Celebrated television personalities Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May dissolve their £24 million joint company, signifying the demise of their TV partnership
In a significant shift for the world of automotive entertainment, the long-standing TV partnership between Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May has come to an end. The trio, known for their iconic shows like Top Gear and The Grand Tour, has reportedly parted ways after more than two decades.
The news of their separation follows the conclusion of The Grand Tour, which ran for five series on Amazon Prime before wrapping up in 2024. Since then, each presenter has moved on to individual projects.
Jeremy Clarkson, according to Companies House documents, is set to receive around 6 million pounds sterling from the voluntary liquidation of the production company W. Chump & Sons. The company, which the trio founded with Andy Wilman after Clarkson's departure from the BBC in 2015, is now set to be struck off following a voluntary winding up, with an estimated £24 million in assets. Each of the presenters is expected to receive approximately £6 million from the closure of W. Chump & Sons.
Meanwhile, Richard Hammond is gearing up for a return to television screens with a new series of Richard Hammond's Workshop on Discovery+. The show follows his car restoration business, The Smallest Cog, and features his daughter, Izzy, as well. Hammond is said to be living in a rented property nearby, where he also runs his restoration garage.
Clarkson, too, continues to find success with his own ventures. He hosts ITV1's reboot of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and has found renewed success with Clarkson's Farm on Prime Video. A fifth series of Clarkson's Farm has already been commissioned.
James May, on the other hand, has fronted the Channel 5 travel series Great Explorers and launched his own gin brand.
The end of this partnership effectively marks the conclusion of a 23-year on-screen collaboration that began with Top Gear. While the trio's fans may miss their antics, it's exciting to see what new adventures await each presenter in their individual endeavours.
