The future of The Grand Tour is up in the air as Jeremy Clarkson (centre) has reportedly been axed (Picture: Rex Features)
James May is celebrating his milestone 60th birthday today, but it’s no doubt been a little mired by reports that his co-star Jeremy Clarkson has been axed from their programme, The Grand Tour.
The TV presenter was bombarded with celebratory messages as he marked his birthday on Monday.
All the kind messages didn’t go unnoticed either, as May posted a tweet acknowledging all the well wishes.
He tweeted earlier: ‘Thank you for all your birthday wishes/crap jokes/sod offs. It is very comforting at this difficult time.’
It came just hours before reports claimed Amazon Prime Video has cut ties with Clarkson, 62, following his controversial column with The Sun last month, in which he wrote vitriol about Meghan Markle.
In the article, Clarkson said he ‘hated’ the Duchess of Sussex on a ‘cellular level’ and ‘dreamt’ of her being ‘paraded’ through towns in the UK and having ‘excrement’ thrown at her.
According to Variety, Amazon won’t be working with the TV personality beyond seasons of The Grand Tour and Clarkson’s Farm that have already been commissioned. This means that the Top Gear star won’t be appearing in any new shows on Prime Video beyond 2024.
Clarkson launched Clarkson’s Farm to great acclaim, as the docu-series followed his efforts to run a 1,000-acre farm in the Cotswolds. Season two of the hit series is believed to air on February 10, with series one available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
James May celebrates his 60th birthday today (Picture: Getty Images)
Clarkson issued an apology for his scathing column about Meghan Markle (Picture: PA)
Meghan and Prince Harry reportedly received an email with an apology from Clarkson on Christmas Day (Picture: Getty Images)
It’s unclear what Clarkson’s departure would mean for May and their co-host Richard Hammond.
News of Amazon’s decision came as Clarkson shared a statement on social media to confirm he has apologised to Meghan and Prince Harry.
He wrote via Instagram: ‘The Sun quickly apologised and I tried to explain myself. But still, there were calls for me to be sacked and charged with a hate crime…
He continued: ‘I therefore wrote to everyone who works with me saying how sorry I was and then on Christmas morning, I E-mailed Harry and Meghan in California to apologise to them too.
‘I said I was baffled by what they had been saying on TV but that the language I’d used in my column was disgraceful and that I was profoundly sorry.’
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
The TV presenter celebrated his milestone birthday on Monday.
