Top Gear draws the crowds at Instow beach
Crowds gathered at Instow Beach this morning to watch Top Gear being filmed.
Presenter Jeremy Clarkson flew into North Devon this morning and was working with the Royal Marines for the filming.
Clarkson was road testing the new Ford Fiesta — looking at what the car wants to be when it grows up.
He was being filmed driving the lime green car off a military landing craft on the estuary and taking it for a spin around the beach.
The video clips above and below were sent in by Dan Harvey.
More than 30 Royal Marines, including some from Instow and others from 40 Commando, based at Taunton, and Plymouth's 539 Assault Squadron, are likely to feature on the show.
The Marines were doing exercises carrying guns and landing helicopters on the beach.
Cpl Darren Cobb from 11 Training Squad kitted Jeremy up, went through the briefing with him and also got him covered in water during the filming.
He said: "I'm a Top Gear fan — who isn't? Even people that don't like cars love the show, so it was good to meet him.
"He is the kind of person that everyone wants to meet because he seems so down to earth and being out on the boat with him I found he was exactly how you see him on the TV.
"We were just talking about everyday stuff. I asked him if it was a pain to be asked for his autograph all the time and he said it was annoying.
"It has been raining and cold, but an enjoyable day and in the Marines we say if it ain't raining, it ain't training."
The filming was organised by Instow major John Lugg after Royal Marines from Poole came up with the idea and contacted Top Gear, who agreed to it.
A spokesman for the Marines said: "Instow was the best place to do it because the expertise is here, it has the right conditions and the space.
"There is a film crew of 12 here, including Jeremy Clarkson and this has been in preparation for a couple of months."
Crowds old and young braved the weather to try and get a glimpse of Jeremy.
Friends Jake Slee, 19, Matt Hitchins, 20, and Naomi Hanson, 18, had come over from Barnstaple to see the action.
Matt said: "We're big fans of the show. I think it is about time they came to North Devon."
The programme will be the penultimate episode in the current series which airs on Sunday evenings at 8pm on BBC 2.
9 Comments
by Steve, Woolacombe
Tuesday, November 25 2008, 8:49AM
“Who wants to see boring every day cars - if you want that Russell, go and watch that dull as ditch water program, 5th Gear.”
by carla, bideford
Saturday, November 22 2008, 7:19PM
“It was good to see Jeremy Clarkson at Instow who was very nice and had time for the public, just like his fellow presenter James May who we met while staying at a caravan park in plymouth where he was being filmed staying in a caravan with Oz Clark in the summer.”
by Kat, North devon
Friday, November 21 2008, 7:18PM
“I saw it all, it was wicked. Hes exactly like he is on tv. My 3 year old brother loved the helicopters! x”
by Dave at the Winchester, Stoke Rivers
Friday, November 21 2008, 4:40PM
“With all the dog muck on the beach that people are always going on about, it's a wonder Clarkson's Ford Fiesta didn't lose traction.”
by Aimee Kerr, Barnstaple
Friday, November 21 2008, 3:58PM
“Top Gear is one of the car shows around and i have never heard or seen them filming in Devon. I am Very sad and annoyed that i missed it :(”
by Russell, Torquay
Friday, November 21 2008, 3:31PM
“I am just saying that show whilst having a huge following, should show more "normal" everyday cars rather than just super cars and gimicky escapades like testing a car on a beach. when will you take a Fiesta on a beach. Let's hope they don't hit any quick sand or the Fiesta will grind to a halt!”
by Rich, bideford
Friday, November 21 2008, 3:17PM
“Russell Davies, get over it! it's called entertainment!
Top Gear has had to evolve from bog standard 'good old car reviews' (when the programme had a small audience), to a show with a much broader appeal, and one which now has a huge following.
Im just disapointed to learn that I missed it.”
by Russell Davies, Torquay
Friday, November 21 2008, 2:43PM
“Do we really need more than 30 royal marines to demonstate a Ford Fiesta. I think Top Gear need to focus more on good old car reviews instead of flashy escipades which don't provide the info we need as consumers on buying these cars. Maybe I could understand if this was an Aston, but not a Fiesta!”
by Dave, Ilfracombe
Friday, November 21 2008, 2:27PM
“Of course this isn't the first time Top Gear have visited north Devon. James May went to Lynton and Exmoor in a new Jaguar XF towards the end of last year.”