Top Gear in its present format is a world wide hit because of (not despite) the three presenters and the different characters they have created. It is not real life just three petrolheads having fun and being entertaining. Graham Norton and Alan Carr are merely annoying little ticks, I them turn off.

Top Gear used to be about cars people could afford and sensible tests of them were made. When Tiff Nidell (not sure about the surname)set up his own show on Channel 4 which continued to cover motorsport and affordable cars it sunk quite quickly. People got bored with it in a few seasons. People don't get bored with Top Gear. It is sold all over the World. The American version is not anywhere near as funny (we get both in New Zealand)or as entertaining.
The Beeb will have to stop the show completely - and maybe it has had its day now - or reinstate Clarkson if he just got uppity but didn't actually hit someone. If he did bash a producer the Police should have been called at the time. End of.