)
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If you're looking for someone who doesn't mind being purposefully offensive, look no further than Katie Hopkins. The controversy magnet hits the headlines more often than all the Top Gear stars put together, normally because she's offended someone/a large group of people.
Nigel Farage(02 of11)
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You've suspended a pint-loving smoker who has his head stuck in the 1940s? Why not employ someone exactly the same person?Nigel Farage has virtually the same political views as Clarkson, so he'd probably be a good fit.
Vladimir Putin(03 of11)
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If you want someone with outdated ideas about their country's military might and an odd desire to look as masculine as possible, the Russian leader would be a good one to go for. Although he probably won't be free any time soon, he's probably going to be running the Kremlin until he dies.
Piers Morgan(04 of11)
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If you've ever seen one of Piers' epic Twitter spats with Clarkson, you'll know he's remarkably similar in many ways. The same fashion sense, a similarly punchable face, and all the rest of it.
Angela Rippon(05 of11)
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She did so well presenting it in 1977, why not bring her back?
John Inverdale(06 of11)
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Who better to take over from Clarkson's controversy-laden style than the man who brought us "rose-c***ed spectacles"?
Dapper Laughs(07 of11)
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Here's someone as offensive and widely hated as Clarkson, who'll undoubtedly make the same kind of unpleasant jokes just because he thinks they're funny. If maximum offensiveness is what you're going for, snap up the world's least funny comedian ASAP.
Chris Evans(08 of11)
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Chris Evans has been rumoured to be one of the next in line to host the car show, so it might be the right move.
Alan Partridge(09 of11)
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The veteran radio host's alter ego Steve Coogan is quite the petrol-head, having appeared on the show several times. But wouldn't it be great for the man from Norwich to take you around the Top Gear track whining about "POWERRRR" is his trademark nasal voice?
Kanye West(10 of11)
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Potentially the only ego bigger than Clarkson's.
Mr Blobby(11 of11)
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He'd certainly be more coherent than Clarkson at times. He's probably also a bit skinnier and a better driver.