LOCAL Top Gear fans got to see the places they recognised on their much-loved show when they came to film in Dorset.
Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond blew up a car driving the wrong way down the Upton bypass in October 2012.
The two visited a number of locations in the area, including One Stop in Barrack Road, Christchurch, where they picked up a picnic lunch, and Club Grand Bingo in Poole Road, Westbourne.
The pair made a brief stop in the Milburn Road Car Park to eat lunch, where they told the Daily Echo how much they were enjoying their visit.
Hammond said: “It’s a lovely day, and not raining, which is very nice.”
Clarkson, who lives in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, was unable to explain the mysterious absence of colleague James May.
“He’s dead,” he said when questioned. “No, I’m joking. We sent him out for lunch hours ago. I don’t know where he is.”
The two also joked that May was unhappy about coming to the south coast for filming.
“His exact words were that he hates the south coast, and he hates everyone who lives there,” said Clarkson.
Hammond added: “It’s a personal thing. He hates all of these people individually.”
But the two said they disagreed with May’s alleged views.
“Everyone we’ve met has been really nice and friendly,” Hammond said.
The pair were driving a modified Fiat Multipla, pictured, which featured a huge over-sized bumper at the front, and a litter tray with a toy cat in on the roof.
Later, the cat was replaced with a small wooden cross.
Top Gear fan John Everingham, who lives in The Grange Care Home in Poole, was overwhelmed to meet Clarkson.
“I can’t believe it – it’s a dream come true,” he said.
“It’s something to cross off the bucket list. He was exactly like he is on TV.”
Simon Bartlam, who owns the Westbourne bingo hall, said: “Jeremy got very into the game.
“We’ve had lots of people outside waiting to see them, and they were very nice.”
After filming was over, Jeremy Clarkson tweeted:
Just had one of the loveliest Top Gear filming days ever. I'm feeling all warm fuzzy about what we've done.
The next day he tweeted: "People of Bournemouth, for what we are about to do, forgive us." before setting off to the Upton bypass.
The episode was broadcast on February 24, 2013.
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