There will be no more Top Gear this year, as series 19 of the world's most popular automotive show won't air until early 2013, outspoken host Jeremy Clarkson has confirmed on Twitter.
"We will be back in January," said Clarkson.
"The good news is that the longer we have to make the films, the better they will be."
Top Gear has been been broadcast as two series of between 6 and 11 episodes most years since it began in its current format in 2002 (2002, 2006 and 2010 the exceptions).
However, we will be treated to another Christmas Special on Boxing Day (in the UK) in the lead up to series 19 in January.
Clarkson took to an internet to twit the news, and wasn't shy about blaming Simon Cowell and his show "full of fat people singing," more commonly known as X-Factor.
"Top Gear is a medium sized van. Cowell is a juggernaut. When he has finished his singing competition, our new series will start."
The Olympics are also believed to have had an influence on the delay, as they will drain most of the BBC's funding for the second half of 2012.
By Ben Salter