Top Gear: Former executive producer Andy Wilman 'very sad' to film final scenes with Clarkson, Hammond and May

The former Top Gear boss said filming the final session with Jeremy Clarkson was done 'without tears or tantrums'

Even Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson and James May can't quite believe James Blunt was the highest-rating guest, but he was definitely one of the funniest (PA)

Former Top Gear executive producer Andy Wilman has admitted to being “very sad” about filming the final scenes of the show with Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond.

Wilman, who helped relaunch the series in 2002 but quit the flagship BBC2 programme in the wake of Clarkson’s departure, said filming the final scenes at Dunsfold Aerodrome in Surrey was a sad moment.

He told Radio Times magazine: “The final session without Jeremy was very poignant.

"We've had a lot of fun in that studio, but we had a job to do and we got it done, professionally, and without tears or tantrums."

Viewers will see Clarkson, May and Hammond behind the wheel of classic cars and beaten-up 4x4s in their final challenges as a trio screened on BBC2 later this month, before Top Gear returns with new host Chris Evans.

Wilman’s comments come after Clarkson claimed he was offered a return to the show, days after his former job was given to Evans.

Evans responded with a quip on his Radio 2 breakfast show, saying: ”Well, as to whether Jeremy was offered his old job back or not, either outside or inside his own head he still said no to the voices.“

A BBC spokesman said: ”We haven't offered (Clarkson) another Top Gear contract and the BBC had placed on record its thanks to Jeremy for his broadcasting on the programme and wish him well for the future.“

May has since been unveiled as the co-host of new BBC show Building Cars Live.

Read more: BBC denies Jeremy Clarkson was asked back to host Top Gear