[Locke]

Yeah, I was thinking about this a bit more.

Good on BBC for buying the format and good on Clarkson for selling it, but how much value does that format have without Clarkson? I'd wager not much.

From what I understand, he comes up with the witty banter, he comes up with the crazy races and the odd tests and the specials and hes the star-power that attracts the guest-stars and sways car companies into allowing Top Gear to use their vehicles.

Hes the straw that stirs the drink, even if Top Gear continued with May, Hammond and some Schlump it would just go the way of Top Gear US, it would fizzle and die.

So while he got some money out of the BBC for his format it doesnt really matter, if hes gone the format is essentially worthless and he can come up with something similar but sufficiently different elsewhere.

Either way, if he ever starts another motoring show anywhere else hes going to get sued to hell and back but he'll probably win and it'll likely be worth it either way.