Clarkson to be given free reign if he signs with Netflix

Top Gear presenters Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson and James May

Clare Cullen

Netflix, one of the parties interested in signing Jeremy Clarkson following the ending of his relationship with the BBC, are being reported to have offered him "full control" over any show he creates with them.

Clarkson, who fronted the £68m-earning show Top Gear on BBC until a self-reported "fracas" with a producer, is currently being courted by several large stations to front new shows.

Netflix are reported to be very interested in the presenter, with some reports suggesting that they are prepared to offer the presenter "full control" over anything he creates with the network. This would mean that Clarkson would given 'free reign' to front a motoring show on the streaming service.

Clarkson is no stranger to controversy, hitting the headlines regularly despite the BBC's regulations and warnings. Netflix is not funded by advertisers and are reported to be less concerned than the BBC over Clarkson's antics.

James May yesterday refused to deny that he and Richard Hammond would also be leaving the hugely popular BBC show, saying "it would take a lot of careful thought. The three of us, as a package, it works".