Top Gear finale: Clarkson accuses BBC of 'talking down' last show as ELEPHANT replaces him
CONTROVERSIAL presenter Jeremy Clarkson last night accused the BBC of "talking down" his final appearance in Top Gear, as fans of the motoring show saw him replaced by a giant ELEPHANT.
Tonight marked the final episode of Top Gear
Sunday night marked the final time that viewers would see new footage of Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May hosting the popular BBC2 show.
The style of the programme differed from its usual routine, with no live studio audience, no star in a reasonably priced car and a giant ELEPHANT replacing an absent Jeremy Clarkson.
Rumours of the elephant first surfaced last week, and is believed to be in reference to "the elephant in the room" caused by Clarkson's sacking from the BBC.
The corporation announced they would not renew the 55-year-old's contract earlier this year following his now infamous "fracas" with a BBC producer.
After his departure was announced, it was soon revealed that Hammond and May were sticking by their friend after they vowed not to carry on Top Gear without Clarkson.
Last night the final footage of the trio - filmed before Clarkson was dropped - was finally unveiled to Top Gear fans after months of waiting.
The final Clarkson, May and Hammond episode saw no studio audience
It saw the famous three in two different scenarios, where they drove classic cars around Buckinghamshire and dabbled with SUVs in Rutland.
The crew also visited north Yorkshire, leaving fans wondering whether this was the place where Clarkson attacked his producer - ultimately resulting in the end of his Top Gear career.
The incident that saw Clarkson dropped from the show, which happened in March, occurred at the Simonstone Hall Hotel in Hawes, north Yorkshire.
One part of the show saw Hammond, May and Clarkson embarrass themselves at a pub quiz where they could not answer a Top Gear question.
The quiz master asked the room which song had won the Top Gear best driving song contest, to which the motoring trio look utterly bemused.
Meanwhile, the group also took their final challenge around the famous track - which saw James May claim victory, only by a split second from Clarkson, in a Peugeot.
Fans were quick to tweet about the elephant
The trio attended a pub quiz - where they couldn't answer a Top Gear question
Hammond during the pub quiz
Fans of the hit motoring show took to Twitter to react to the elephant supposedly replacing Jeremy, with some replacing it as a "stroke of genius".
The actual massive elephant in the #TopGear studio is genius.
— Simon Thomas (@SimonThomasSky) June 28, 2015
Love the fact that Clarkson has been replaced by an elephant in the room! #TopGear
— Edward James Timmins (@timmins99) June 28, 2015
Enjoyed Top Gear, shame its over. Loved the elephant in the room
— Chris Lewis (@chrislewis221) June 28, 2015
And although fans took to the social networking site to praise the work of Hammond, Clarkson and May, some said they would never watch another episode of Top Gear again.
Brilliant #TopGear final episode, could not help but feel sad at the Good Bye...
— Jean-François Moy (@moystard) June 28, 2015
Sad to see the @BBC_TopGear studio so empty. Brilliant last films though, can't wait to see what the 3 of them are going to do. #RIPTopGear
— Carly Berry ? (@carlyjberry) June 28, 2015
Well I shall never again watch a Sunday episode of #TopGear. Thank you @JeremyClarkson @RichardHammond @MrJamesMay #OnThatBombshell
— Gethin Jones (@GethinHJones) June 28, 2015
I grew up watching #TopGear. It's sad to think il never watch it again. #RIPTopGear
— Anthony Stephens (@antswimming) June 28, 2015
Mere hours before the show aired, Clarkson took to Twitter to criticise a BBC News report ahead of his final episode.
Clarkson tweeted: "Strange that BBC News is talking down the last Top Gear tonight. Do they not want big ratings for some reason?"
His co-presenter, Richard Hammond, replied asking: "Oh, is it on? Always liked that."