Top Gear Season 22: Executive Producer Andy Wilman Denies Quitting Despite Leaked Emails

Top Gear producer Andy Wilman has denied reports of quitting the show after host Jeremy Clarkson's contract was dropped last week.

The producer had sent a congratulatory note to his team yesterday appreciating their efforts to help make "one of the most iconic programmes in TV history."

This e-mail was then leaked to the press raising doubts that Wilman was quitting the show for good.

While speaking to the media, Wilman said, "The email I wrote yesterday was not a resignation statement, and nor was it meant for public consumption. It was a private note of thanks to 113 people who have worked on the show over the years, but clearly one of those 113 is a bit of a t**, because they shared it with a website."

"I don't get this modern obsession with sharing, linking, forwarding, retweeting. Whatever happened to a private moment?

Wilman added, "And if I were to resign, I wouldn't do it publicly. I'd do it old school by handing in my notice, to someone upstairs in HR. I work behind the camera and I wouldn't presume for one moment to think people are interested in what I do. Now, everyone back to work."

A spokesperson for the BBC said, "Andy's email was intended as a heartfelt message to people who had worked with him and Jeremy, to recognise the fact that with Jeremy leaving it was the end of an era.

"It was not a farewell but a thank you to people who have been important to the show over the last 12 years. It was bringing down the curtain on the Clarkson era, not announcing his own departure."

Wilman and Clarkson have been friends for a long time, right from their time at school.

It remains to be seen how BBC will make the next season of Top Gear since the shows other two hosts, James May and Richard Hammond's contract also expires today.