While trying to help tow Hammond’s bogged-down Fiat out of a ditch in the Syrian desert, a towing strap snapped. The heavy metal hook flew back and struck James May squarely in the head. He was rushed to a local hospital, leaving fans genuinely worried. True to his resilient nature, May returned later in the episode wearing a large bandage, though he remained visibly dazed. Secret Agent Gadgets
A: As with all Top Gear , situations were engineered for comedy (e.g., the police escort was probably exaggerated), but the mechanical failures, the heat, and the checkpoint tensions were 100% real.
This special was the second of two Christmas specials in 2010. The premise is simple and brilliant: the presenters must reenact the journey of the Three Wise Men, traveling from "the East" to a stable in Bethlehem.
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Upon arriving at the stable, the "baby Jesus" was famously revealed to be a baby version of The Stig .
The final leg involved a stop at the Sea of Galilee and crossing the West Bank barrier to reach Bethlehem . Production and Reception
As always, the presenters chose three wildly different vehicles, each reflecting their distinct personalities—and each completely unsuited for desert desert tracks and mountain passes. 1. Jeremy Clarkson: Mazda MX-5 (Miata) While trying to help tow Hammond’s bogged-down Fiat
The episode’s charm lies in the presenters' unique approach to the challenge:
The Middle East Special was a ratings success, watched by approximately in the UK, making it one of the top ten most-watched episodes of the series. Jeremy Clarkson has since described it as the best of the adventures to watch, and it remains a staple of holiday television marathons. Today, the three main cars from the special are part of the World of Top Gear exhibition at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu.
Crossing into Syria (then still open to Western tourists), the production team fails to find decent accommodation. They end up in a motel that appears to have been bombed in 1973 and never repaired. The beds are stained, the toilet is a hole in the floor, and the shower delivers either boiling steam or freezing sludge. The sight of James May trying to sleep while wrapped in a plastic Top Gear raincoat is peak British misery. True to his resilient nature, May returned later
Crossing the entire length of the country before the outbreak of the civil war. Jordan: Navigating deserts and historical ancient ruins.
Arriving in Israel, the trio faced a technicality: the Baby Jesus was traditionally placed in a manger. Being Top Gear , they reasoned that a manger was essentially a crib, and a crib was where you put a baby. Therefore, logically, they needed to find a baby.
I will search for relevant information. have gathered information from various sources. I will now open some of these pages to get more detailed content. have gathered comprehensive information from multiple sources. The Wikipedia page provides a detailed overview. The BBC page offers official details. Other sources give episode guides, car details, and behind-the-scenes information. I will now synthesize this into a long article. Top Gear Middle East Special is widely considered one of the greatest road trips the show ever produced. This festive episode, which originally aired as a 76-minute extended special on Boxing Day in 2010, is a perfect blend of classic Top Gear ingredients: unreliable cars, genuine danger, sharp wit, and an epic, unforgettable journey.
The journey took them from into southern Turkey, and down through war-torn Syria, capturing stunning footage in cities like Aleppo, Palmyra, and Damascus . From there, they crossed into the ancient Roman ruins of Jerash in Jordan before making the final, highly emotional crossing into Bethlehem in the West Bank. The Highlights and Hilarity
When fans debate the greatest episodes in the 22-year history of Top Gear , three specials always rise to the top: the Bolivia Special, the Botswana Special, and what many call the perfect balance of chaos, beauty, and danger—.