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Andy Wilman, the executive producer of BBC’s motoring show Top Gear, has announced he is not quitting the show after Jeremy Clarkson’s departure.
A leaked email from Andy Wilman to Top Gear staff had seemed to suggest he was resigning, but he said it was a private “note of thanks” marking the an end of an era.
Andy Wilman, an old school friend of Jeremy Clarkson, helped re-launch Top Gear in 2002.
Jeremy Clarkson, 54, was dropped by the broadcaster earlier this month following a “fracas” with show producer Oisin Tymon.
Andy Wilman has issued a statement about the email, saying: “The email I wrote yesterday was not a resignation statement, and nor was it meant for public consumption.
“It was a private note of thanks to 113 people who have worked on the show over the years, but clearly one of those 113 is a bit of a tit, because they shared it with a website.
“I don’t get this modern obsession with sharing, linking, forwarding, retweeting; whatever happened to a private moment?
“And if I were to resign, I wouldn’t do it publicly, I’d do it old school by handing in my, er, notice, to someone upstairs in HR.
“I work behind the camera and I wouldn’t presume for one moment to think people are interested in what I do. Now, everyone back to work.”
Photo Top Gear
In the leaked email Andy Wilman started with: “Well, at least we left ’em wanting more.
“And that alone, when you think about it, is quite an achievement for a show that started 13 years ago.”
As well as thanking staff, he assured them that the show will continue.
“For those of you who still rely on it for work, don’t worry, because the BBC will make sure the show continues.
“Our stint as guardians of Top Gear was a good one, but we were only part of the show’s history, not the whole of it. Those two words are bigger than us.”
BBC director general Tony Hall announced on March 25 that the broadcaster would not be renewing Jeremy Clarkson’s contract.
Jeremy Clarkson was suspended on March 10, following what was called a “fracas” Oisin Tymon.
The row, which took place in a Yorkshire hotel, was said to have occurred because no hot food was provided following a day’s filming.
There is no news yet as to whether Top Gear presenters James May and Richard Hammond will return to the show.
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Jeremy Clarkson has been offered a new job less than 24 hours after being dropped from Top Gear.
The Russian Armed Forces Broadcasting Company, known as Zvezda, has invited Jeremy Clarkson to present their motoring television show.
In a statement on its website, Zvezda says it “expresses deep honor” to Jeremy Clarkson and “kindly asks for cooperation”.
Zvezda has asked Jeremy Clarkson to travel to Moscow to “discuss all the details”.
The former Top Gear presenter has yet to reveal whether or not he is interested in the job.
Zvezda has published an email apparently from a spokesperson for Jeremy Clarkson.
The text claims he said: “I can only imagine what an episode… would [be] like. It could feature a Tsar in a reasonably priced car.”
The “spokesman” may be from a company which supplies high-profile people to give talks at corporate events.
Jeremy Clarkson has left Top Gear after his “fracas” with show producer Oisin Tymon earlier this month.
Dermot O’Leary has announced he is quitting The X Factor after eight years as the show’s host.
Dermot O’Leary, 41, said in a statement: “After eight wonderful years on The X Factor it’s time for me to move on.
“I’d like to thank ITV, Simon [Cowell], The X Factor family and particularly the viewers, all of whom have been a big part of my life for so long.”
He took over from Kate Thornton in 2007 as host of the popular talent show.
Dermot O’Leary currently presents a show on Radio 2 and recently completed a 24-hour dance challenge for Comic Relief.
“I’d like to wish the team all the best for the future, especially whoever takes over from me,” he said in the statement.
“You’re about to be the conductor on the most brilliant, runaway train in showbiz. Good luck you’ll love it!”
The news of Dermot O’Leary’s departure may fuel speculation that he is a contender to replace Jeremy Clarkson on the Top Gear motoring show.
Before The X Factor, Dermot O’Leary hosted Big Brother’s Little Brother, Channel 4’s companion show to its long-running reality show.
A spokesman for ITV said Dermot O’Leary had been “a fantastic host of The X Factor” and that the channel was “sorry to see him go”.
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Top Gear producer Oisin Tymon has told police he does not want to press charges against Jeremy Clarkson.
Oisin Tymon, 36, suffered swelling and bleeding to his lip after being physically and verbally attacked by Jeremy Clarkson, 54, in a hotel in North Yorkshire.
He was also subjected to a prolonged verbal tirade and drove himself to hospital believing he had lost his job.
The incident saw Jeremy Clarkson dropped by the BBC after an internal inquiry.
In a statement Oisin Tymon’s lawyer, Paul Daniels, said: “Mr. Tymon has informed the police that he doesn’t want to press charges.
“The events of the last few weeks have been extremely unpleasant for everyone involved. The matter has taken a great toll on Oisin, his family and his friends.
“Quite simply, Mr. Tymon just wishes to return now to the job at the BBC he loves, as soon as possible.
“Further, the BBC have, in his view, taken action with a view to addressing the issues at hand.
“Mr. Tymon agrees with the BBC’s stated view that all parties should now be allowed to move on, so far as possible.”
Oisin Tymon, who previously described Jeremy Clarkson as a “unique talent”, has come under sustained abuse on social media for his involvement in the dispute.
Speaking outside his home on March 26, Jeremy Clarkson asked fans to show restraint.
“I wish people would leave Ois alone because none of this was his fault,” the presenter told reporters.
Oisin Tymon never lodged a formal complaint with the BBC following the altercation with Jeremy Clarkson, which took place on March 4.
The internal investigation was prompted after the presenter reported himself to Danny Cohen, the corporation’s director of television.
The investigation found that Oisin Tymon was subject to an “unprovoked physical and verbal attack”.
The physical altercation lasted “around 30 seconds and was halted by the intervention of a witness,” said the report’s author, Ken MacQuarrie.
As a result, the BBC’s director general, Tony Hall, said he would not renew Jeremy Clarkson’s contract.
“For me a line has been crossed,” Tony Hall said on March 25.
“There cannot be one rule for one and one rule for another dictated by either rank, or public relations and commercial considerations.”
Tony Hall said he “not taken this decision lightly” and recognized it would “divide opinion”.
Following Oisin Tymon’s decision not to press charges, North Yorkshire Police said the force was still investigating the incident.
“We are grateful to Mr. Tymon for clarifying his position, as we can now take this fully into account,” said a spokesman.
“We have some final interviews to complete with guests who witnessed the incident as their perspectives also need to be considered.
“When these conversations are complete, we will issue a statement on our website as appropriate.”
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Jeremy Clarkson has been dropped from Top Gear after an “unprovoked physical attack” on producer Oisin Tymon, BBC director general Tony Hall has confirmed.
Tony Hall said he had “not taken this decision lightly” and recognized it would “divide opinion”.
However, Tony Hall added “a line has been crossed” and he “cannot condone what has happened on this occasion”.
Jeremy Clarkson, 54, was suspended on March 10, following what was called a “fracas” with Oisin Tymon.
The row, which took place in a Yorkshire hotel, was said to have occurred because no hot food was provided following a day’s filming.
An internal investigation began last week, led by Ken MacQuarrie, the director of BBC Scotland.
It found that Oisin Tymon took himself to hospital after he was subject to an “unprovoked physical and verbal attack”.
“During the physical attack Oisin Tymon was struck, resulting in swelling and bleeding to his lip.”
It lasted “around 30 seconds and was halted by the intervention of a witness,” Ken MacQuarrie noted in his report.
“The verbal abuse was sustained over a longer period” and “contained threats to sack” Oisin Tymon, who believed he had lost his job.
Oisin Tymon did not file a formal complaint and it is understood Jeremy Clarkson reported himself to BBC bosses following the incident.
After that, the BBC’s director of television, Danny Cohen, felt he had no choice but to suspend the presenter pending an investigation.
The decision caused an outpouring of support from Top Gear fans, with more than a million people signing an online petition to reinstate him.
Announcing his decision, Tony Hall said Jeremy Clarkson’s dismissal was unavoidable.
“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 considerations.”
However, he added: “This decision should in no way detract from the extraordinary contribution that Jeremy Clarkson has made to the BBC. I have always personally been a great fan of his work and Top Gear.”
In a statement, Oisin Tymon thanked the BBC for a “thorough and swift investigation into this very regrettable incident”.
“I’ve worked on Top Gear for almost a decade, a program I love,” he continued.
“Over that time Jeremy and I had a positive and successful working relationship, making some landmark projects together. 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.”
North Yorkshire police have asked to see the BBC’s internal report, saying it will be “assessed appropriately and action will be taken… where necessary”.
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Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson has said comments he made against the show’s broadcaster BBC were meant as a joke.
Jeremy Clarkson, 54, criticized the corporation’s bosses while at a charity event in London on March 19.
An investigation into Jeremy Clarkson’s current suspension following a “fracas” with a producer is still ongoing.
Writing in the Sunday Times, Jeremy Clarkson said his comments were “all meant in jest”.
The presenter said his “choice language” was to help boost the price of his auction item – a lap of the Top Gear test track.
“By being brief, controversial and a bit sweary, I woke the room up and the auction prize I was offering… raised £100,000,” Jeremy Clarkson said.
His comments at the Roundhouse Gala were made more widely public on March 20 after a video of the event was posted online.
During his speech, Jeremy Clarkson also suggested he expected to be “sacked” by the BBC, auctioning what he described as his “last lap” on the race track.
In his newspaper column on March 22, Jeremy Clarkson appeared to further hint he was no longer working for the corporation writing: “I used to work on a television show called Top Gear.”
Jeremy Clarkson was suspended from Top Gear on March 10, following an alleged altercation with producer Oisin Tymon.
An online petition calling for Jeremy Clarkson’s reinstatement has been signed by more than one million people since his suspension.
Jeremy Clarkson has said he expects to be “sacked” by the BBC.
The Top Gear host was speaking at a charity event in London, where he was auctioning what he described as his “last lap” on the show.
“I don’t know when I did my last ever lap of the track before the BBC sack me,” he said.
An investigation into Jeremy Clarkson’s current suspension following a “fracas” with a producer is still ongoing and the final report is due next week.
The report over the incident will be handed to BBC director general Tony Hall, who will consider the evidence and “set out any further steps”.
The Roundhouse Gala on March 19 saw Jeremy Clarkson offer to drive someone round the Top Gear track as part of an experience offered during the auction.
“I didn’t foresee my sacking, but I would like to do one last lap,” he said.
“I’ll go down to Surrey and I’ll do one last lap of that track before the [BBC] sack me.
“And I’ll drive somebody around in whatever I can get hold of when I’m sacked, so it’s probably an Austin Maestro.”
Jeremy Clarkson also said that Top Gear had been “a great show” but it had been ruined by the corporation.
The BBC said it would “not be offering further commentary” on any issues involving Jack Clarkson until the current investigation was concluded.
Jeremy Clarkson was suspended from Top Gear on March 10, following an alleged altercation with producer Oisin Tymon.
A petition of almost one million signatures calling for Jeremy Clarkson’s reinstatement was delivered to New Broadcasting House on March 20.
The petition was delivered by a man dressed as “The Stig” who arrived at the BBC’s London headquarters in a tank bearing the words “Bring Back Clarkson”.
All remaining shows in the current To Gear series were pulled following the incident.
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An internal report into Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson is to be handed over to BBC’s director general next week.
The internal investigation into Jeremy Clarkson’s suspension, following a “fracas” with a producer, will be considered by Tony Hall next week.
Director of BBC Scotland, Ken MacQuarrie, who is leading the investigation, “is now considering the evidence”, a BBC spokesperson said.
“Once this has been considered, we will set out any further steps.”
“The BBC will not be offering further commentary until then,” the spokesperson concluded.
Jeremy Clarkson, 54, was suspended from Top Gear on March 10, following an alleged altercation with producer Oisin Tymon.
Oisin Tymon did not file a formal complaint and it is understood Jeremy Clarkson reported the incident himself.
A lawyer for Oisin Tymon said his client “intends to await the outcome of the BBC investigation and will make no comment until that investigation is complete”.
All remaining shows in the current series were pulled following the incident.
Top Gear is one of the BBC’s most popular and profitable TV shows, with an estimated global audience of 350 million.
The show’s success is largely attributed to Jeremy Clarkson, who has appeared on the show since 1988.
An online petition calling for Jeremy Clarkson’s reinstatement – set up by political blogger Guido Fawkes – has accrued more than 975,000 signatures since the presenter’s suspension.
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A BBC internal investigation has begun after Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson was suspended from the show following a “fracas” with producer Oisin Tymon.
The enquiry is being headed up Ken McQuarrie, the director of BBC Scotland.
Jeremy Clarkson, 54, was suspended from Top Gear last week following an alleged altercation with producer Oisin Tymon.
Oisin Tymon, 36, did not file a formal complaint and its understood that Jeremy Clarkson reported the incident himself.
The row has been said to have occurred because no hot food was laid on for Jeremy Clarkson following a day of filming in North Yorkshire.
Writing in his column in the Sun newspaper, Jeremy Clarkson appeared to hint that he was close to quitting calling himself a “dinosaur” and adding: “These big imposing creatures have no place in a world which has moved on.”
An online petition to reinstate Jeremy Clarkson has reached more than 900,000 signatures.
The critic AA Gill also voiced his support for Jeremy Clarkson in his Sunday Times column, calling the investigation into the row “preposterous and ponderous”, and praised Clarkson as hard-working.
Top Gear is one of the BBC’s most popular and profitable TV shows, with an estimated global audience of 350 million.
The remaining shows in the current series were pulled off-air following the incident.
A lawyer for Oisin Tymon said his client “intends to await the outcome of the BBC investigation and will make no comment until that investigation is complete”.
No official date has been fixed for the investigation to present its findings.
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Jeremy Clarkson has hinted he may leave Top Gear, following his suspension from the BBC’s show for an alleged “fracas” with producer Oisin Tymon.
Photo BBC
Writing in his regular Sun newspaper column, Jeremy Clarkson, 54, described himself as a “dinosaur”, and said that the day comes when you “wave goodbye to big monsters and move on”.
A BBC internal disciplinary inquiry is due to be held into the incident.
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According to new reports, Jeremy Clarkson initiated the BBC investigation which prompted his suspension from Top Gear show, after he informed the broadcaster’s bosses of the alleged “fracas” with Oisin Tymon.
The Top Gear host star called BBC head of television, Danny Cohen, to report the incident.
Producer Oisin Tymon, with whom the altercation took place, is not believed to have filed his own complaint.
Interviews are expected to be held with Jeremy Clarkson and other parties next week, and the show has been taken off-air.
Jeremy Clarkson, 54, has expressed regret over the incident, which his co-presenter James May labeled “a bit of a dust-up”.
An online petition calling for Jeremy Clarkson’s reinstatement – set up by political blogger Guido Fawkes – has accrued more than 800,000 signatures since Tuesday.
Top Gear is one of the BBC’s most popular and profitable TV shows, with an estimated global audience of 350 million.
Its success is largely attributed to Jeremy Clarkson, who has appeared on the show since 1988.
Politicians on all sides have weighed into the affair, with PM David Cameron – a friend of Jeremy Clarkson – saying he hoped the incident could be “sorted out”.
A lawyer for Oisin Tymon said his client “intends to await the outcome of the BBC investigation and will make no comment until that investigation is complete”.
Jeremy Clarkson’s approach to BBC bosses suggests he was trying to pre-empt any official complaint. The incident, at a Yorkshire hotel, is reported to have been witnessed by members of the public, as well as some of the production team.
Jeremy Clarkson was given what he called his “final warning” last May after claims he used a racist word during filming.
He later apologized for the incident which, although never broadcast, had been leaked to a tabloid newspaper.
A further incident during shooting in Argentina saw the show’s executive producer, Andy Wilman, brand 2014 an “annus horribilis” for his team.
Jeremy Clarkson, and co-presenters James May and Richard Hammond, are due to renegotiate their contracts next month.
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Jeremy Clarkson has opened up about his suspension from BBC’s Top Gear as an online petition for him to be reinstated topped 400,000 signatures.
The Top Gear presenter told reporters he was “just off to the job centre” as he left his home in London on March 11.
Asked if he had any regrets about what had happened, Jeremy Clarkson replied: “Yes.”
Jeremy Clarkson, 54, was suspended on March 10 following what the BBC said was “a fracas” with producer Oisin Tymon.
BBC director-general Tony Hall said an investigation was going on to “gather the facts” about the incident.
“We do not have the facts at the moment,” he said.
“I am a fan of Jeremy Clarkson but this is a serious thing that is alleged to have taken place.”
A lawyer for Oisin Tymon said his client “intends to await the outcome of the BBC investigation and will make no comment until that investigation is complete”.
Sunday’s episode of Top Gear will not be shown, and it is understood the two final episodes in the series will also be dropped.
The online petition in support of Jeremy Clarkson – set up by political blogger Guido Fawkes – was nearing half a million signatures less than 24 hours after it was launched on Tuesday afternoon.
Earlier, Jeremy Clarkson’s co-presenter James May said: “I think he’s been involved in a bit of a dust-up and I don’t think it’s that serious.”
He said he had not been present at the alleged incident.
Top Gear is one of the BBC’s most popular and profitable TV shows, with Jeremy Clarkson appearing on it since 1988. The show has an estimated global audience of 350 million.
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According to new reports, Jeremy Clarkson has been suspended form BBC’s Top Gear for allegedly attacking the show’s assistant producer Oisin Tymon in a row over his dinner.
Jeremy Clarkson, 54, allegedly hit Oisin Tymon, 36, because there was no catering at a filming location.
The broadcaster confirmed that Top Gear would not be aired on Sunday, March 15, and the further two remaining episodes of this year’s series may also be axed while Jeremy Clarkson is investigated.
However, there has been a huge backlash to Jeremy Clarkson’s suspension with more than 210,000 signing a petition to have him reinstated and tens of thousands more used the #BringBackClarkson hashtag to show support.
MailOnline reported that ITV may be preparing a £10million ($15 million) bid to lure Jeremy Clarkson away.
Last night Jeremy Clarkson retweeted a message from a fan that said: “How can the BBC not show the remaining episodes of Top Gear, can’t this be resolved without making the fans suffer.”
Jeremy Clarkson’s daughter Emily also tweeted: “Oh God, BBC please take him back… He’s started cooking.”
The father-of-three allegedly threw a punch at Oisin Tymon – who has worked on Top Gear for the last 10 years and helped produce more than 75 episodes – during filming last week.
The incident came to light after being reported to BBC bosses on March 9.
A source told the Daily Mirror: “It was all over a catering issue. They came to the end of filming after a long day and Jeremy discovered that no food had been laid on.”
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Jeremy Clarkson has been suspended from BBC’s motoring show Top Gear after allegedly punching a producer for not preparing his dinner.
With Jeremy Clarkson at its head, Top Gear has been no stranger to controversy:
- October 2014 – The show’s stars and crew had to abandon filming in Argentina amid angry protests over a car number plate that appears to refer to the Falklands War.
- July 2014 – The UK’s communications regulator Ofcom ruled a Burma Special in which Jeremy Clarkson used a racial slur broke broadcasting rules. Jeremy Clarkson had used the word “slope” as an Asian man crossed a newly built bridge over the River Kwai in Thailand.
- May 2014 – Top Gear drew complaints when video footage leaked to the Daily Mirror appeared to show Jeremy Clarkson using a racist term while reciting the nursery rhyme Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe. The presenter later apologized for the incident – which was never broadcast – in a video statement where he “begged forgiveness”.
- October 2012 – The BBC Trust ruled comments by Jeremy Clarkson which likened the design of a camper van to people with facial disfigurements breached disability guidelines.
- January 2012 – Indian diplomats complained about a 90-minute India special in which a car fitted with a toilet in its boot is described by Jeremy Clarkson as “perfect for India because everyone who comes here gets the trots.”
- February 2011 – The BBC apologized to Mexico after Jeremy Clarkson and his co-hosts characterized Mexicans as “lazy” and “feckless”. [youtube k3FCJN4ORHM 650]
Jeremy Clarkson has been suspended from BBC’s Top Gear for allegedly punching a producer, new reports claim.
Jeremy Clarkson, 54, allegedly punched the producer after he found out there was no food prepared after a day of filming.
The broadcaster is expected to scrap the remainder of the current Top Gear TV series.
It said Jeremy Clarkson had been suspended after what it called a “fracas” and has confirmed Sunday’s episode of Top Gear will not be shown.
It is understood the two final episodes in the series will also be dropped.
An online petition calling for the BBC to “reinstate” Jeremy Clarkson has been signed by more than 150,000 people.
It was started on March 10 by political blogger Guido Fawkes.
Jeremy Clarkson has not issued a statement, but has been joking on Twitter about movies that could replace Sunday’s show.
The Sun newspaper, in which Jeremy Clarkson writes a regular column, quotes him as saying: “I’m having a nice cold pint and waiting for this to blow over.”
It also quotes a “source close to the star” denying Jeremy Clarkson punched anyone.
The BBC had announced Clarkson’s suspension in a statement which said: “Following a fracas with a BBC producer, Jeremy Clarkson has been suspended pending an investigation.
“No one else has been suspended. Top Gear will not be broadcast this Sunday. The BBC will be making no further comment at this time.”
Jeremy Clarkson has exchanged suggestions on Twitter with Top Gear co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May about movies that could be aired in place of the Sunday’s planned episode.
The Top Gear host, who has presented the motoring show since 2002, was given what he called his “final warning” last May after claims he used a racist word during filming.
Footage leaked to the Daily Mirror appeared to show Jeremy Clarkson using a racist term while reciting the nursery rhyme Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe.
Jeremy Clarkson later apologized for the incident, which was never broadcast.
Top Gear‘s executive producer, Andy Wilman, described last year as an “annus horribilis” for the show.
BBC has suspended Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson “following a fracas” with a producer.
Jeremy Clarkson, 54, had been suspended “pending an investigation”, the broadcaster said.
“No one else has been suspended. Top Gear will not be broadcast this Sunday,” it said.
Jeremy Clarkson was given what he called his “final warning” last May after claims he used a racist word while filming the popular motoring show.
At the time, Jeremy Clarkson said the BBC had told him he would be sacked if he made “one more offensive remark, anywhere, at any time”.
The broadcaster gave no further details on the current incident involving Jeremy Clarkson, and said it would not be making any further comment at this time.
This weekend’s episode of Top Gear was set to feature Jeremy Clarkson – who has fronted the show since 2002 – along with regular co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May at a classic track day.
Former footballer and pundit Gary Lineker was also to appear as the “star in a reasonably priced car”.
Jeremy Clarkson has courted controversy on several occasions during his time hosting Top Gear.
Top Gear‘s executive producer, Andy Wilman, described last year as “an annus horribilis” for the show.
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Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson has been penalized for speeding for the first time in 30 years.
Jeremy Clarkson wrote in the Sun that he had been caught by a fixed camera while travelling between Whitby and London.
He said: “Sadly, I was going too quickly for the speed awareness course to be an option.”
Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson has been penalized for speeding for the first time in 30 years
Jeremy Clarkson said he had written last month in “blind fury” about the amount of speed cameras on the route.
“Well, it seems one of them got to me,” he added.
His admission comes just weeks after he and his Top Gear team caused controversy during filming in Argentina for using a number plate that appeared to refer to the Falklands war.
Jeremy Clarkson has said the number plate was a coincidence and the program’s producer has denied it was a stunt.
In 2008, Jeremy Clarkson, who lives near Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire, was criticized for claiming he had driven at 186mph on a public road.
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