The BBC2 automotive flagship presented by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May was relaunched just after the turn of the century - and I was one of the team. I've loved the show since I was a kid and it was literally a dream come true to be offered the opportunity to work on it. I was so in awe of actually working with my hero - Clarkson - it made me behave like a blithering idiot initially but it was still great. A fantastic experience.

Personally, my biggest claim to fame was my fastest lap. The Star In A Reasonably Priced Car lap record stands at 1minute 46 seconds set by chef Gordon Ramsey - he's the sort of bloke you want to be best friends with and then arm wrestle.  My claim to fame is I did 1 minute 17 seconds admittedly in a very quick Radical track car - and it was a flying lap, unofficially and it has to be said, unwittingly, timed by Assistant Producer James Wiseman.

Ahh, the memories. Except I can’t remember much about it as we were so tired all the time. I do remember it was great fun, it was always dark when I left home and dark by the time I got back. I also remember Richard Hammond has permanent road rage and makes me laugh - very glad you're still with us Hamster by the way.  Jeremy has a unique, brilliant mind and the producer Andy Wilman swears more than anyone I have ever met. Andy is also a quiet genius to Jeremy's vociferous version.

More great ideas sweep by on this show every week than the rest of the BBC combined and it's probably why they are hated by one or two envious people internally at the BBC.  

But it’s strange isn’t it? It's impossible to resist. There is something in the show’s DNA which you can’t help but love. It feels rebellious, questioning, disrespectful and chummy all at the same time like an adopted  family.  

Top Gear is the most-watched car show in the world. It has even won an Emmy in the US. Not that anyone at the BBC seemed to notice. But let’s give them the benefit of the doubt and assume all eyes are on domestic delivery of the BBC Charter and international recognition is not worth a light.  

To watch video click here.

Thanks to Top Gear and BBC Productions for the pictures.