Jeremy Clarkson CAN get round BBC ban by making new show with US company

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Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond expect to unveil rival show
But BBC threatened to scupper project with 'non-compete' contract clause
It emerged today that lawyers have found a way around the legal issue
Show could be made by a US production company then sold the ITV

By Richard Spillett and Ollie Gillman For Mailonline

Published: 03:23 EST, 12 July 2015 | Updated: 05:50 EST, 12 July 2015

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Jeremy Clarkson could get around a BBC attempt to stop him making a new Top Gear-style show by making it with an American production company.

It is understood Clarkson and his co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May had been blocked from working for a rival British broadcaster for two years by a clause in their BBC contracts.

But it emerged today that the trio could get around the ban by making any new show with a US firm, which would then sell the programme worldwide, including to British channels such as ITV.

Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May's hopes of making a new motoring show appeared to have hit a legal obstacle when it emerged a clause in their BBC contracts banned them from working for a rival

But the trio, pictured in the last episode of the show, are believed to have worked out how to get around the ban

Top Gear fans have been desperate to find out when Clarkson will return to their TV screens since he was sacked by the BBC over his infamous 'fracas' with producer Oisin Tymon.

The BBC have announced that Chris Evans will front the next series of Top Gear, which will undergo a major revamp, in an effort to continue the lucrative foreign revenue stream for the corporation.

Clarkson, along with May and Hammond, is widely-expected to unveil a new project to compete the BBC show.

He hinted at such when Evans was given the job, saying: 'I hope Chris enjoys running what, for the next couple of weeks, is the world's biggest car show'.

The Sunday Mirror reported today that, despite the BBC's 'non-compete' clause, the three presenters' lawyers believed any new programme will be able to be shown on online service Netflix and, if an overseas production company is used, UK terrestrial channels.

A source told the paper: 'Jeremy believes they'll successfully get around the issues despite the BBC making desperate attempts to stop him'.

Chris Evans is now the presenter of Top Gear after Clarkson was sacked over a 'fracas' with a producer

The three presenters who used to present the show are believed to be working on a rival programme

An online exchange between Clarkson and May last month led to speculation the pair, along with Hammond, could already have started work on their new project.

'A bit warm in London today. I'm going to give Norway a shot,' May wrote on Twitter, with Clarkson responding: 'Mind if I tag along?'.

The last episode of Top Gear, which featured two previously unbroadcast films was watched by 5.8million people, with many more tuning in later on BBC iPlayer.

'WE'LL TAKE OVER TOP GEAR': WANNABE PRESENTERS' HILARIOUS VIDEOS

When Chris Evans was announced as the new Top Gear host, he revealed that anyone with a passion for cars was welcome to apply to join him as a presenter on the show.

But he may well be living to regret that now, with dozens of bizarre audition videos posted on YouTube by motoring enthusiasts across Britain.

While some applicants seem to genuinely want the job, others seem to be taking the process less seriously - with one woman saying she would be better than Jeremy Clarkson because she wouldn't 'punch people in the face', while another petrolhead professes his love for urinating on cars.

Scores of the auditions have also found their way onto YouTube - and some are better than others.

Members of the public have been making audition videos to join Chris Evans and posting them online

Top Gear Auditions: Check out big Carl's audition video

One man who wants to fill Hammond or May's shoes is Alex Manners, who appears in his video wearing a green blazer, polka dot shirt and yellow chinos.

Mr Manners claims Evans will not find anyone 'funner, quirkier or more colourful' than he is. The latter may well be true.

He does appear to have knowledge of cars, however, boasting of his two Triumph Heralds, which are painted pink and orange respectively.

Finishing with a flourish, Mr Manners points at the camera and twirls, adding: 'Chris, I'll see you on the show soon.'

Other hilarious videos include one from a man called Carl, who says he loves boats and urinating on cars.

The BBC asked for 30-second videos to be sent in, but Carl throws this rule out of the window, spending the first 21 seconds turning slowly towards the camera with a strange expression on his face.

Top Gear Auditions: The eccentric and colourful Alex Manners