I could have been in the shoes of that TV producer so when that w#nker of a presenter attempted to throw a punch at me I could have legitimately knocked the fook out of him.

He's one of the BBC's biggest cash cows and that makes him pretty much untouchable, and boy does he know it! The BBC know it too and that's why he's been dangling by a golden thread for so long. I expect the whole episode to blow over as a 'publicity stunt' and Top Gear will gain even more followers in the process. If the BBC do finally have the balls to show him the door, ITV and Sky will be queuing up for his signature and 7 figure fee on a blank cheque.

All because his dinner wasn't available when he was hungry (boo-hoo!)

James May has it right ... [iWhen May was initially asked if Clarkson was innocent, he said: "Of being a knob? No."[/i

It's one of those good days to bury bad news, when the masses are more concerned over a completely trivial incident that has no bearing whatsoever on their lives!!

Like 99% of everything in the news

A number of people have pointed out that if you tried a similar stunt at work, you'd rightly be up the creek without a paddle. Certainly suspended pending an investigation, which is, surprise surprise, exactly what has happened. I don't see what else the BBC were expected to do, or could have done.

The fact that it was that nobber Guido Fawkes who started a reinstatement petition and 300000+ sheep have then signed it says all you need to know about Britain today

The producers name is Oisin Tymon. With a name like that he deserves to be punched.

Fair play.
Valid point.

Not forgetting the vile Katie Hopkins and Piers Morgan rushing to his defence.

He's toast

Yes because the last "bloke" ITV paoched from the BBC went down a storm didn't he?

Anyone know what Adrian Chiles is up to these days?

It is also likely an anlawful physical attack which should see him in court.

No comparison really. How Adrian Chiles was ever employed on TV in the first place is a total mystery. He's absolutely bloody awful.

I can't stand the guy now, but I do have distant memories of watching Working Lunch and liking the show and liking him.

You appear to be a Clarkson fan. I can't stand either Chiles or Clarkson and struggle to see how either attracts the value they obviously do.

When he departs, it will be interesting to sse what happens to the Clarkson and Top Gear brands

I wouldn't say I'm a fan, I haven't signed the petition for a start. He's ok and I can tolerate him for an hour while I watch Top Gear, a programme I've enjoyed since the 80s. I'm not going to cut off my nose to spite my face.

double post

I struggle with his constantly needing to be a dick, seemingly just for the sake of being a dick.

Against my original instincts, I watched his documentary on the Arctic Convoys and was blown away by his professionalism. It was a subject that was obviously dear to his heart, he'd researched it well and did an excellent job in presenting it

That's Jeremy Clarkson.

He's a dick on Top Gear because the majority of his audience love it and that's what he knows they love, so he gives them what they want. A serious approach to motoring wouldn't really appeal to his fuel injected, testosterone charged disciples. Sometimes he gets carried away and goes too far.

A documentary about the Arctic Convoys will have a more discerning audience, hence he's professional and sympathetic to the subject. His boorish Top Gear approach wouldn't go down too well when talking about some of the bravest efforts of WW2.

That still doesn't explain why he obviously chooses to be a dick when he's not in the Top Gear studios

Fair point.

As if Clarkson gives a toss. The man is a multi-millionaire many times over.

I don't go out of my way to watch Top Gear, but I enjoy it now and then. But I've always liked Clarkson, largely for the fact he doesn't give a toss what lefties and/or eternally outraged think of him. I love that so many people get so wound up by him (see this thread for a start!), and meanwhile Top Gear continues to see massive ratings and he rakes in the pennies. Ok, so he spouts pub humour now & then - clearly a helluva lot of people relate to that, given up to 8 million people in the UK watch each episode. Unfortunately the perpetually offended have a loud voice these days.

The BBC have, however, typically ballsed up their reaction. Taking the remaining series off air? Risking their international sales of TG? Killing that massive cash cow? Really? Pathetic. Apologising to Mexico was bad enough.



The irony is all this outrage is probably doing him a favour. Clarkson is receiving more massive publicity and will walk into a multi-million pound deal within days if the BBC give him the boot. The petition to keep him has reached 500,000. No, I haven't signed it. For all of the above, whether Clarkson gets fired or not isn't actually high on my list of concerns.

Who'd have thought?

BBC being as it is these days, they'll replace him with a woman... probably Clare Balding, or Myleene Klass

I'm going for Mel and Sue. You can't turn the TV on these days without seeing their chuffing faces on at least 3 channels!

Myleene Klass would be a wonderful addition to Top Gear. Clarkson would have to stay though, as he'd be able to fawn over her in the right way, while May and Hammond would just be scared of her and too shy to speak.

Think this all rests with the producer. If he's an idiot he'll stick to the possible truth that Clarkson gave him a little slap because he didn't get his food delivered within 3 seconds of him asking for it. If he's got any sense though his report will say that Clarkson was just understandably tired, emotional and hungry and just shouted at him. Big pay rise for the producer, Clarkson gets off again and that last 3 episodes of Top Gear get 25% higher ratings than they would have done without this fuss.

I expect if Clarkson does have to walk over this, he'll probably just retire with his millions and tell the world to do one.