Before 2002, Top Gear was dreary, dull and as boring as a post office on Friday afternoon. But 13 years ago, these two got together and turned Top Gear around with the all-new format we all know and love. Except for the people offended by JC, that is. We know that Jezza is a pivot element for Top Gear, but what exactly did Andy Wilman bring new to the show's table?To make a long story short, the 52-year-old Brit is responsible for creating The Stig and the show's style and humor. Working long hours at Jeremy's side, Andy refined the Top Gear formula to what it is today: an award-winning show watched by hundreds of millions around the world. It's kind of sad theput an end to this 13-year-long jaunt.With Jeremy Clarkson officially out of the BBC and a high probability that May and Hammond will follow suit, what's going to happen to Andy? Well, he quit through an email forwarded to his former BBC colleagues with the subject "Au revoir". Curious about what Andy told his former comrades via email?Andy also mentions that we shouldn't worry becausewithout them. Before you read the entire email in the release below, we'd like to mention this on an ending note:

H/T to NASIOC forum member WRX300 for the leaked email and the image.

UPDATE: According to The Sunday Times, Jeremy Clarkson feels hopeful about the future: "I think the concept of commercial-free broadcasting is a good one and — whisper it here — I think it’s good value too.”



UPDATE 2: Andy Wilman released a statement according to which he’s staying with the BBC. However, it’s not known if Andy Wilman will produce the future format of BBC Top Gear UK. Without further ado:



"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 tit, because they shared it with a website. I don't get this modern obsession with sharing, linking, forwarding, re-tweeting; whatever happened to a private moment?"



"And if I were to resign, I wouldn't do it publicly, I'd do it old school by handing in my, er, 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."



UPDATE 3: James and Richard allegedly declined to renew their BBC contracts.

Top Gear Live is dead, long live