Top Gear TV's final 3 episodes filmed with the complete trio of presenters, Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond, are scheduled to be aired before the end of the year.
BBC2 controller Kim Shillingshaw confirmed the broadcast of the episodes that were shelved and abruptly ended Season 22 following the suspension of Clarkson over a physical assault incident with the show's producer.
Shillingshaw said the episodes will be re-edited editions of Top Gear with unseen footage although not enough material for three full one-hour episodes were filmed. The episodes will be aired on BBC2 as early as the summer or before the end of the year.
"There is no way I would not want the available material not to be seen by viewers," the BBC2 official added.
Shillingshaw, in charge of finding Clarkson's replacement, also confirmed that she is looking at the possibility of having women presenters on the new season of Top Gear, but would not comment on the status of May and Hammond.
Clarkson was seen at a cafe with his rumored replacement, car enthusiast and model Jodie Kidd, fueling more speculations about the team for the new season of the show.
The Top Gear presenters sans Clarkson were seen at the BBC headquarters recently and although neither they nor the BBC made any statement about their visit, speculations heightened about a Top Gear show with just May and Hammond returning. However both May and Hammond along with the show's long-time executive producer Andy Wilman, have all categorically stated they will not return to Top Gear without Clarkson.
Shillingshaw however confirmed on-going talks with May and Hammond about various projects with the BBC which may include their return to Top Gear.
BBC Worldwide's CEO Tim Davie meantime says that he remains "confident about the future of Top Gear" even without the trio of presenters. The flagship motoring show of the BBC has become the network's most valuable asset since its reinvention in 2002, bringing in cash revenues for the corporation.
Top Gear TV is a fast-paced and stunt-filled motor show that tests whether cars live up to manufacturers' claims with its hosts traveling around the world performing challenges to assess the cars' features.
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