Woke BBC bosses ‘wanted to sack a Top Gear host because line-up was too white’ despite record viewers

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BBC executives were apparently considering replacing a Top Gear presenter because they felt the show’s initial hosts lacked diversity.

The popular car show returned in 2002 with a new lineup, hosted by Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond.

At its most popular, an incredible 350 million people watched the group perform.

But according to Andy Wilman, a co-creator and producer of the show, BBC executives once considered replacing one of the three hosts due to concerns about the show featuring three middle-aged white men.

According to excerpts from his upcoming book shared with The Sun, Andy describes being called into a meeting where executives informed him that Top Gear was attracting a younger audience of Black and Asian viewers.

He says an executive then suggested replacing one of the current presenters with someone young who is Black or Asian.

Okay, seriously, let me get this straight. People – young Black and Asian viewers, specifically – are actually choosing to watch us three older, white guys do our thing, and they seem to like it! And the suggestion is… we should just break us up and give them something else? Something they haven’t even asked for? It just doesn’t make any sense! They’re watching willingly, they’re enjoying it, and people want to change it anyway? I’m honestly baffled. It feels like we’re being punished for having an audience!

‘Isn’t that sort of patronising to . . . young black and Asian viewers?’

His argument appeared to work and the threesome went on to host the show until 2015. 

The Daily Mail have contacted representatives at the BBC for comment. 

In 2015, Jeremy left Top Gear and the BBC following an incident where he physically assaulted producer Oisin Tymon. This happened after learning that his hotel wasn’t serving a hot dinner due to the kitchen being closed while they were filming.

Richard and James joined him at Amazon, and together the three of them created and hosted The Grand Tour from 2016 to September 2024.

In 2019, Paddy McGuinness, Chris Harris, and Freddie Flintoff took over hosting Top Gear, succeeding the show’s popular former presenters.

After a serious crash involving presenter Freddie Flintoff in 2022, production of the show was halted. The BBC has since announced that it won’t be returning anytime soon.

The network initially hinted at future updates, but they never released any further information about Top Gear.

Back in April Jeremy admitted it would be ‘very sad’ if Top Gear never returned to TV screens.

You know, I really think there’s a place for this show to come back on television. But I envision it evolving – less about flashy entertainment and more about genuinely helpful information. Think back to the original run, from ’77 to 2001 – it was all about honest car reviews and giving viewers solid advice. That’s the sweet spot, and what I think would resonate with audiences today.

‘It would be sad if it never came back, that would be very sad,’ he told The Times. 

Right now, a show about cars would be really useful. The automotive industry is evolving incredibly quickly, especially with the rise of electric vehicles, and most people aren’t sure which models are actually good choices.

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2025-11-02 01:22