Jeremy Clarkson Fired From Top Gear

Jeremy Clarkson has been fired from Top Gear, the world’s most popular motoring (or as we say in the USA, car) show. The BBC confirmed today that they have let their troublesome but very popular host go after he had an admitted physical and verbal altercation with one of the show’s producers.

Jeremy Clarkson Fired Top Gear

That Jeremy Clarkson has been fired from Top Gear should surprise nobody as he was already on his last warning from the BBC over statements he had made that brought controversy to the show and network. But the BBC faced a terrible range of options because it recently had suffered other very nasty high profile issues with BBC talent behaving badly. In this case, Jeremy Clarkson clearly had economic value to Top Gear and the network, and there will certainly be a backlash from the fans over his sacking.

But Clarkson admitted striking a producer over catering on the set of Top Gear and the BBC said that a “line had been crossed” and Jeremy Clarkson had to go. More accurately, Jeremy Clarkson’s contract, which was up for renewal, won’t be renewed for Top Gear.

The BBC has said they want to renew Top Gear for 2016 but without Jeremy Clarkson. It is unclear if the show’s other hosts, James May and Richard Hammond will return. Reports indicate the Twitter account belong to James May changed his description to “Former TV presenter.”

Given Jeremy Clarkson’s popularity on Top Gear, as a free agent, he is likely to enjoy many new and financially attractive offers to host other television programs. While he would represent a powerful audience magnet for other producer’s, his hiring would be like holding a tiger by the tail. You’d not really enjoy it but you dare not let go.

No news yet what this means for the Top Gear live touring show or who the BBC intends to recruit to replace Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear.