Top Gear's executive producer and Jeremy Clarkson's right-hand man Andy Wilman has written an email to his colleagues titled 'au revoir' - but today denied it was a resignation. Mr Wilman, a schoolfriend of Clarkson who helped revamp Top Gear in to the BBC's most successful show, congratulated staff on making 'one of the most iconic programmes in TV history'. The 52-year-old, who has himself made millions from the show, said in his email that the Top Gear team 'made television that was beautiful to look at and beautiful to listen to'. Scroll down for video Leaked email: Top Gear executive producer Andy Wilman, left, a schoolfriend of Jeremy Clarkson, right yesterday, has told colleagues it his 'stint' in charge of the show is over but denied he had resignedAndy Wilman forced to say he's not quit after email to 113 Top Gear staffSaid group helped make 'one of the most iconic programmes in TV history'Mr Wilman revamped Top Gear with old schoolfriend Clarkson in 2002ITV and Netflix said to be in pole position to sign presenter and Wilman
The two men have been inseparable for years, and _ executives put trust in Mr Wilman to keep Mr Clarkson in check, following a string of scandals.