Top Gear’s rise and fall – from Hollywood cameos, horror crashes and plummeting ratings | TV & Radio | Showbiz & TV [Video]

Jeremy Clarkson jokes about Top Gear hosts

The BBC’s flagship car show Top Gear has been a staple in many homes across the country since it began 47 years ago. From daring stunts, wild challenges and celebrity appearances, the motoring show has kept fans entertained for decades.

Originally, the series aired on April 22 back in 1977 with Angela Rippon and Tom Coyne fronting the series. They spoke on a broad range of motor topics, from car reviews to road safety and offering consumer advice.

For over 20 years the show saw a rotation of presenters from Noel Edmonds to Tiff Needell, William Woollard and Quentin Willson. However, the BBC decided to cancel the programme in 2001, with many cast and crew moving to Channel 5 for Fifth Gear.

However, it wasn’t off screens for long as the broadcaster relaunched the show in 2002. This time, fans saw Jeremey Clarkson, Richard Hammond and Jason Dawe as the hosts with James May replacing Jason the …