The TV presenters have revealed their intentions to stick by their sacked colleague after Clarkson’s BBC contract was not renewed following allegations that he punched a producer.

According to The Mirror newspaper, a “groundbreaking and incredibly lucrative” Netflix deal for the popular trio is in the pipeline.

“Flattering though it is to be offered huge sums there’ll be no going back,” a source told the newspaper. “It wouldn’t feel right and their heart wouldn’t be in it. They’ve always said they come as a team and that hasn’t changed. They are all very excited at the prospect of having total editorial control over their new show, to make it and get it distributed. They would stand to earn much, more more than they would with the BBC.”

Final Top Gear scenes filmed before Clarkson was ousted are expected to air soon, and no negotiations with Netflix have yet been finalised.