Ghost of a flea

The show looked 'f***ing old-fashioned' next to new formats such as Changing Rooms, says Wilman now, and after it was finally axed in 2001, he and Clarkson got together over a pub lunch to draw up a manifesto for a brand new Top Gear.

First, it would have a news section so 'important but boring' cars could be dispensed with quickly. Second, it would be filmed before an audience in an old aircraft hangar that would become 'an oasis for people who like cars'.

Third, they would have an all-male line-up. Fourth, and perhaps most importantly, 'it would always be an unfair show,' says Wilman.

'The BBC would say: "You should get Professor Suchabody on, talking about the environment,' and we would go: "F*** off."

CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 2 - was released Tuesday and in the first 24 hours it made $310 million. ‘The Dark Knight’ holds every Hollywood speed record, and it took that 10 days to reach 300.