And On That Bombshell: Review

Richard Porter's inside story on life scripting Top Gear and why you shouldn't buy it

It may have come to your attention but one or two people previously involved with the car TV programme formerly known as Top Gear have capitalised on their participation with the show to create the odd book, sponsored article or DVD. The circumstances of their departure from the show may or may not have informed their decision to cash in but, in the case of Richard Porter's And On That Bombshell, you get the impression it's a cathartic exercise drawing a line under his 13-year stint as script editor. He was certainly in the thick of it, working alongside producer Andy Wilman and the rest of the off-screen team from the very beginning all the way through to the rather sudden and unexpected end.

I'm a celebrity, get me out of here?

The advantage of getting someone who writes for a living to do a book like this is that they know a bit about how to spin a yarn. Porter's humour will be familiar to anyone who reads Sniff Petrol and the book is underpinned by amusing observation and a self-deprecating sense of wonder at finding himself living the dream and working with his heroes. Which isn't to say he ducks some of the more controversial moments, from how to deal with The Stig getting too big for his helmet to some of the stickier moments both in the studio and on the road. Looming over it all is the inevitability he'll have to address the circumstances of the show's demise, which he does, frankly and in heartfelt fashion.

The book clips along at a fair pace, chapters seemingly of a length to perfectly match one's, ah, typical daily reading schedule. This, says Porter, is no accident. And whether you're a fanboy, a cynic or merely a casual observer there's much to enjoy and a huge amount of insight into the surprisingly disciplined and complicated business of making something seemingly chaotic and dysfunctional.

But why shouldn't you buy it? Well, that's simple. Your loved ones know you're into cars. And it's a matter of inevitability someone will buy it for you for Christmas. Indeed, if you only get a single copy it'll be a surprise. Porter gets his royalty cheques, you get the perfect accompaniment to your morning ablutions for the next couple of weeks and everyone's a winner.

And On That Bombshell - Inside the madness and genius of Top Gear by Richard Porter For more information click here.