Interesting reading from BBC News about the
history of Top Gear. It certainly seems that controversy is nothing new. A glimpse of mortality might force them to tone it down a bit, but I doubt it would be axed. It is a very highly rated programme, after all, and apparently the spin-off magazine "Top Gear" is the biggest selling Motoring magazine in Britain. All in all, it's no doubt a lucrative franchise.
The BBC and the Health and Safety Executive will investigate the crash, and it is likely the programme - and its stunts in particular - will come under close scrutiny.
The broadcaster could not say on Wednesday whether plans for the new season would be affected by the accident.
"The new series is scheduled for October, but given the circumstances it is too early to confirm transmission dates," said a BBC spokeswoman.
"I don't think it's time for navel-gazing and looking at the future now," says Mr Harvey. "The only reaction is to be incredibly concerned for Richard."
"But up until this time yesterday, the future for Top Gear was incredibly rosy. I don't see any reason why it should have changed."
cheers
RET
