Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May wind down £24m joint company as TV partnership ends

After more than two decades of working side by side on some of the most successful motoring shows in television history, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May have reportedly drawn the curtain on their legendary partnership. The trio, who transformed car entertainment into a global phenomenon, are said to be closing down their joint production company—W. Chump & Sons—in a move that effectively signals the end of an era.

According to records filed this week with Companies House, the company is undergoing a voluntary winding up. The filings reveal that W. Chump & Sons, founded in July 2015 with long-time collaborator and producer Andy Wilman, had £24,087,100 on its books at the time of liquidation. If distributed evenly, that sum could see Clarkson, Hammond, May, and Wilman each walk away with around £6 million.

The closure is more than just a financial matter—it represents the formal conclusion of a 23-year collaboration that began on the BBC’s Top Gear, where the trio became household names. What started as a car programme evolved into a cultural juggernaut, with Clarkson’s blunt humour, Hammond’s daredevil energy, and May’s measured approach combining to create a formula that drew tens of millions of viewers worldwide. Top Gear at its peak was broadcast in over 200 territories and became one of the BBC’s most profitable exports.

That golden run came to an abrupt halt in 2015 after Clarkson’s high-profile dismissal from the BBC following a confrontation with a producer. Yet within months, the three reunited on Amazon Prime Video with The Grand Tour. Backed by one of the most lucrative streaming deals of its time, the show brought their trademark blend of epic road trips, car stunts, and camaraderie to global audiences once again. Running for five series and numerous specials, it cemented their reputation as one of the most enduring partnerships in television. Their final special, One for the Road, aired in 2024, drawing a curtain on their shared adventures.

Now, with W. Chump & Sons being struck off, each of the presenters has firmly stepped into the next chapter of his career. Clarkson, 65, has reinvented himself as an unlikely farmer on Clarkson’s Farm. The Prime Video series, set at his Diddly Squat Farm in Oxfordshire, has proven to be a runaway hit, praised for its blend of humour, frustration, and genuine insight into the challenges of British agriculture. It has also introduced a breakout star in Kaleb Cooper, the young farmhand who frequently spars with Clarkson over his lack of farming knowledge. A fifth season has already been commissioned, further cementing Clarkson’s role as one of Amazon’s most bankable stars. In addition, he continues to front ITV1’s Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, ensuring his presence on mainstream British television.

James May, 62, has also embraced a variety of solo ventures. Beyond launching his own gin brand, he has broadened his television portfolio, most recently presenting the Channel 5 travel documentary series Great Explorers, which blends his dry wit with historical storytelling. May’s eclectic style has allowed him to remain a distinctive voice in British broadcasting, appealing to audiences who appreciate his thoughtful and often humorous takes on the world.

Richard Hammond, 55, has chosen to focus on his lifelong passion for classic cars. His series Richard Hammond’s Workshop, which streams on Discovery+, follows the highs and lows of running The Smallest Cog, his car restoration business in Herefordshire. The show not only highlights the challenges of keeping a workshop afloat but also offers personal glimpses into Hammond’s life, including appearances from his daughter, Izzy, who is actively involved in the garage. The series is due to return with new episodes in October, providing fans with another season of behind-the-scenes drama and father-daughter dynamics.

Off-screen, Hammond has faced personal challenges. Earlier this year, it was confirmed that he had separated from his wife of 28 years, Mindy, with whom he shares two daughters. As part of ongoing divorce proceedings, Mindy is reportedly seeking to retain Bollitree Castle, their £7 million estate in Herefordshire. Hammond, meanwhile, is said to have relocated to a rented property nearby, which also serves as the base for his restoration business.

For many fans, the winding up of W. Chump & Sons brings with it a sense of finality. The company symbolised the creative bond that powered Top Gear and The Grand Tour, and its closure underscores the reality that Clarkson, Hammond, and May are unlikely to reunite on a major project again. Yet it also highlights their remarkable legacy: from car reviews to global adventures, they redefined a genre, entertained millions, and left an indelible mark on popular culture.

Now, as they move on to separate ventures, they do so not only with vast fortunes but with decades of shared history that made them icons of British television. For viewers who grew up with their antics—from caravans set ablaze to supercars raced through deserts—their split marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.