Jeremy Clarkson has recently announced that he has decided to end his long-running partnership with Richard Hammond and James May. The trio, famous for their work on BBC's Top Gear and Amazon's The Grand Tour, have entertained audiences worldwide with their adventures and banter for almost two decades.
The decision comes at a time when Clarkson is basking in the success of his latest venture, Clarkson's Farm, and feels that he has reached a point in his career where he is no longer as passionate about cars as he once was. In a candid interview with The Sunday Times, Clarkson shared his reasons for stepping away from the collaboration that has defined a significant part of his professional life.
"After 36 years of talking about cars on television, I'm packing it in because I'm too old and fat to get into the cars that I like and not interested in driving those I don't," Clarkson revealed. "What this means, of course, is that my 22-year partnership with James May and Richard Hammond is now over. You can see our final road trip together on Amazon Prime very soon. It's emotional."
The trio, known for their camaraderie and on-screen chemistry, carefully considered how to bring their partnership to a close. Ultimately, they settled on filming a special episode titled One for the Road as a fitting swansong. Clarkson explained that the decision to shoot in Zimbabwe held sentimental significance as they would retrace their journey from their early days in television to the present.
"We had thought long and hard about how we should end our 22-year partnership, but in the end, we just went to the end of the alphabet and selected Zimbabwe as our destination," Clarkson shared. "There was another reason why we chose Zimbabwe. We wanted to drive across it from east to west, cross the border, and finish where it all began – the Makgadikgadi salt pans in Botswana."
Reflecting on the conclusion of their partnership, Clarkson expressed gratitude that the trio's parting was amicable and devoid of controversy. "It makes the three of us happy that our working relationship did not end in a blizzard of outrage and tabloid headlines but rather landed safely and gently," he stated.
As the trio bids farewell to their collaboration on-screen, Clarkson acknowledged the unsung heroes behind the camera who contributed to the success of their shows. He emphasized the importance of the dedicated crews who worked tirelessly to capture their adventures and antics, shaping the programs that entertained millions of viewers worldwide.
Earlier this year, news emerged that Clarkson, Hammond, and May had dissolved their production company, marking the end of an era in their collaborative efforts. The decision to declare solvency and appoint a liquidator to "wind up" their business signaled a new chapter for the trio as they embark on individual endeavors.
Clarkson's departure from his longstanding partnership with Hammond and May marks a significant transition in his career, signaling a shift in focus towards new opportunities and challenges. As fans eagerly anticipate the final road trip of the iconic trio, they can look back on the memorable moments and adventures that defined an era in automotive television entertainment.