BBC Building in London (IR Stone/Bigstock.com)

A lesser show may have found itself 'out to grass' if it had committed even one gaffe comparable to those of the Top Gear team in recent years.

But the hit BBC show is simply too popular – and too lucrative – to be retired, even if the trio of presenters are not far off their pastoral years.

Rumour has it that Clarkson, May and Hammond will soon be signing new three-year deals with the BBC, as current contracts approach conclusion.

While Clarkson has been maligned for one or two risky comments in the past (to say the least), it was the entire show that bore the brunt of the Patagonia Special debacle. The now-infamous number plate H982 FKL was taken as a Falklands War reference by a number of Argentinians. The resulting mob chased Clarkson and Co all the way back to Chile.

But perhaps the millions who tune into the show secretly wish for such dramas. It makes great television, whatever we think of the Top Gear Three.

And the BBC top brass refuse to let go of this golden egg: BBC director-general Tony Hall will not be cancelling the hit show.

In an interview with the Radio Times, Hall said: “It’s a programme loads of people love and it’s important the BBC doesn’t have just one voice.”

With reports that Clarkson's last contract deal was worth £1m (plus a seven figure sum from BBC's Worldwide arm), there's little doubt that the team is well remunerated for the stick they sometimes get (and dole out). One wonders is finding a willing breakdown cover provider is equally expensive for the production team. Quite possibly.

Do you believe Top Gear should be cancelled? Or is it too entertaining to say goodbye to?