The 75 minute special was cobbled together from two location films shot by the trio before Clarkson was dropped by the BBC for hitting a member of the show’s production team.
BBC bosses always promised fans would get to see the films which ahead of transmission they billed as a ‘special’ episode of the hit series.
However in the end the footage appeared in a lacklustre form, with editing less sharp than was normal for the series and Hammond and May forced to record linking material in an audience-free, partially dismantled studio.
“Welcome to what’s left of Top Gear,” said May as the episode opened.
Clarkson’s absence was alluded to by the presence of a model elephant behind the pair, but no on-screen mention was made of his behaviour or dismissal by the BBC.
The episode finished with an emotional goodbye from the two presenters.
As the silent credits rolled, Clarkson tweeted: “Many many thanks for all your support and encouragement over the years. So sad and sorry it’s ended like this.”
The trio are expected to announce a deal with Netflix or ITV in the coming weeks which will see them and former Top Gear Executive Producer Andy Wilman reunite to make a rival motoring show.