Last chance to see Top Gear hosts together? 'Clarkson, Hammond and May Live' gets go ahead
JEREMY CLARKSON is set to be reunited with his former Top Gear co-stars Richard Hammond and James May, when the trio host a series of live shows.
So as not to disappoint the thousands of people around the world who have already purchased tickets, BBC Worldwide has agreed with our joint venture partner Brand Events that the remainder of the tour can continue
A deal for a much-anticipated Top Gear world tour had been signed before the controversial presenter was axed from the hugely popular motoring show for hitting producer Oisin Tymon.
And today BBC bosses revealed that the planned 2015 live shows WILL go ahead - but instead of being called 'Top Gear Live', the show will be known as 'Clarkson, Hammond and May Live.'
The live shows, which are set to air from venues around the world including Australia, Norway, South Africa and the UK, will also be stripped of any BBC branding or content.
Thousands of fans around the world had already bought tickets and the first live show will take place in Belfast on May 22.
BBC Worldwide said it had agreed to give the show the go ahead "so as to not disappoint fans."
A statement said: “So as not to disappoint the thousands of people around the world who have already purchased tickets, BBC Worldwide has agreed with our joint venture partner Brand Events that the remainder of the tour can continue.
"These events will not however feature any BBC Top Gear branding or content. We believe this is a sensible approach in the circumstances.”
Live shows due to take place in Stavanger, Norway last weekend have been rescheduled to June 20 and 21.
Meanwhile, the Festival planned for Sydney in April until July of this year will instead become an indoor arena show staged in both Melbourne on July 18 and 19 and Sydney on July 25 and 26.
Clarkson was sacked by the BBC following an infamous "fracas" with a Top Gear Producer.
BBC's director-general Tony Hall said "a line has been crossed" and that "there cannot be one rule for one and one rule for another".
As news emerged that the trio will return to the stage together, fans may wonder what the future holds for James and May - or what their backstage demands might be.
Clarkson's fellow presenters James and May have so far remain tight-lipped on whether they plan to return to the show after he was sacked.
