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ITV won’t be able to screen a Jeremy Clarkson Top Gear follow-up until 2017 because of a legal hitch.

A clause in Clarkson’s BBC contract is stopping him and fellow Top Gear hosts James May and Richard Hammond, from making a rival car show on a UK channel for two years.

It leaves a difficult choice - wait until April 2017 to front an ITV rival to Top Gear or sign with an online firm and make a show sooner.

They have been looking into doing a deal with ITV but an insider said it was proving difficult to wriggle out of the clause.

A TV source explained: “Basically they could make a show for ITV, but not one about cars. A clause stops them leaving and making a rival.

“It means Netflix or Amazon are favourites to sign up the team. There is a feeling that if they wait two years it gives Chris Evans a chance to get his new Top Gear show off and running.

"They hope to make up their minds soon. ITV have made them a great offer.”

Clarkson, May, Hammond and executive producer Andy Wilman met ITV boss Peter Fincham last month at his London home.

They discussed possibly making a show together and how to find ways of getting round the stumbling block in the BBC contract.

In June, Clarkson, 55, confirmed he was negotiating with US firms about a TV project.

(Image: PA / BBC)

He also revealed that giving up drinking at night for a few weeks had helped him negotiate with ‘Californians’, which suggested he is in discussions with US online giant Netflix.

Clarkson explained: “While I try to find a new job, I’ve reassessed my drinking strategy.

“Californians have a habit of ringing at 11pm and 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 Léoube.”

Aside from talks on TV deals, the three have a world tour to complete.

Clarkson, Hammond & May Live, formerly Top Gear Live, travels to Australia from July 18 in Perth and finishes with three nights at London’s O2 in November.

Clarkson was dropped by the BBC in March after he attacked a producer.

The BBC and ITV declined to comment on the contracts.