Former Top Gear presenters Jeremy Clarkson and James May have stunned fans with a surprising revelation about the show that made them household names.
The pair, who famously co-hosted the BBC’s flagship motoring program alongside Richard Hammond for over a decade, confirmed that they don’t receive any payment for the constant reruns of Top Gear still airing on BBC channels.
The trio’s time on the hit show began in the early 2000s, transforming Top Gear into a global phenomenon known for its mix of high-octane stunts, globe-trotting adventures, and chaotic humor. However, after Clarkson’s well-publicized departure from the BBC in 2015, both May and Hammond followed him out the door, marking the end of an era for the motoring series.
Following their exit, the three reunited under Amazon Prime Video with The Grand Tour, which enjoyed a successful multi-season run before concluding in 2024 with a farewell special titled One For The Road. Since then, all three have gone on to pursue individual projects — though their shared chemistry and banter continue to be remembered fondly by millions of fans around the world.
Life After Top Gear
Jeremy Clarkson, now 65, has embraced a completely different lifestyle, swapping supercars for tractors. He currently runs Diddly Squat Farm in Oxfordshire, which became the focus of his hit Prime Video documentary series Clarkson’s Farm. The show also features his ventures into the pub and brewing world, including his business The Farmer’s Dog and the Hawkstone Brewery brand.
Meanwhile, James May has taken on a range of projects that showcase his curiosity and wit. The 61-year-old launched his own James Gin brand and continues to tour with his live show Explorers: The Age of Discovery, which recently made a stop at the New Theatre in Oxford.
Although both men have long since moved on from Top Gear, fans still see their classic episodes aired regularly on BBC channels, including BBC Three. This ongoing presence led one curious fan to raise an unexpected question on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
The Question That Sparked It All
The fan wrote:
“Despite the BBC sacking everyone, I note on BBC3 that there are still old Top Gear reruns. I assume you all still get paid for these?”
Clarkson’s response came as a shock to many long-time viewers. He simply replied:
“I don’t.”
His former co-presenter James May quickly joined in, confirming the same situation with a short but telling comment:
“Me neither.”
Their remarks have since gone viral, sparking widespread discussion among fans about how television royalties and rerun rights actually work — particularly for shows that continue to be broadcast years after the original presenters’ departures.
Fans React with Shock and Support
Many fans expressed disbelief that the iconic hosts, whose chemistry helped make Top Gear one of the most-watched TV shows on Earth, do not receive any financial benefit from its continued success. Others argued that, given the BBC’s structure as a publicly funded broadcaster, the rights and residuals for presenters are often handled differently than in commercial networks.
Regardless of the business side, one thing is certain — even nearly a decade after their departure, Clarkson, May, and Hammond remain inseparable from the legacy of Top Gear. Their dynamic partnership, trademark humor, and wild adventures reshaped car entertainment forever, and reruns of their golden-era episodes continue to pull in viewers old and new alike.
And while Top Gear may now belong to a different generation of presenters, the original trio’s legacy — and their fans’ affection — shows no sign of fading.
