Top Gear mania hits Boro (From The Northern Echo)

Top Gear mania hits Boro

8:10am Monday 23rd November 2009 in

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MORE used to escaping the gridlock in high-powered cars, Top Gear trio Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May caused a jam when they motored into the North-East at the weekend.

The BBC TV personalities were mobbed by thousands of fans as they filmed part of their new series at the mima art gallery, in Middlesbrough’s Centre Square.

Clarkson also made a surprise visit to a wedding taking place at the register office next door, meeting bride and groom Christina and Robert Richardson, and their guests.

The event was shrouded in secrecy until the end of last week when 7,000 tickets were offered up for grabs for the Top Gear exhibition – a celebration of all things motoring in artistic form.

The tickets were snapped up within 24 hours and, despite the rain, fans queued around the block for the chance to see the displays, which included paintings, sculptures, full-scale vehicles and video walls.

Among the more unusual exhibits was a car breaking through the gallery floor and a speed camera constantly clocking up fines for the duration of its stay.

Motormouth Clarkson entertained the throng outside on the green with an impromptu public performance on Saturday, while Hammond and May were spotted wandering the gallery.

Clarkson chatted to fans and told visitor Stephen Howard that he had enjoyed his trip to Middlesbrough.

Mr Howard, from Northallerton, North Yorkshire, said: “I went down to mima before going to the Boro match and there was Jeremy Clarkson just stood outside filming.

“He said his impression of Middlesbrough had gone up a million per cent and he hadn’t realised how many famous people had come from here, such as Chris Rea and Roy Chubby Brown – it’s almost like Yorkshire, he said.

“He said that the people here were great and he ate one of the best curries of his life at Akbar’s, in Middlesbrough, on Friday night.”

Mr Howard praised the artwork display, which is on show until this weekend.

He said: “You have got to see the F1 car under UV lighting, it’s awesome.”

Clarkson, Hammond and May later put in an appearance at the Riverside Stadium, walking out at half-time in Middlesbrough’s game with Nottingham Forest wearing Newcastle United shirts.

After hearing boos from the home fans, they made a quick change into the red and white of Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough’s deputy mayor, Councillor Dave Budd, who attended the Top Gear show on Saturday, said: “Despite the poor weather, it was fantastic to see thousands of people flocking to mima to see this unique show. The gallery was full all day.

“The presence of the three presenters added to the excitement and many of those attending had a rare chance to meet and talk to them.

“Their visit to the Riverside Stadium at half time was another highlight.

“This is a one-off event many people will be talking about for a long time to come – I’m looking forward to seeing the footage when it appears on Top Gear.”

The Middlesbrough trip will be aired during the current series of Top Gear, which is on BBC2 at 9pm on Sundays.