A former High Gear producer has claimed that the BBC felt the presenter line-up was ‘too white’ and ‘needed to sack one host.’ Jeremy Clarkson fronted the BBC motoring present alongside Richard Hammond and James Could earlier than all three exited in 2015 when Clarkson’s contract was not renewed. After leaving High Gear, the trio went on to create ‘The Grand Tour’ for Amazon Prime, which concluded final yr after six seasons. Jeremy Clarkson had beforehand offered High Gear between 1988 and 1999, earlier than Hammond joined. James Could then accomplished the lineup in 2003 in a brand new, revamped model of the present.

Andy Wilman, a co-creator of High Gear, has claimed that he was as soon as invited to a gathering with BBC bosses, the place they apparently debated whether or not to take away one of many ‘white, middle-class, middle-aged’ hosts.

In his new ebook, referred to as Mr Wilman’s Motoring Journey, the producer defined how he was requested by a TV govt: “So, how about changing one in every of your line-up with a younger… black or Asian presenter.”

In extracts obtained by The Solar, Andy reportedly responded: “So cling on, you have received younger black and Asian viewers who’ve chosen, seemingly fairly fortunately, to look at three white, middle-class, middle-aged males doing what they do, and in response to that, we must always now break that workforce up — the one they get pleasure from watching — and provides them one thing they’re almost definitely not asking for?

Andy mentioned that he requested them: “Is not that type of patronising to… younger black and Asian viewers?”

Categorical On-line has contacted the BBC for remark.

After the trio left High Gear in 2015, radio host Chris Evans took over as present host from 2016 till 2019. He was then joined by Mates icon Matt LeBlanc. Chris then left and was changed by Chris Harris and Rory Reid. The ultimate lineup noticed Chris being joined by Paddy McGuinness and Freddie Flintoff.

Manufacturing has been on maintain on the present since 2022 after former England cricket captain Freddie was hospitalised following a critical accident at a check observe in Surrey.

Freddie suffered critical accidents after his car flipped and slid alongside a observe. He sustained damaged ribs and horrific facial accidents consequently, and he was later deemed “fortunate to be alive” after the collision.

In November 2023, the BBC mentioned the present won’t be returning for the “foreseeable future.”