Hello CT. My name is Richard Porter and I was the script editor on Top Gear. Ask me anything.

28 Oct 2015

After working on the show for 13 years, 22 series and 175 programmes, there’s quite a lot I can tell you about Top Gear. I know whose idea it was to get a dog, I was there when we got threatened by drug barons in Bolivia, I can give you the real story of that Porsche number plate. I’ve put all these things in my new book, but you can ask me about them anyway. Or something else. Up to you. I’m here all night. Try the soup in a basket.

Comments

What happened to the cool wall ?

It went to spend more time with its family.

What special took the team the longest to plan, film, edit and then get onto TV?

Every year they seemed to take longer and longer but the Polar one was a biggie.

When you bought the cars for the specials did the guys always get the cars they wanted?

Usually. We’d decide what type of car then ask them to think of their ideal choice. Then, if that was too rare/expensive/stupid, we’d talk about it some more, and then find some likely options for sale online.

now i have to ask about the porsche number plate. what’s the story

Scroll down. Or across. Or somewhere. Answered earlier. Headline: A total coincidence.

Heading over to Amazon Prime?

Maybe.

What do you think about new Top Gear and Amazon show - will they be as cool as they were? Do you think Amazon show will be better than Top Gear?

I think there’s every chance they’ll both be good. Lots of very clever people working very hard to make them so. And they’ll be different to what’s come before. But that could be a good thing. Who knows? I’m excited. Or it could just be the cut of these trousers.