Jeremy Clarkson fights back tears as he shares emotional tribute with fans

Telly host Jeremy Clarkson has posted a heartfelt video tribute to his long-standing mate, whom he hailed as "a television genius." The Clarkson's Farm favourite turned to Instagram to look back on his Top Gear era. The Beeb's smash-hit motoring programme graced our screens from 2002 to 2015, featuring Clarkson alongside Richard Hammond and James May chatting about all things automotive. Reminiscing about the early years, Jeremy honoured producer Andy Wilman, affectionately known by devotees as "the fourth member." In a touching video, Jeremy seemed to be fighting back tears as he revealed: "I just want to talk, if I may for a moment, about Top Gear.", reports the Mirror . "It started out as a regional programme about cars and became, in quite short order, the most successful, most watched show in the world, every week, 350 million people tuned in." The presenter went on: "You talk to people today in their 20s and 30s who describe it as the sort of Sunday night wallpaper of their childhood, a very important show, actually, it really was." Paying tribute to his mate, Jeremy declared: "The man responsible for it is an incredible success, a man called Andy Wilman, he was there right at the beginning when he had to pay audience members out of his own pocket a fiver to stay to the bitter end because they were so bored. "He was there when we ended it in Zimbabwe, he was the producer, he was the editor, he had to deal with James, Richard and I. "He had to deal with Ofcom, he had to deal with the BBC , he just ran the whole thing and then of course he was there when the fracas happened and then he had to start all over again in a broom cupboard with one assistant and build it all up again from scratch and now of course, he's busy editing the farm show." The telly legend hailed Andy as "a television genius," whilst promoting the presenter's fresh tome titled Mr Wilman's Motoring Adventure. Jeremy gushed: "It's a fantastic book, it really is, I'm just overflowing with joy that he's put it all on paper. So here's a suggestion: after you've read my new book, The Farmer's Dog , do get this. It really is worth your while." The man himself, Andy Wilman, responded in the comments section stating: "I do NOT deserve that much praise, (mind you I'll take a bit of it.)You were the one responsible for making that show a success and everyone who worked on it will say the same. That aside, we are entering the Yuletide gifting period, and the book is available in all good bookshops." Strictly's Thomas Skinner chimed in: "I love you Mr. Clarkson and I love you Mr. Wilman. You are absolute legends that made my Sunday evenings the absolute governor when I was younger. I love cars because of Top Gear. I've bought cars because of what I've seen on TopGear. Best TV show of all time in my opinion. Bosh." This post was flooded with messages of support from Top Gear enthusiasts, who lauded the host for his contributions to the car-centric show. One fan penned: "It was three blokes doing what blokes do. We all felt like we knew you and were all apart of your circle. Thank you for the memories! ! ! !". Another admirer chimed in: "The best show ever! You guys literally created the playbook for the whole automotive storytelling industry."