Past, Present, and Future: Top Gear

Top Gear has enjoyed a long success story. From humble origins as a 9 part monthly series on BBC Midlands, the show underwent a number of style and presenter changes before finding the most popular combination of James May, Richard Hammond, and the larger than life Jeremy Clarkson.

Top Gear: a timeline of events

Originally the series had an on-the-road style, commenting on commuting traffic, odd road signs, and the MPG of the cars they were driving. This format continued until the reboot in 2003 with Hammond and co-star Richard Dawe. Dawe lasted for only one season before being replaced by James May.

The reboot of the series was in response to Channel 5s launch of the show Fifth Gear. Fifth Gear stole the presenters and producers from Top Gears 2001 run. In fact, the name change was only due to the fact that the BBC refused to give up the name, Top Gear. This was due to their publication of a magazine with the same name.

Both Jeremy Clarkson and James May had been presenters on the show in its old format, and the success of the trio is linked to their on-screen personas. The show took on new life and began welcoming celebrities to challenge the track in a reasonably priced car and the mystery of The Stig proved to be popular among fans of the show.

Credit: https://thestigfacts.wordpress.com/

With the loss of Clarkson, May, and Hammond, many feared that the show would lose its humour and appeal, and so it was with baited breath that the world watched the first episode of the new series featuring the new hosts.

This season has been filled with controversy, with rumours of behind-scene bickering and rivalry, leading to a low viewer rating. Now with the host, Chris Evans, giving up his spot, will fan favourite Matt Le Blanc be able to hold the show together and get back the ratings his predecessors enjoyed?

In the poll below, let us know who your favourite presenters were / are, and let us know in the comments who you would like to see on the show in the future.