Jeremy Clarkson has ruled out his new Amazon TV show being called any name with the word “gear” in it, revealing that the BBC has the legal right to stop the show copycatting Top Gear.
There had been continued speculation that the show might be called Gear Knobs, despite denials by Clarkson and Amazon, or some sort of play on the name of the BBC2 motoring show.
Thanks for your suggestions. But be aware: for legal reasons, we cannot use a name with the word "gear" in it.
— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) April 8, 2016
Clarkson revealed the legal issue after fans inundated his twitter feed with ideas for names for the show after he posted a spoof video about the struggle to find a suitable title.
The video features Clarkson and ex-Top Gear co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May in a spoof brainstorming session for a name ahead of the launch of their new Amazon series in the Autumn.
Among the spoof names bandied about on the video include Hammond’s punt of Auto-mates (geddit?), Tripod, a bunch of album names punted by Clarkson and May’s keep-it-simple approach of The Clarkson, Hammond and May Car Show.