Steve Berry, a former Top Gear star, has finally revealed the truth about his strained relationship with Jeremy Clarkson. The British motoring journalist, 61, admitted they “never got along” during their time on the BBC show. In a candid interview with Al Arabiya News, Berry didn’t hold back, explaining why their clash was inevitable.
Berry recalled his first meeting with Clarkson, and it set the tone for their rocky dynamic. He arrived early, eager to impress, but Clarkson showed up two hours late. The crew was furious, and Berry immediately saw a red flag. “Make a point, don’t do that because you want the crew on your side,” he remembered thinking.
Despite their differences, Berry acknowledged Clarkson’s unique appeal. His selfish traits, oddly enough, made him a standout host. “You couldn’t act that persona for all the years that he has,” Berry admitted. Even off-camera, Clarkson’s bold personality remained unchanged.
Though they “never got along,” Berry shared a surprisingly civil moment with Clarkson at a car show. Over an open bar, Clarkson joked, “Berry, people know we don’t like each other. I’ll buy you a pint, and we’ll stand over there pretending we like each other.” The moment highlighted their mutual understanding, even if friendship was off the table.
Berry believes Top Gear struggled once Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond launched The Grand Tour. The Amazon Prime show raised the bar with epic global adventures. “You can’t just film in a car park or a kitchen,” Berry explained. Audiences now expected grand locations like Namibia’s salt flats or the North Pole. Still, Berry respected Clarkson’s timing. “They quit at exactly the right moment,” he said. Some ideas were becoming repetitive, and leaving on a high note preserved their legacy.
While Berry and Clarkson “never got along,” there was undeniable professional respect. Clarkson’s larger-than-life persona shaped Top Gear’s success, even if it caused friction behind the scenes. Now, with both men on separate paths, their rocky history remains a fascinating chapter in motoring TV history.
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