Jeremy Clarkson looks pleased to see wine in the mini-bar on the Australian leg of live tour... just weeks after vowing to quit booze after Charles Kennedy's death
He landed down under only a days ago, but it looks like Jeremy Clarkson has found the perfect way to kick-off his live tour of Australia.
The 55-year-old former Top Gear presenter was snapped on Friday at the rehearsals for the first leg of their tour down under in Perth, and he looked delighted to find a fridge stacked full of wine, including a bottle of his favourite type, rosé.
Grinning as he posed with a bottle of wine, his friend and co-presenter James May snapped a picture of the journalist, tweeting: 'And that's how it started...'
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Top vintage? He landed down under only a days ago, but it looks like Jeremy Clarkson has found the perfect way to kick-off rehearsals for the Clarkson, Hammond and May Live tour of Australia
However, the image comes just weeks after the car enthusiast vowed to cut down on drinking after being affected by the death of Liberal Democrat leader, Charles Kennedy.
Jeremy said he was abstaining from alcohol while he tries to find a new job, and was saving £500 a week - but admitted he won't be quitting for good, something that appears to have run its course judging by the new snap.
He explained in early June he had stopped drinking two weeks prior, adding that in the past week he had been affected by watching a new 'gut-wrenchingly sad' Amy Winehouse documentary, and the death of Mr Kennedy - who was the same age as the presenter.
Writing in his Sunday Times column, he said of Mr Kennedy: 'He was an affable soul who like what I'm sure he would have called a tincture, and a family statement says the post-mortem showed his death "was a consequence of his battle with alcoholism".'
'And this is how it ended': Perhaps showing the downside to having a mini-bar stocked full of alcohol when you're jet-lagged, Hammond tweeted a snap of his fellow presenters crashed out on the sofa
Kennedy's family revealed on June 1 that he had died of a 'major haemorrhage'.
Jeremy also said he had made the decision to stay off alcohol while he searches for new employment, explaining that he had 'reassessed' his drinking because 'Californians have a habit of ringing at 11pm, and I realised I couldn't think as straight as they do with their leaves and mineral water existence if I was halfway through my third bottle of Leoube.'
While Jeremy has kept quiet on his social media accounts since leaving for OZ, James and their third co-star Richard Hammond have shared a few snippets of their preparations for their titular tour.
Perhaps showing the downside to having a mini-bar stocked full of alcohol when you're jet-lagged, Hammond tweeted a snap of his fellow presenters crashed out on the sofa.
But showing that the trio still have the same sense of humour, despite losing the Top Gear brand name, Richard captioned the snap as a follow onto May's, quipping: 'And this how it ended... Rehearsals are going well.'
Back on the track: While Jeremy has kept quiet on his social media accounts since leaving for OZ, James May and Richard Hammond have shared a few snippets of their preparations for their titular tour
The three presenters who have now formally left the motoring show that made them famous (after Clarkson was edged out of his role for having a fracas with a producer) landed in Australia following a series of successful live shows in the UK and other locations across the world.
The tour had been plunged into doubt in March despite selling out internationally, when the founding presenter was suspended then removed from the show - before his one-off dub for a final episode.
But now, operating under a new name separate from the BBC owned title of Top Gear, the tour has been successfully implemented and the trio have landed Down Under on their playfully titled 'Cr-Ashes' tour.
Earlier in the day, the trio were seen posing for a press call in front of some souped-up super cars.
Boys on the bonnet! Former Top Gear stars Jeremy, Richard and James lounged on sleek sports cars as they posed for pictures in Perth on Thursday ahead of their tour
On good form: Charismatic Clarkson dressed in a quilted brown coat and jeans as he bantered with his sidekicks, while a crowd of eager fans looked on
Ready for the day: Jeremy teamed his look with a pair of aviator sunglasses
Jeremy looked charmingly British dressed in a quilted brown coat and jeans as he bantered with his side kicks, while a crowd of eager fans looked on.
The trio appeared to be having plenty of fun, smirking and laughing together as they gamely posed for the photo call, before stopping for selfies with fans and signing autographs.
Despite only arriving in Australia on Wednesday, Hammond looked typically cheerful, dressed in a double denim ensemble and showing off his distinctive facial hair.
Boys and their toys! Former Top Gear stars May (L) and Hammond (R) looked in good spirits despite only landing in Australia on Wednesday
Three's the magic number! The famous trio appeared to be having plenty of fun, smirking and laughing together as they gamely posed for the photo call, before stopping for selfies with fans and signing autographs
Tickled pink! Cheeky Clarkson had willing accomplices in May and Hammond as they strode along outside Perth Arena
Meanwhile, petrol head James May looked casual in a navy sweater and jeans, crossing his legs as he angled himself on the hood of a dark motor.
The TV stars will mark their first post-Top Gear appearance in the country with a 90-minute show at Perth Arena on Saturday.
Playfully dubbed 'The Cr-Ashes' in honour of the Ashes cricket series currently underway in the United Kingdom, the shows will feature a light-hearted contest between Team England and Team Australia – actor Shane Jacobson, racing driver Steve Pizzati and Motorsport host Riana Crehan.
Ready to race! The trio held court at the press call ahead of the hotly anticipated Clarkson, Hammond and May live tour
Drawing a crowd! The game star spoke to waiting press and fans who've gathered to see the group's momentous arrival
In good shape: Hammond looked typically cheerful, dressed in a double denim ensemble and showing off his distinctive facial hair
The shows will also feature an obligatory mix of stunts, set-pieces and luxury cars as the presenters build on successful run of shows across England.
Referring to the imminent to the imminent tour Hammond told the Daily Telegraph: 'There are going to be a number of competitions between us and our Australian mates, Shane, Steve and Riana.
'We're very good mates with them, so there will be this tremendous competition — although Shane Jacobson in any competition is the scariest human being because he is completely fearless.
Fan-tastic! The down-to-earth British presenters signed their autographs and posed with their eager fans
Making his mark: The 52-year-old personality grabbed a marker pen to scrawl his signature for fans
Laid back living: Petrolhead May looked casual in a navy sweater and jeans
Quite the crowd! The TV stars will mark their first post-Top Gear appearance in Australia with a 90-minute show at Perth Arena on Saturday
'Whether it's rugby or cricket or whatever, there is always that rivalry that goes on between the two nations. If we can bring some of that, it'd be great — albeit without a single English person in the audience!'
The trio will hold three shows in Perth before moving on to Sydney with a further two shows at Allphones Arena from July 25.
Tweeting ahead of their flight on Tuesday afternoon Clarkson told his 5.4 million followers: 'On the plane. See you in a bit Perth.'
Looking thrilled to be there: Clarkson tweeted to his fans he'd soon be touching down in Perth before arriving for live shows
Kicking back: The shows will also feature an obligatory mix of stunts, set-pieces and luxury cars as the presenters build on successful run of shows across England
Gearing up for a good time! The trio will hold three shows in Perth before moving on to Sydney with a further two shows at Allphones Arena from July 25
He later shared a snap of a snoozing May with the accompanying message: 'Oh no. It's dead.'
His participation in the tour comes after a controversial parting of ways with the BBC and flagship show Top Gear.
He was suspended by Tony Hall, the corporation's director general, after a 'fracas' with producer Oisin Tymon following a day of filming in March.
Hall said at the time: 'There cannot be one rule for one and one rule for another dictated by either rank, or public relations and commercial considerations.'
Following Clarkson's departure from the global smash hit show earlier this year, Hammond and May stood by him and parted from the show.
And while the trio are currently rumoured to be sought after by ITV, Netflix and Amazon Prime, it is not known what genre or format a new show will be under - if one is made at all.
BBC Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans is set to head-up a brand new Top Gear, although it is still unknown who his co-hosts will be.
New ventures: Clarkson's participation in the tour comes after a controversial parting of ways with the BBC and flagship show Top Gear
The new face of motoring? BBC Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans is set to head-up a brand new Top Gear, although it is still unknown who his co-hosts will be
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