BBC: Jeremy Clarkson sacked as Top Gear host for ‘unprovoked attack’ on producer
Jeremy Clarkson has been sacked as the host of BBC2’s Top Gear, it has been confirmed today.
BBC director-general Lord Hall today confirmed that Clarkson had been sacked, following allegations that he punched a producer which emerged recently.
Lord Hall told the BBC that Clarkson had failed to maintain“standards of decency and respect” whilst working after an “unprovoked physical and verbal attack” on a producer.
He was found guilty of “a physical altercation accompanied by sustained and prolonged verbal abuse of an extreme nature” which left victim Oisin Tymon needing hospital treatment.
Announcing the decision today, Lord Hall said: “It is with great regret that I have told Jeremy Clarkson today that the BBC will not be renewing his contract. It is not a decision I have taken lightly.
“I know how popular the programme is and I also know that this decision will divide opinion.”
Despite calling Clarkson a “nob” [sic], co-host James May said the decision was a “tragedy”.
Clarkson had already been warned after accusations of racism and other offensive content, and last year Danny Cohen, the BBC’s director of television, ordered an investigation into the show. It is understood that Chris Evans is being considered as the next host.
A petition set up by Guido Fawkes blogger on Change.org to bring back Clarkson has been signed by over a million people.
Clarkson has been accused of homophobia in the past.
He apologised last year for a tweet he sent containing a picture of himself with a sign saying “gay c*nt”.
Clarkson tweeted the image featuring fellow Top Gear host James May, along with the caption “Sadly, I fell asleep on the plane.
Piers Morgan tweeted to criticise the Top Gear presenter for the tweet, noting his “flabby neck”.
In 2010, Clarkson was criticised for appearing on the show with Alistair Campbell, and in a scene which was deleted saying: “I demand the right not to be bummed.”
