The secret car show poised to sign up Jeremy Clarkson & Co is being made for ITV, whose bosses intend to run it head-to-head with Top Gear.<\/p>\n
The revelation will be a huge blow for the BBC and replacement host Chris Evans.<\/p>\n
Clarkson and co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May were said to have \u201cjumped at the chance\u201d to blow the ginger star\u2019s revamped version of their old show out of the water.<\/p>\n
Top Gear Live: Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May’s final episode<\/p>\n
ITV bosses plan to run the new programme in Top Gear\u2019s traditional slot \u2013 8pm on Sunday nights \u2013 creating a major headache for the BBC.<\/p>\n
Clarkson \u2013 seen getting close to a mystery woman at a Who concert in London on Friday \u2013 wants the new show to be as \u201canarchic, edgy and funny\u201d as Top Gear was before he was axed for punching producer Oisin Tymon.<\/p>\n
He also believes signing for ITV will be the \u201cperfect revenge\u201d after a mystery BBC executive likened him to serial child abuser Jimmy Savile before cancelling his \u00a31million-a-year contract.<\/p>\n
VIEW GALLERY Chris Evans leaves the BBC Radio studios in London, in his vintage Aston Martin
\nBut Evans has helped Tymon, 36, get his revenge too \u2013 by inviting him to return to work on the new Top Gear show.<\/p>\n
A source close to the ITV negotiations said: \u201cThe boys believe with the backing of ITV and a prime-time slot they can easily match, and probably beat, their BBC2 viewing figures.<\/p>\n
“The thought of making a show for the BBC\u2019s main rival is very appealing for them.<\/p>\n
\u201cJeremy was deeply hurt and angered by the briefing given by a mystery BBC \u00adexecutive which saw him linked with the name of Savile. Of course he\u2019d like to take revenge for that slur.\u201d<\/p>\n
But Clarkson, 55, looked happy and relaxed on Friday night as he chatted to his mystery friend at The Who\u2019s gig in Hyde Park.<\/p>\n
The dad-of-two, who has lived apart from wife Frances for three years, was seen listening intently to her in the VIP area at the Sixties legends\u2019 concert.<\/p>\n
BBCJames May and Richard Hammond in the final Top Gear showMoving channels: James May and Richard Hammond in the final Top Gear show
\nMeanwhile Evans\u2019 decision to bring back Tymon into the fold represents the latest twist in the long-running Top Gear saga.<\/p>\n
The producer has worked on other BBC shows since Clarkson thumped him for not providing hot food.<\/p>\n
But the Irishman was desperate to return Top Gear after working on it for more than a decade.<\/p>\n
Sources say Evans has told the BBC he has no objections and would welcome working with \u201csuch a good professional\u201d.<\/p>\n
The BBC anticipates record ratings for tonight\u2019s screening of the two final Top Gear episodes with the old team.<\/p>\n
ITV is desperate for a big \u201cmale friendly\u201d show after losing the European football rights deal.<\/p>\n
After secret talks at the home of ITV programme chief Peter Fincham the deal with Clarkson, Hammond and May \u2013 who have moved to new offices in London\u2019s Marylebone \u2013 is said to be \u201cclose to conclusion\u201d.<\/p>\n
One big plus point is that ITV\u2019s entertainment chief, Elaine Bedell, worked closely with the Top Gear team during her stint with the Beeb.<\/p>\n
PAOisin TymonWelcomed back: Top Gear producer, Oisin Tymon
\nOur source revealed: \u201cLike football, Top Gear is seen by some as being male-orientated programming.<\/p>\n
But actually it is also hugely popular with women and kids.\u201d<\/p>\n
One snag with the ITV deal is that Clarkson and Co are also discussing terms with a major American network.<\/p>\n
A source close to the negotiations said the trio and producer Andy Wilman, 52, were keen to retain total control over programme making.<\/p>\n
Such a deal would see them producing a show and then supplying it to a \u201cprimary brand\u201d such as ITV or Stateside companies like Hulu, Amazon or Netflix for distribution<\/p>\n
The source said: \u201cITV is an attractive proposition to keep British fans happy, but talks are also going on about a partnership with an American distributor.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are no issues with ITV having advert breaks \u2013 that happened when the show is screened in the States anyway and natural breaks would be written in.<\/p>\n
“They wouldn\u2019t make shorter shows. They would continue with a full hour-long programme.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe boys also want to have full control over what goes out. They don\u2019t want to be told what they can and cannot do. They want their new show to be as anarchic, edgy and funny as Top Gear was.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course they want to raise their game and beat Evans\u2019 Top Gear.<\/p>\n
There is a feeling among them it could lose that old chemistry and that viewers will want the real thing, not a pale, box-ticking imitation.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked about the decision to bring back Tymon, a BBC spokesman said: \u201cWe don\u2019t comment on staffing and have nothing to add.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked about the deal to make its own version of Top Gear with Clarkson and Co, an ITV spokesman said: \u201cWe don\u2019t comment on speculation.\u201d<\/p>\n
–<\/p>\n
Source: Mirror.co.uk<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The secret car show poised to sign up Jeremy Clarkson & Co is being made for ITV, whose bosses intend to run it head-to-head with Top Gear. The revelation will be a huge blow for the BBC and replacement host Chris Evans. Clarkson and co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May were said to have \u201cjumped […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":129451,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[],"tags":[6],"yoast_head":"\n