It had all the ingredients of another crazy Top Gear stunt that would cause chaos.
Fans of the BBC’s hit motoring show viewed last week’s programme with disbelief as gusts of air created by a home-made hovercraft left a trail of havoc on the River Avon.
A rowing boat capsized and diners at a riverside restaurant shook their fists in anger as Jeremy Clarkson and Co sped along giggling in the makeshift vessel.
Clarkson and co: Top Gear presenters Jeremy, James May and Richard Hammond cruising down the River Avon
But it has now emerged that the scenes of mayhem near Bidford- on-Avon in Warwickshire were carefully choreographed – and that professional actors were hired to play the startled diners.
Michael Bott, a 58-year-old actor who has appeared in TV shows including The Bill, has revealed in an online blog on his website how he was booked to play one of the diners.
Mr Bott, along with other actors, was directed to appear to be enjoying lunch by the river as Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond thundered past in a customised Ford Transit van that drenched them with water and caused their tables to overturn.
Making a splash: The 'hovervan' bombing down the Avon
The diners were then shown leaping to their feet in apparent fury.
Mr Bott, who described his two days of work for Top Gear as ‘his silliest job to date’ described how events unfolded on his blog: ‘By the riverside is a very nice restaurant with windows overlooking the Avon and a decked balcony for outside dining.
‘I meet the very nice producer and my fellow talent for the day – two girls and a gent – all pleasant and relaxed. Chairs and tables are arranged, close to the river bank. We are now diners enjoying a peaceful meal.’
Mr Bott goes on to explain how Clarkson took several attempts to drench the dining area. He has even uploaded a video of the presenter’s aborted efforts.
What a performance: Diners are soaked by the 'hovervan' during the stunt
A senior programme source said: ‘Top Gear is an entertainment programme and I don’t think viewers would have been taken in.’
It is not the first time the show has been caught in such a row. In 2007 the BBC admitted a scene showing an accidental caravan fire had been faked.
The BBC last night declined to comment on the latest stunt.
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