The Jeremy Clarkson era of "Top Gear" has ended. The host made his final appearance on the BBC Two show in a 75-minute special that aired on Sunday night.
"Many many thanks for all your support and encouragement over the years," he tweeted after the show ended. "So sad and sorry it's ended like this."
Clarkson hosted the British auto show since its relaunch in 2002. The BBC suspended the 55-year-old car enthusiast on March 10 after he reportedly threw a punch at "Top Gear" producer Oisin Tymon. The network then announced on March 25 that it would not renew his contract, set to expire at the end of that month.
The final episode for Clarkson included footage from two segments shot by the host and his co-stars James May and Richard Hammond before the incident. May and Hammond filmed studio intros but without the tradition audience in place. They also chose not to return to the show after Clarkson's firing.
"Can't believe that one life has room to accommodate the first and last steps of that incredible adventure. Thanks for your company," Hammond tweeted after the episode ran.
The special will reportedly become the highest-rated episode in "Top Gear" history, according to the BBC. The record is now 8.5 million viewers when Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton made a guest appearance in December 2007.
Executive producer Andy Wilman told The Guardian that the completion of the final episode, "very sad, absolutely awful to make" as it was "never designed to carry this burden of being the last thing you'll ever see from us on 'Top Gear.'"
Wilman added, "What's quite poignant for me is they are not the most ambitious films we have ever done but by accident they happen to be very strong on camaraderie."
Chris Evans will succeed Clarkson as host of "Top Gear" and has launched an open audition for new talent to replace May and Hammond as well as add a possible co-host. The show will relaunch next year.
