Jeremy Clarkson says sorry to fans as ‘Top Gear’ comes to halt

The finale of Top Gear with Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May failed to break records when it bowed out with 5.8m viewers.

There had been speculation that the programme, filmed before Clarkson was axed from the show, could reach a new high for Top Gear.

May and Hammond presented from an empty studio without the usual live audience, while Clarkson was replaced by a 3m plastic replica elephant.

After the episode aired, an emotional Clarkson, who was sacked for punching a producer in a row over steak, apologised to fans for the trio’s departure from the show.

“Many, many thanks for all your support and encouragement over the years. So sad and sorry it’s ended like this,” he wrote.

But a few hours earlier he hit out at the BBC, saying: “Strange that BBC News is talking down the last Top Gear tonight. Do they not want big ratings for some reason?”

In 2007, Top Gear won its highest ever audience with 8.35m viewers, featuring UK Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton.

Unlike on Sunday night however, the 2007 figure included “consolidated” viewing, featuring live viewing and time-shift recordings but not iPlayer.

The 75-minutes of footage for the finale marked the end of an era, with Clarkson saying he “hates” working on the show.

While stuck in a muddy river, Clarkson is heard lamenting: “I hate working on Top Gear.”

In a challenge, the trio were tasked with racing across muddy farmlands to reach a black-tie event at Broughton Hall.