Jeremy Clarkson flooded with support as he issues emotional statement

TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson was inundated with support as he took to Instagram with an emotional video in honour of his longtime pal. The Clarkson's Farm star appeared to fight back tears as he reflected on his success on the BBC's hit motoring series Top Gear. From 2002 until 2015, the 65-year-old fronted the hilarious show alongside Richard Hammond and James May before recreating the series as The Grand Tour for Amazon Prime. Recounting the early days, Jeremy paid tribute to the producer Andy Wilman, who is lovingly dubbed by fans as "the fourth member."

Jeremy appeared to be sitting in a field against a backdrop of tall trees as he shared: "I just want to talk, if I may for a moment, about Top Gear. "It started out as a regional programme about cars and became, in quite short order, the most successful, most watched show in the world, every week, 350 million people tuned in." The star continued: "You talk to people today in their 20s and 30s who describe it as the sort of Sunday night wallpaper of their childhood, a very important show, actually, it really was."

Honouring his pal, Jeremy said: "The man responsible for it is an incredible success, a man called Andy Wilman, he was there right at the beginning when he had to pay audience members out of his own pocket a fiver to stay to the bitter end because they were so bored.

"He was there when we ended it in Zimbabwe, he was the producer, he was the editor, he had to deal with James, Richard and I.

"He had to deal with Ofcom, he had to deal with the BBC, he just ran the whole thing and then of course he was there when the frakka happened and then he had to start all over again in a broom cupboard with oen assistant and build it all up again from scratch and now of course, he's busy editing the farm show."

The TV star praised Andy as "a television genius," as he introduced the presenter's new venture and added: "I'm delighted to say that he's written a book. It's called Mr Wilman's Motoring Adventure and he explain really in it how he did it and what happened, what really happened."

Jeremy shared: "It's a fantastic book, it really is, I'm just overflowing with joy that he's put it all on paper. So here's a suggestion: after you've read my new book, The Farmer's Dog, do get this. It really is worth your while."

This post was inundated with support from Top Gear fans who praised the presenter for his work on the motoring series.

One penned: "It was three blokes doing what blokes do. We all felt like we knew you and were all a part of your circle. Thank you for the memories!!!!"

As another added: "Top Gear definitely defined my childhood, and continues to do so every time I rewatch an episode for the millionth time. You, Hammond, May, Wilman, and the whole team created a TV giant."

Strictly Come Dancing star Tom Skinner chimed: "I love you, Mr Clarkson, and I love you, Mr Wilman. You are absolute legends that made my Sunday evenings the absolute governor when I was younger. I love cars because of Top Gear. I've bought cars because of what I've seen on Top Gear. Best TV show of all time in my opinion. Bosh."

Among the hundreds of comments, Andy also responded to Jeremy's heartfelt post and added: "I do NOT deserve that much praise, (mind you, I'll take a bit of it.)You were the one responsible for making that show a success, and everyone who worked on it will say the same. That aside, we are entering the Yuletide gifting period, and the book is available in all good bookshops."