Tony Mason was Original format Top Gear's rallying correspondent, and served in this role from Series 16 in 1986 through to Series 40 in 1998, by which point the BBC had made the conscious decision to disassociate itself from World Rally Championship coverage, cancelling the long-running Rally Report in the same year. In addition to rallying, he also had a keen eye for presenting segments on specialist interests, a role that was largely taken over by Andy Wilman following his departure from the show.
Initially a one-shot role for his first two series, Mason became a recurring presenter from Series 18 and a main presenter from Series 24. He appeared in 128 episodes, his final appearance being Series 43, Episode 3 in 2000 as a one-off reunion with other departed presenters of yesteryear such as Jeremy Clarkson. He also provided the voiceover for the 1999 video game Mobil 1 Rally Championship.
At the time of his departure in 1998, he was the 6th longest serving host of the show. As of 2019 he remains the 8th most frequently appearing host.
Full list of appearances | |
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1977 format | |
Series 16 | 1 episode (9 total) |
Series 17 | 1 episode (8 total) |
Series 18 | 6 episodes (12 total) |
Series 19 | 4 episodes (8 total) |
Series 20 | 2 episodes (9 total) |
Series 21 | 4 episodes (8 total) |
Series 22 | 4 episodes (11 total) |
Series 23 | 3 episodes (8 total) |
Series 24 | 7 episodes (10 total) |
Series 25 | 6 episodes (10 total) |
Series 26 | 6 episodes (14 total) |
Series 27 | 6 episodes (11 total) |
Series 28 | 7 episodes (13 total) |
Series 29 | 8 episodes (17 total) |
Series 30 | 10 episodes (16 total) |
Series 31 | 4 episodes (11 total) |
Series 32 | 8 episodes (13 total) |
Series 33 | 3 episodes (13 total) |
Series 34 | 5 episodes (14 total) |
Series 35 | 4 episodes (14 total) |
Series 36 | 7 episodes (14 total) |
Series 37 | 9 episodes (20 total) |
Series 38 | 4 episodes (16 total) |
Series 39 | 5 episodes (13 total) |
Series 40 | 3 episodes (15 total) |
Series 43 | 1 episode (15 total) |
Italicised rows indicate a series where this cast member was a guest or recurring host and not part of the main presenting team. Bold rows indicate a series where they were the main host.
As a host, Mason holds the unique distinction of driving the most expensive vehicle that he or anyone else in Top Gear's history has ever driven - the £15 million Volvo Environmental Concept Bus. In addition, Mason holds the distinction of being just one of three people to appear on Top Gear in addition to its predecessor show which aired in the '60s and early '70s - Wheelbase. The other two people to share this distinction were Judith Jackson and Barrie Gill. However, Mason was the only person of these three to not appear in a hosting capacity, rather as Roger Clark's co-driver.
Despite the same surname, significant facial resemblance and similar hobbies, Mason is not related to Nick Mason of Pink Floyd fame.
Cast of Top Gear | |
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Present Cast | Chris Harris | Freddie Flintoff | Paddy McGuinness | The Stig |
Former Cast (2002 format) | Sabine Schmitz | Eddie Jordan | Rory Reid | Matt LeBlanc | Chris Evans | James May | Richard Hammond | Jeremy Clarkson | Ben Collins | Top Gear Stunt Man | Top Gear Dog | Perry McCarthy | Jason Dawe |
Former Cast (1977 format) | Andy Wilman | Jason Barlow | Tiff Needell | Vicki Butler-Henderson | Adrian Simpson | Quentin Willson | Kate Humble | Steve Berry | Julia Bradbury | Brendan Coogan | Tony Mason | Michele Newman | Jon Bentley | Chris Goffey | Janet Trewin | Nicky Fox | Steve Lee | William Woollard | Sue Baker | Beki Adam | Tom Boswell | Vic Allan | Frank Page | Peter Burgess | Bob Friend | Judith Jackson | Stewart Woodcock | Noel Edmonds | Mike Dornan | Gill Pyrah | Barrie Gill | Angela Rippon | Presenters with less than 5 appearances |