Top Gear - Middle East Special |work| Full Episode Jun 2026

This episode aired on BBC Two on December 26, 2010 (Boxing Day). It was an instant ratings smash, drawing over 7 million viewers. More importantly, it set a template for adventure motoring television that every car show since has tried to copy.

The premise is deceptively simple: find three used, roofless roadsters for under £3,500 and drive from the center of Iraq to the coast of Israel (via Jordan). Of course, the Top Gear production team never does anything simply. The journey begins in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan—a region described by Jeremy Clarkson as "the second most dangerous place on Earth, after a pub in Stoke."

If you have a VPN set to the United Kingdom, BBC iPlayer occasionally cycles the special into the "Classic Top Gear" collection. This is the only place to get the uncut, original broadcast version with the original soundtrack.

The Top Gear: Middle East Special remains a masterclass in adventure television, blending automotive enthusiasm, political nonchalance, and a heartfelt Christmas message. It's a journey you won't forget. top gear - middle east special full episode

May suffered a severe concussion and was rushed to a local hospital. The accident was kept in the final edit, highlighting the genuine dangers the crew faced during these international road trips. Cultural Impact and Legacy

A BMW Z3 , chosen for its German reliability, which ironically suffers some of the worst mechanical issues early on. The Route: Crossing Borders and Broken Terrains

This special also served a hidden purpose for the show. The concept of "Baby Stig" was introduced as a plot device to transition to a new Stig following the departure of Ben Collins, the driver who had portrayed the character. This episode aired on BBC Two on December

Selected a 1998 BMW Z3 , believing the German engineering would carry him through the demanding terrain without breaking a sweat. The Route: A Time Capsule of History

In a final comedic twist, the "baby" in the manger was revealed to be a miniature version of their mysterious test driver, , wearing a tiny white racing helmet and firesuit. Cult Impact and Legacy

The full episode can be purchased in HD on platforms like iTunes / Apple TV , Google Play Movies , and YouTube Movies under Top Gear Series 16. The premise is deceptively simple: find three used,

Early in the journey, the team picks up a police escort. The problem? The officers are armed with AK-47s and are clearly bored. They decide to "entertain" themselves by treating the Top Gear convoy as a high-speed pursuit. One police car overtakes at 100 mph, blocking traffic, while another weaves aggressively behind Hammond’s MX-5. Clarkson’s terrified commentary is comedy gold: “This is not an escort. This is a kidnapping in progress.”

The Middle East Special is famous for a real-world medical emergency. While filming in the Syrian desert, James May’s BMW stalled. As Hammond attempted to tow him, the tow strap snapped, striking May and knocking him over backward onto the rocky ground.

Criticisms

It is here that the "Stig" makes his obligatory special appearance—this time, "Middle East Stig"—who is promptly abandoned in the desert after wrecking his car. The trio then engages in a series of pointless challenges, including driving up impossible dunes and Jeremy Clarkson’s ill-fated attempt to sleep on the roof of his Mazda.