A Rare Vulnerable Moment From Clarkson Has Fans Talking

The presenter is well known around the world for his work alongside James May and Richard Hammond on motoring shows.

Firstly, the trio appeared on BBC’s Top Gear for over a decade before they moved over to Prime Video for The Grand Tour in 2015.

This concluded in 2024 with last year’s The Grad Tour: One For The Road, which saw the gang travel across Zimbabwe and Botswana in Africa.

Behind both shows was Mr Clarkson’s schoolmate and good friend Andy Wilman, who produced the programmes.

The 65-year-old Clarkson’s Farm star uploaded a video on Instagram yesterday (Thursday, November 6) speaking about his friend’s new book, Mr Wilman’s Motoring Adventure.

Mr Clarkson was visibly emotional in the video, showing pride for his friend amid the release of the book this week.

Fighting back the tears at times during the candid chat with his followers, he said: “I just want to talk, if I may for a moment, about Top Gear.

“The man responsible for it [Top Gear] is an incredible success, a man called Andy Wilman.

“He was there right at the beginning when he had to pay audience members out of his own pocket a fiver to stay to the bitter end because they were so bored.

“He was there when we ended it in Zimbabwe, he was the producer, he was the editor, he had to deal with James, Richard and I.

“He had to deal with Ofcom, he had to deal with the BBC, he just ran the whole thing and then of course he was there when the frakka happened and then he had to start all over again in a broom cupboard with one assistant and build it all up again from scratch and now of course, he’s busy editing the farm show.

“I’m delighted to say that he’s written a book. It’s called Mr Wilman’s Motoring Adventure, and he explains really in it how he did it and what happened, what really happened.

“It’s a fantastic book, it really is, I’m just overflowing with joy that he’s put it all on paper.

“So here’s a suggestion: after you’ve read my new book, The Farmer’s Dog, do get this. It really is worth your while.”

Fans were quick to support Mr Clarkson’s thoughts as one said: “A Top Gear edit suite legend.”

Internet content creator Connor Darlington said: “And what a show it was, never to be replicated.”

Another added: “Without Top Gear, my life would never have turned out how it has. Through the worst and best of my life, it was always there. Thank you all.”

This was echoed as another fan said: “Best childhood memory I’ve had watching Top Gear every weekend.”