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Top Gear trio Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May heading to Amazon Prime for new car show

New programme will be online only and require a subscription fee

Christopher Hooton
Friday 31 July 2015 10:43 BST
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Following Jeremy Clarkson's ignominious exit from the BBC, the Top Gear team have finally found a new home.

The trio will front an as yet untitled show on Amazon Prime starting next year and produced by former Top Gear executive Andy Wilman, the man who revamped the BBC show and gave it its adventure focus. Three series have already been commissioned.

"Customers told us they wanted to see the team back on screen, and we are excited to make that happen," said Jay Marine, vice president of Amazon Prime Video EU.

"Millions of Prime members are already enjoying our ground-breaking original shows. We can’t wait to see what Jeremy, Richard, James and the team will create in what is sure to be one of the most globally anticipated shows of 2016."

Amazon is thought to have made a "significant investment" to land the team, who rallied together following the infamous "fracas" that Clarkson became embroiled in at a Yorkshire hotel.

Hammond and May said they wanted nothing to do with the BBC's new version of Top Gear, which will be fronted by Chris Evans and, if rumours are to be believed, Jenson Button and Jodie Kidd.

It was previously thought that the presenters would head to Netflix, but it seems Amazon ultimately won the bidding war.

"Amazon? Oh yes. I have already been there. I got bitten by a bullet ant," Hammond added, with May commenting: "We have become part of the new age of smart TV. Ironic, isn't it?"

Amazon Prime has promised to give them "creative freedom" on the show, and allow them "to be innovative and make the shows they want to make".

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