EntertainmentTop GearJeremy ClarksonJames May

‘Top Gear' Stars In ‘Top Secret Meeting With ITV': Are Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond And James May About To Launch A New Show?

Are Clarkson And Co About To Defect To ITV?
Matt Bagwell
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Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May have reportedly had a secret meeting with ITV bosses as the channel attempts to to try and woo the former ‘Top Gear’ presenters.

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According to The Mirror, all three presenters attended the meeting at the West London home of channel director Peter Fincham on Wednesday evening.

They were joined by former ‘Top Gear’ producer Andy Wilman - who quit the BBC motoring show last month - and ITV entertainment boss, Elaine Bedell.

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Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond could be driving off to ITV

Despite ITV previously insisting there were ‘no plans’ to enter into talks with Jeremy Clarkson, it is thought the channel is now keen to secure all three presenters after Richard Hammond and James May confirmed they would also be leaving the show.

The meeting is believed to be the first involving all three presenters, with prior discussions only involving Andy Wilman.

The former ‘Top Gear’ team are also believed to have had meetings with streaming services, such as Netflix and Amazon.

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ITV entertainment boss, Elaine Bedell

Elaine Bedell has a long history with Clarkson both professionally and personally.

She previously worked as head of factual entertainment at the BBC – where ‘Top Gear’ fell under her remit.

News of the meeting with ITV comes just days after the rumoured new line-up for ‘Top Gear’ was revealed.

Former model Jodie Kidd, actor Philip Glenister and motorcycle star Guy Martin are all being lined up as the Beeb’s ‘dream team’ to front the revamped show, according to reports.

Last night an ITV spokesman told The Mirror: "We haven't commented, and aren't planning to comment, on the continual Top Gear speculation which is swirling around the television industry."

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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.

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