Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May have signed a groundbreaking deal with Amazon Prime to produce a new video streaming only motoring show – ending months of speculation about where the former Top Gear team would go next.

The trio rejected ITV and Netflix to sign with the online giant to produce shows for the first time since Clarkson was sacked from the BBC earlier this year over the assault of an Irish Top Gear team member.

The sacking provoked a massive public outcry but the BBC refused to back down, leading to May and Hammond deciding to leave the show. Former Top Gear producer Andy Wilman, who also quit the show in the wake of the controversy, will work on the new show.

The Guardian reports that the deal is for three series and will be available exclusively to subscribers to the Amazon Prime service. The first series will be available to Amazon Prime customers from 2016.

Chris Evans was recently named new host of Top Gear, with the show to continue on BBC2 next year.

Of the new move the three remarks on their surprise at moving from the traditional medium of the TV to an online only platform.

“I feel like I’ve climbed out of a biplane and into a spaceship,” Calrkson said.

While May was amused that the team “have become part of the new age of smart TV.”

“Ironic, isn’t it?,” he said.

Jay Marine, vice-president of Amazon Prime Video in Europe, said: “Customers told us they wanted to see the team back on screen, and we are excited to make that happen.

“Millions of Prime members are already enjoying our ground-breaking original shows. We can’t wait to see what Jeremy, Richard, James and the team will create in what is sure to be one of the most globally anticipated shows of 2016.”