Jeremy Clarkson hints at possible Top Gear reunion with James May and Richard Hammond in 2026

Jeremy Clarkson has sparked fresh speculation about a possible reunion of the original Top Gear trio, hinting at what could be a high-profile return alongside James May and Richard Hammond in 2026.

Clarkson, May and Hammond became one of the most recognisable presenting teams in global television during their long run on Top Gear, which they fronted together for more than a decade. Their era of the programme, which ended in 2015, transformed the BBC motoring show into an international phenomenon, known as much for its elaborate challenges and cinematic road trips as for traditional car reviews.

Their departure followed the termination of Clarkson’s BBC contract after allegations of verbal and physical abuse towards a producer. In the aftermath, all three presenters left the corporation and later reunited on Amazon Prime Video for The Grand Tour, which ran for several seasons before airing its final episode in September 2024.

Since then, each member of the trio has pursued individual projects. Clarkson, in particular, has enjoyed renewed success with Clarkson’s Farm, filmed on his 1,000-acre Diddly Squat Farm near Chadlington. The documentary-style series has so far produced four seasons, with a fifth confirmed for release next year, and has introduced a very different side of the former motoring journalist to audiences.

Despite this, Clarkson has now suggested that his Top Gear chapter may not be fully closed. The renewed interest follows a quote from James May circulating on social media, in which May reflected on the way their time on the BBC programme came to an end. He described the situation as “very unfortunate” and argued that the show did not necessarily need to finish as a result of the incident, suggesting it could have been resolved under intense working pressures.

The comment prompted fans to urge the trio to reunite, with one social media user tagging Clarkson, May and Richard Hammond and describing a potential comeback as the “greatest return” in UK television history. Clarkson’s response was brief but telling. Replying directly, he wrote: “It will be back in May,” a remark that has been widely interpreted as a deliberate tease rather than a coincidence.

Since the trio’s exit, Top Gear has continued with a rotating line-up of presenters, most recently including Chris Harris, Paddy McGuinness and Freddie Flintoff. The programme was paused following Flintoff’s serious crash during filming in 2023, casting further uncertainty over its long-term future.

Meanwhile, the BBC has continued to air repeat episodes from the Clarkson-May-Hammond era, with many of the classic instalments available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Their continued popularity has only fuelled calls for some form of revival.

Whether Clarkson’s remark signals a genuine return, a one-off special, or simply a playful response remains unclear. However, his comment has reignited debate about the legacy of Top Gear and whether the most famous line-up in the show’s history could yet reunite on screen.