Ken Block Drifts London – EXTENDED Director's Cut | Top Gear | BBC

What happens

Ken Block takes a Gymkhana-style drift tour around central London for Top Gear — an adrenaline-fuelled sightseeing joyride that doubles as a stunt demo. He and the presenters tear through streets and “shortcuts,” drift across famous locations and tease running into (and being followed by) the police, all while cracking jokes and gawking at landmarks.

Highlights and standout moments

Landmark drifts

• Dramatic driving and tight turns by Tower Bridge.
• Drifts along the Thames past the Houses of Parliament, St Paul’s Cathedral, Canary Wharf and Buckingham Palace.
• Crowd applause punctuates several stunts.

Running gags

• The hosts repeatedly ask, “what does the red button do?” and warn “don’t touch anything,” implying temptation to press it.
• Frequent checks on whether the car is “street legal.”

Funny lines

“It’s illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament.” “People think this is London Bridge.” “If the flag on Buckingham Palace is flying, the Queen’s home.” (followed by spotting her)

Personality bits

• Ken is casual and chatty — mentions he’d had “quite a lot of bacon for breakfast,” gives driving tips, and teases the route.
• Hosts banter nervously about police nearby and comment on shortcuts, including a colorful, unexpected route.

Tension and comedy

• Occasional near-misses and the sense of being trailed by police add suspense.
• The sequence blends stunt driving with tourist commentary and light-hearted chaos.

Why it stands out

The piece combines high-skill drifting in a dense, iconic urban environment with Top Gear’s cheeky presenter banter and observational jokes. It’s less a polished tour and more a playful, high-energy stunt sequence that showcases Ken Block’s driving flair against instantly recognizable London backdrops.

Personalities who appear (from subtitles)

• Ken Block (driver)
• Andy (appears/mentioned)
• Top Gear presenters/crew (unnamed in these subtitles; they provide most of the commentary and reactions)