Fuelling Around podcast: Richard Porter on writing Top Gear for Clarkson, Hammond and May

Former Top Gear and The Grand Tour script writer Richard Porter is the latest star on the award-winning podcast Fuelling Around with hosts Jason Plato and Dave Vitty.

Porter, who worked on two of the biggest automotive television shows of all time, Top Gear and The Grand Tour, alongside Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, discusses what it was like working with the trio, his career highlights and how he got started as a TV script writer.

Porter worked behind the scenes on both the popular flagship BBC show and Amazon Prime’s The Grand Tour, writing the jokes and memorable catchphrases that have made the shows international hits even after his departure.

Richard Porter reveals hilarious tales from Top Gear filming

During the podcast, Porter takes Plato and Vitty down memory lane to reveal funny anecdotes with Clarkson, Hammond and May, discusses what really happened with the infamous Argentina number plate that saw Top Gear hit the headlines for the wrong reasons, and remembers the time he was put in front of the camera.

Porter also details how, having created a parody car website while he was unemployed, he was stumbled upon by Clarkson who asked to speak with him. He also spoke about how, in a meeting at a dinner event, Clarkson revealed they were getting the “band back together” after previously working on the “old format” of Top Gear together before the modern version started in 2002.

Since leaving Amazon’s The Grand Tour, Porter has gone on to present his own motoring podcast Sniff and Smith with Fifth Gear presenter Jonny Smith, has his own YouTube channel and is a regular in front of the camera on ITV4’s The Car Years, which has been proudly sponsored by Adrian Flux.