Apologies if this has been done in the ‘Clarkson Suspended’ thread but at 30+ pages it’s got a bit unwieldy and cluttered now.
We’ve yet to find out if James May and Richard Hammond will be staying for 2016 but if JC decided to take a bit of time off TV they would be well placed to negotiate more lucrative packages even short term to aid a transition to new presenters. In the past they’ve been reported to have grumbled that JC was paid far more.
In the absence of JC I would also expect the BBC to pay for top scripters.
Here are a few potential replacement presenters that spring to my mind:
Suzi Perry, reportedly turned down the opportunity to be part of the team back when the modern format started. She has quite a following but I haven’t seen enough of her work myself to judge.
Vicki Butler-Henderson. I found her quite watchable on old Top Gear and I believe she’s known to Richard and James. I wasn’t drawn enough to ever watch much of Fifth Gear though.
Sabine Schmitz. Well known to the team, plenty of experience on German TV. Writers could make much of the male-female and Anglo-German rivalry.
Tiff Needell. Known to the team and has guested but is he a big enough character to fill the gap?
Steve Parrish. Truck racer and former motorcycle racer and with a history of elaborate practical jokes and laddish behaviour. Maybe a bit of an outsider but could fit the role?
PS. Top Gear haters, this thread is not for you so please don’t clutter it with your negativity