British television presenter Jeremy Clarkson leaves his home in London March 24, 2015. The BBC is reportedly going to fire the “Top Gear” star after a “fracas” with a producer.PETER NICHOLLS/Reuters
Jeremy Clarkson has destroyed more than 20 cars, including a Porsche and a Maserati. He was the first to reach the magnetic North Pole in a car. More than 350 million people worldwide reportedly watch each episode of Top Gear, Mr. Clarkson's wildly popular TV show (it airs here on BBC Canada). Thousands have petitioned to have him declared Britain's Prime Minister.
But the BBC fired him on Wednesday, dismissing the outspoken host following the investigation of an incident in which he allegedly verbally abused and physically assaulted a producer with the show.
"It is with great regret that I have told Jeremy Clarkson today that the BBC will not be renewing his contract," the media organization's director-general Tony Hall said in a statement. "It is not a decision I have taken lightly."
The Telegraph reported that Mr. Clarkson had already received a "final warning" prior to the confrontation with producer Oisin Tymon on March 4; Mr. Tymon required treatment at a nearby hospital for a bloody nose and split lip. The outburst allegedly took place after Mr. Clarkson was told he could not have steak and fries after filming concluded that night because it was late and the hotel had stopped serving hot food.
Top Gear is one of the world's most-watched TV shows. There are three hosts, but Mr. Clarkson has been Top Gear's top dog – he takes the most entertaining drives, and he interviews the biggest celebrities.
But he's also stirred controversy by mocking Asians, Mexicans, Germans, Romanians, Indians, people with disabilities and public-service workers. He upset Argentine military veterans recently after he drove a Porsche there with the licence plate H982 FKL, an apparent reference to the 1982 Falklands War.
Co-presenter James May called Mr. Clarkson's departure a "tragedy" while acknowledging the BBC's hands were likely tied. He added that Top Gear will probably continue, but wouldn't say whether he'll stay with the show. "As much as I think he's a knob, I quite like working with Jeremy," Mr. May told the BBC. Fellow co-host Richard Hammond tweeted: "Gutted at such a sad end to an era. We're all three of us idiots in our different ways, but it's been an incredible ride together."
Top Gear is more than just a car show. It's really about adventures and challenges, laced with witty banter. It uses cars as ways to talk about the history of a region, the politics of a country, the culture of a people, or to revisit major news stories. Viewers don't need to be car buffs to appreciate Top Gear, the same way you don't have to be a foodie to love watching Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown.
The physical assault accusation made the decision easier for the BBC, says Christopher Waddell, associate professor at the Carleton School of Journalism.
"In this day and world, I don't think you get second chances if you physically assault another employee," he said. "In any sort of management situation, you have to set the rules at the outset, ensure the rules are followed and then take action, because if you don't take action, the rules don't mean very much."
The BBC struggled with the decision to let go of its highest-profile celebrity. Mr. Clarkson had received his last disciplinary warning in 2014 after he mumbled the N-word on tape while reciting the nursery rhyme "eeny, meeny, miney, mo …"
The clip never aired, but when it became public, Mr. Clarkson issued a videotaped apology.
"I cannot condone what has happened on this occasion," Mr. Hall wrote of the latest incident. "A member of staff – who is a completely innocent party – took himself to Accident and Emergency after a physical altercation accompanied by sustained and prolonged verbal abuse of an extreme nature.
"For me, a line has been crossed. There cannot be one rule for one and one rule for another dictated by either rank or public relations and commercial consideration."
Mr. Hall released the investigation's findings so viewers could see the full report. Legions of fans have supported Mr. Clarkson during the investigation, including the half-million who signed a petition requesting that the BBC reinstate the host.
"I am grateful to the BBC for their thorough and swift investigation into this very regrettable incident, against a background of intense media interest and speculation," Mr. Tymon said in a statement. He added that he has worked for Top Gear for almost a decade and had a "positive and successful working relationship" with Mr. Clarkson. "He is a unique talent and I am well aware that many will be sorry his involvement in the show should end in this way."
Mr. Clarkson has not commented. Various reports on Wednesday indicated Netflix may be interested in offering him a show.
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