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

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.

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.

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Comments

Anonymous

Sometimes when shooting projects (I’m a film student) inevitably some variable on set changes and you have to deviate from the plan. On some rare occasions, the result is even better than what was scripted. If there were any, what was your favorite happy accident on Top Gear?

10/28/2015 - 20:13 |
4 | 0
Richard Porter

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Ooh, probably too many to mention. If you imagine the feeling of fear and yet excitement when that happens, that was what making Top Gear was often like. Our planned bits weren’t always our finest moments, it was the accidents that made it. Sometimes.

10/28/2015 - 20:20 |
9 | 0
Anonymous

Did you ever get to drive the top gear track ?

10/28/2015 - 20:13 |
3 | 0
Richard Porter

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Yes I did. Watch out for the hump going into turn 1.

10/28/2015 - 20:19 |
8 | 0
Xanathador

I see there are a lot of questions now about the stig, and obviously you can’t tell us who he is

But let me ask this: have you seen anyone correctly guess who he is?

10/28/2015 - 20:13 |
1 | 0

That’s a yes/no, just to make it clear ^^

10/28/2015 - 20:14 |
0 | 0

Nnnnnnnnnnnnnnno

10/28/2015 - 20:19 |
2 | 0
Hershel

Who is the stig?

10/28/2015 - 20:14 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Why did the news section disappear from the show?

10/28/2015 - 20:15 |
0 | 0
Richard Porter

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

I don’t think it did, did it? We binned it from the show with the Aussie road trip for time reasons. Otherwise, still there to the end. Do you watch The Day Today? When we literally lost a news item, we used to shout, ‘YOU’VE LOST THE NEWS’ like they did on that show. Oh, the times we had.

10/28/2015 - 20:18 |
5 | 0
ADiBHN

Thoughts about Dacia Sandero?
Does May really like this car?

10/28/2015 - 20:15 |
13 | 0
Richard Porter

In reply to by ADiBHN

Oh yes. Very much so. Me too.

10/28/2015 - 20:17 |
32 | 0
2wheelsor4

Which is your favourite topgear special?

10/28/2015 - 20:15 |
4 | 0

I really liked Botswana and Bolivia. I liked that the cars had character. It’s why I didn’t much like Vietnam. And India, but that was for other reasons.

10/28/2015 - 20:17 |
5 | 0
Anonymous

Was Chris Goodwin the last Stig?

10/28/2015 - 20:15 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

What do you think of this? It was built from scratch by me.

10/28/2015 - 20:16 |
24 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

omg, Baicoi =))

10/28/2015 - 20:59 |
0 | 0
Enz0

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Actually that’s interesting. What engine does it have?
Dacia or a tractor one?

10/29/2015 - 17:29 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

If you were trapped on an island and had only a mermaid as a company, top or bottom half fish?

10/28/2015 - 20:17 |
0 | 1