- .Clarkson suspended by BBC after allegedly throwing a punch at producer
- .54-year-old allegedly 'smacked' Oisin Tymon, 36, over lack of food on set
- .Presenter said today he was 'just off to the Job Centre' as he left his home
- .James May admits his friend was involved in a 'bit of a dust up' over dinner
- .BBC spokesman confirmed no one else has been suspended over incident
- 'Bring Back Clarkson' petition already has 400,000-plus online signatures
- .Top Gear episode will not air on Sunday and doubt over showing two more
- .Clarkson put on 'final warning' in 2014 after racism row over nursery rhyme
- .ITV may be preparing £10million bid to lure presenter away from the BBC
- .Chris Evans favourite to replace Clarkson if he is sacked over 'punch-up'
- .Did you see it? Contact 02036151866 or martin.robinson@mailonline.co.uk
Jeremy Clarkson said today he was 'off to the Job Centre' after the BBC suspended him for allegedly punching a producer in a fight over food.
The 54-year-old millionaire is being investigated for allegedly 'smacking' Oisin Tymon, 36, in the face after being told there was no hot food after a day's filming in Newcastle.
More than 440,000 supporters have signed a petition demanding he is reinstated by the BBC while many more used the #BringBackClarkson and #jesuisClarkson hashtags to show support.
Co-presenter James May admitted today his friend was involved in a 'bit of a dust up' over dinner where a punch may have been thrown, but said the row was not 'serious'.
The BBC has decided Top Gear will not be aired on Sunday and the further two remaining episodes of this year's series may also be axed while he is investigated.
But Mr Clarkson, whose BBC contract expires this month, is considering quitting Top Gear even if he is cleared of punching Mr Tymon and moving to a rival, a friend said.
Top Gear presenter: The BBC has suspended Jeremy Clarkson (pictured outside his west London home today, left) following a 'fracas' with producer Oisin Tymon, 36, (right), during an alleged row over dinner
Support: More than 400,000 Clarkson fans have signed a petition demanding the BBC reinstate him even though he allegedly punched another worker
Slogan: Some supporters have hijacked the 'Je suis Charlie' phrase and used it to support the millionaire star
Fury: Top Gear fans have aimed criticism at the BBC for their handling of the latest Clarkson scandal
Campaign: Posters declaring support for the TV presenter have been tweeted thousands of times
Rumours: After the latest falling out with the BBC, Clarkson is rumoured to be ready to leave and join a rival
'The last three episodes of this series have been pulled,' a source told the Radio Times, adding: 'Can I see him going back to film another BBC series? I don't think so. But he'll be fine. The other broadcasters will bite his arm off.'
With his Top Gear career in the balance after the 'fracas', sources have told MailOnline that ITV may be preparing a £10million bid to lure him away, sparking a bidding war with Sky.
Clarkson could walk out on Top Gear within days because his multi-million pound BBC contract runs out at the end of the month.
He and co-stars James May and Richard Hammond were understood to be days away from signing new three-year deals before he was suspended.
If Clarkson is sacked by the BBC or leaves, Chris Evans is the early favourite to replace him.
The corporation owns the rights to the Top Gear brand, which is valued at £50 million, and includes the show, DVD rights and live shows.
After it cancelled the final three shows the BBC could face financial penalties from other broadcasters they have sold the show to for failing to deliver a full series.
Director general Tony Hall told Parliament's European Scrutiny Committee he had been 'involved' in Clarkson's case.
Asked about the BBC response to the allegations, he told MPs: 'I have been involved in that, I am involved in that.
'We have an inquiry taking place on that.'
Fans have rushed to sign the BBC bring back Clarkson petition, with 400,000 signatures in less than 24 hours.
Leaving their reasons for signing the petition Veronique Favreau wrote: 'I pay my TV license to ensure that irreverent people can express themselves. If you become boarding and politically correct, you may disappear BBC'.
Chris Kookie said: 'Freedom of speech, freedom of expression!!! Je suis Clarkson' and Peter Maxwell wrote: 'I'm signing because Clarkson is a superb presenter and Top Gear is without doubt one the BBC's better programmes. The viewing figures support this'.
Former culture secretary Maria Miller has described Clarkson as a 'legend' and insisted the BBC had to improve the way it dealt with 'larger than life characters'.
'I think they need to sort this mess about quickly, and not be seen to be punishing the fans,' she told BBC Radio 4's World at One.
'It's a fantastic show and I really think the BBC has got an obligation to get this sorted.
'The BBC needs to be better at managing its talent ... there are other organisations that have to deal with larger than life characters.
'Perhaps the BBC needs to pull in some of those skills, perhaps look at our football teams. People like (Arsenal manager) Arsene Wenger are doing this day in and day out.'
Referring to Clarkson, Ms Miller said: 'He is, I think, a legend, not just in this country but around the world'.
Clarkson, who is said to be worth £30million, was pictured outside his west London home and drinking in his local pub yesterday and said: 'I'm having a nice cold pint and waiting for this to blow over'.
He is understood to have told friends that he did not punch Tymon, but that there had been some 'handbags and pushing' over the incident.
The millionaire star is said to 'smacked' Oisin Tymon, 36, and the BBC confirmed yesterday evening that the Top Gear host had been suspended pending an investigation.
Mr Tymon was not at the home he shares with his girlfriend in west London, with neighbours saying he left last night carrying luggage.
Top Gear co-host James May said this morning that his friend was involved in a 'bit of a dust up' over dinner.
But when asked if Clarkson was innocent of the allegations he punched producer Oisin Tymon, 36, he said: 'No, I think he has been involved in a bit if a dust up, but I don't think it's that serious.'
Speaking on his doorstep he was asked whether he supports Clarkson.
Mr May said: 'In many ways no, I have said many times before the man is a knob, but I quite like him. It's all getting a bit ridiculous.'
Last night Mr 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'.
His daughter Emily also tweeted: 'Oh God, BBC please take him back... He's started cooking'.
Light hearted: Clarkson joked he was off to the Job Centre after his suspension from the BBC as he left his London home
Fracas: Jeremy Clarkson allegedly 'smacked' Top Gear assistant producer Oisin Tymon, 36, believed to be pictured far left on a trip to China, because there was no catering while out on location
Drowning his sorrows? Clarkson was spotted at a west London pub yesterday afternoon (second from left) as news of his suspension from the BBC emerged. He said: 'I'm having a nice cold pint and waiting for this to blow over'
The father-of-three allegedly threw a punch at 36-year-old Mr 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 Monday.
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.
'He just saw red and hit the assistant producer, who he blamed for not having organised the food. He snapped.'
Another insider told The Sun: 'Jeremy had a massive bust up with one of the male show producers and he ended up smacking him in the face. Everyone was absolutely stunned.'
Clarkson appeared to shrug off the incident, telling the newspaper: 'I'm having a nice cold pint and waiting for this to blow over' while a friend said: 'He didn't punch anyone'.
Jeremy Clarkson had been staying at a hotel in North Yorkshire last week when the 'fracas' between him and a producer is alleged to have happened, it is understood.
The Top Gear crew spent several nights at the Simonside Hall Hotel in Hawes last week while they filmed the show.
It is not clear whether or not Clarkson's temper allegedly flared in a row over catering while he was actually at the 18-room establishment, but the general manager did not deny this was the case.
The hotel in the Yorkshire Dales, complete with wine cellars, vaults, pub and heli-pad, played host to Clarkson, his co-hosts James May and Richard Hammond, and the rest of the crew.
Robert Scott, the general manager of Simonstone Hall, said: 'It was mid-week and the whole crew stayed for several nights.'
When asked about the 'fracas' Mr Scott said that the hotel wanted to make 'no comment' on whether the controversy took place inside the hotel.
Yesterday the controversial television presenter was spotted sitting outside a pub in the Notting Hill area of west London yesterday afternoon.
A BBC source said Clarkson was called in to meet bosses and his suspension was agreed by director-general Tony Hall.
There was speculation last night that the matter had been handed to police and Top Gear footage may be needed as evidence.
The source said: 'Jeremy came in and looked miserable. He looked even more miserable when he left. He's clearly been having a meeting with Danny Cohen [BBC director of television].
'It is a big deal to take Top Gear off the air. Danny was overruled when he wanted to do it before, so the fracas must have been bad if Tony has agreed to it this time. Danny Cohen wants him gone. It definitely feels like Clarkson's losing it.
'The BBC is in this awful position where they all hate him, but they can't afford not to have Top Gear because of the money it brings in. This could be the excuse they're looking for.'
Driving show: Clarkson (right) presents Top Gear with James May (left) and Richard Hammond (centre), who were said to be days from signing new contracts before the suspension
Plea: Jeremy Clarkson's daughter has already asked the BBC to 'take him back' because he is at home cooking
Support: Co-star James May pokes fun at the latest Clarkson scandal and his supporters last night
Top Gear co-presenters James May and Richard Hammond acknowledged the incident on Twitter last night
Clarkson broke his silence following his suspension by responding to his co-stars' tweets. He appeared to make light of the fact the Top Gear episode scheduled to air on Sunday had been pulled from TV listings
The Top Gear crew spent several nights at the Simonside Hall Hotel in Hawes last week while they filmed the show but it is not clear if this is where the fracas happened
A BBC executive said Clarkson's £1million Top Gear contract could now be untenable, adding: 'I can't see him coming back from this.'
Clarkson, who is said to be worth £30million, is also said to have a difficult relationship with BBC bosses, including Danny Cohen.
DRIVING PROFITS WORLDWIDE: HIT SHOW MAKES THE BBC MILLIONS
Top Gear is broadcast in 170 different countries and attracts 350 million viewers per week - making it one of the BBC's most popular programmes and one of its biggest commercial successes.
It started as a conventional motoring magazine show in 1977 but developed into an international phenomenon since its 2002 relaunch.
As its popularity increased, so did its worldwide appeal, and the show's global spin-offs have been a huge revenue driver for the corporation.
Versions of the programme have been made in Australia, Russia, the United States and South Korea.
The UK version of the show is also shown in hundreds of countries in a variety of different languages.
Its success forms a large part of the £156millon that BBC Worldwide made in the 12 months to March this year and the £1billion the commercial arm has generated since it was set up in 2007.
The 2012 annual report and accounts of BBC Worldwide - the corporation's commercial arm - show it got a dividend of £4.5 million in 2012 from a company called Bedder 6.
The company, which is registered at the west London base of BBC Worldwide, was set up by Clarkson and friend Andy Wilman.
The BBC owns 50% with Clarkson reported to own around 30% which would mean his dividend would have been around £2.7 million in that year on top of a hefty BBC salary.
Top Gear magazine is published in 31 countries and even Top Gear Stunt School- a £1.99 iPhone and iPad app - has been downloaded at least 2.4m times.
DVDs produced by the motoring team have also been a big money spinner, with The Perfect Road Trip being named the UK's best-selling DVD in 2013.
In 2012, BBC Worldwide paid £8.4 million for Clarkson's stake in a joint venture which had owned the commercial rights to Top Gear.
The presenter made more than £14million from the programme as the BBC moved to take full control of the hit series' production company.
The presenter is said to mistrust Mr Cohen over his handling of the show's Falklands crisis where they were forced to flee Argentina over a number plate that was linked to the 1982 conflict with Britain.
Clarkson and his co-stars said it was a misunderstanding and the star apparently told friends the BBC had 'thrown them to the wolves'.
Last month he tweeted that the BBC were looking for a new Top Gear presenter because of his problems with time keeping.
He wrote: 'Wanted: new presenter for Top Gear. Applicant should be old, badly dressed and pedantic but capable of getting to work on time'.
Clarkson's suspension comes less than a year after he was put on a 'final warning' by BBC bosses following a racism row in which he appeared to use the n-word while reciting the nursery rhyme Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe during the show's filming.
He openly admitted that he had been given the warning and said he was told by BBC bosses that 'one more offensive remark, anywhere, at any time' would lead to his sacking.
Danny Cohen said at the time: 'No one show or person is bigger than the BBC'.
A BBC spokesman said yesterday: '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.'
Clarkson remained silent on his suspension as he returned to his west London home, laden with carrier bags, yesterday afternoon.
Wearing a blue quilted jacket and his trademark blue ill-fitting jeans, he scowled and said nothing when asked if he had any comments to make on the 'fracas'.
Asked a second time, he turned around and asked: 'Who do you work for?' before wearily shrugging and going into his apartment without making any further comment.
Despite his silence, the television presenter took to Twitter last night and appeared to make light of the incident.
His comments came in an online conversation with Top Gear co-stars James May and Richard Hammond.
May started the conversation, writing: 'No Top Gear this weekend, apparently. How about 633 Squadron instead?'
Minutes later, Hammond posted: 'No, surely, Last of the Summer Wine; no one will notice the difference. Job done.'
And Clarkson - breaking his silence - responded: 'No no no. Where Eagles Dare. Much better.'
He later added: 'I did some pretty good war documentaries. They could screen one of those.'
Hours later, he concluded: 'Sorry Ed. It seems I knocked your 'I'm a human' piece down the news agenda.'
The Twitter posts came amid speculation that the final two episodes of this year's Top Gear season have been replaced, with the penultimate episode - which was due to air on March 22 - apparently being substituted with a documentary about the Caribbean featuring Simon Reeve.
Innocent mistake? The Porsche 928GT had the licence plate H982 FKL, which locals believed was a Falklands War reference; Clarkson said his crew changed the plate as soon as the controversy was pointed out to them
Suspended: The BBC said Top Gear would not be aired onSunday while producers investigate the 'fracas'
Top Gear: This Sunday's episode was set to feature the trio - Clarkson (centre) with Hammond (left) and May (right) - getting to grips with classic cars such as a Fiat 124 Spider, an MGB GT and a Peugeot 304 Cabriolet
'I'm available': DailyMail.com editor-at-large Piers Morgan tweeted his availability for Clarkson's role
Top Gear is one of the BBC's most popular programmes, watched in 214 countries, and brings in millions for the Corporation every year – more than any other show.
But it has been suggested that the BBC could consider dropping it because of the controversy, or that rival broadcasters might swoop in to poach it.
CLARKSON'S PRODUCER PAL AND HOW TOP GEAR MADE THEM RICH
Top Gear executive producer Andy Wilman (left) pictured with Jeremy Clarkson late last year
While the BBC producer at the centre of the 'fracas' with Clarkson has not been revealed by the Corporation, the controversial Top Gear host counts at least one of the production team among his closest friends.
Clarkson, 54, went to school with the show's executive producer Andy Wilman and the pair have worked together for several years.
The men both attended Repton School, an independent school for both day and boarding pupils in Derbyshire, at the same time.
They have since gone on to set up a production company together, called Bedder 6.
The firm was founded in October 2006 and has previously recorded profits of more than £1million.
Top Gear has made both Clarkson and Wilman multi-millionaires and the 2012 annual report and accounts of BBC Worldwide - the corporation's commercial arm – show how it got a dividend of £4.5million in 2012 from Bedder 6.
As well as working together on Top Gear, and several other television shows over the years, Clarkson and Wilman are regularly spotted out and about together at pubs or restaurants.
A source said: 'Sky has offered them the world to jump ship, but Clarkson wanted to stick with the BBC. Maybe that time has come.'
Chris Goffey, a former Top Gear presenter, told BBC Radio 5 Live that the incident 'must have been fairly serious'.
He said: 'It must have been something fairly serious behind the scenes to warrant his immediate suspension.
'I can't think what the hell's gone on, but there you go. When you've got a very strong character who likes things his own way, if somebody stands up to him, there's going to be a row.'
An online petition to reinstate Clarkson, set up by right-wing political blogger Guido Fawkes, has already gained more than 100,000 signatures.
The 'Bring Back Clarkson' petition states: 'We the undersigned petition the BBC to reinstate Jeremy Clarkson. Freedom to fracas.'
Clarkson, who has hosted the show since 2002, has a second seven-figure contract with BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the corporation that sells Top Gear abroad.
He is also close friends with the show's executive producer Andy Wilman and the pair even set up production company Bedder 6 together.
As well as working on Top Gear, and several other television projects together over the years, Clarkson and Wilman were both educated at Repton School, an independent school for both day and boarding pupils in Derbyshire.
Their company, which is registered at the west London base of BBC Worldwide, was founded in October 2006 and has previously recorded profits of more than £1million.
Top Gear has made both Clarkson and Wilman multi-millionaires and the 2012 annual report and accounts of BBC Worldwide - the corporation's commercial arm – show how it got a dividend of £4.5million in 2012 from Bedder 6.
However, the motoring show has not been without controversy and has been dogged by rows over the years.
It even sparked a near-riot while filming was underway in Argentina last year, but BBC director-general Tony Hall has previously defended the show as offering 'a different voice' to viewers.
In recent years, Clarkson has been cleared of breaching the broadcasting code by watchdog Ofcom after comparing a Japanese car to people with growths on their faces.
He previously faced a storm of protest from mental health charities after he branded people who throw themselves under trains as 'selfish'.
And he had to apologise for telling BBC1's The One Show that striking workers should be shot.
Last year, the show was censored by Ofcom for breaching broadcasting rules after Clarkson used a 'racial' term during the programme's Burma special, which had aired in March last year.
The year ended with the motoring show's crew forced to flee Argentina after trouble erupted when it emerged they were using a Porsche with the registration number H982 FKL, which some people suggested could refer to the Falklands conflict of 1982.
No broadcast: In this Sunday's episode, the hosts were set to take to the road and end up at a classic track day, while ex-footballer Gary Lineker (who tweeted the above) was the 'star in a reasonably priced car'
But each episode in the two-part Christmas special attracted more than seven million viewers last year, with a further three million for each episode on iPlayer.
Mr Wilman described last year as 'an annus horribilis' for the show.
Clarkson hinted that trouble could be brewing two weeks ago when he tweeted to his 4.5million followers: 'Wanted: new presenter for Top Gear. Applicant should be old, badly dressed and pedantic but capable of getting to work on time.'
CLARKSON 'PUNCHED' PRODUCER HE WORKED WITH FOR A DECADE
Jeremy Clarkson's alleged scuffle with Oisin Tymon has thrown the Top Gear producer into the national spotlight.
The experienced TV worker is believed to have worked with Clarkson for ten years on 75 show.
According to Mr Tymon's LinkedIn profile, he began working on Top Gear as an associate producer in March 2008 before being promoted to producer in March 2012.
Before joining the show he spent just over a year as a researcher and associate producer on daily magazine programme The One Show.
He has a recommendation from an employer on his LinkedIn page which describes him as 'personable, professional and efficient'.
This Sunday's episode was set to feature the trio - Clarkson with Hammond and May - getting to grips with classic cars such as a Fiat 124 Spider, an MGB GT and a Peugeot 304 Cabriolet.
They were set to take to the road and end up at a classic track day, while ex-footballer Gary Lineker was the 'star in a reasonably priced car'.
Lineker tweeted tonight: 'I don't think I'm ever meant to appear on Top Gear!'
Clarkson has made nearly £600,000 in the past year.
His earnings are revealed in his company's newly-filed accounts, showing Newincco 1189 Limited nearly £1.27million in the black, up £592,000 on the previous year.
The firm posted cash assets of more than £1.8million but also owed nearly £572,000. The paperwork covers the 12 months to May last year and has been filed with Companies House.
Clarkson is worth a reported £30million, having sold his slice of the globally successful Top Gear to the BBC for a reported £13million in 2012.
The presenter is said to rub shoulders with Prime Minister David Cameron in the Oxfordshire village of Chipping Norton, where he owns a £2million home.
He is also the reported owner of a £1.5million converted lighthouse in the Isle of Man.
Last month Clarkson launched a bizarre attack on Labour's transport chief Michael Dugher after the politician said the presenter was 'basically an idiot' and gave drivers a bad name.
Clarkson said he thought it was 'good' Mr Dugher did not like his show, adding: 'Labour's transport spokesman say he doesn't like Top Gear. Good. We don't make it for people who wear pink ties.'
And in 2009, Clarkson called then-prime minister Gordon Brown a 'one-eyed Scottish idiot'. He later said sorry - but only for making the joke about the politician's nationality and his sight problems.
TOP JEER: CLARKSON'S LONG-STANDING HISTORY OF CAUSING OFFENCE
Jeremy Clarkson has a history of causing controversy and sparking offence.
The Doncaster-born presenter thrives on notoriety and has frequently been embroiled in rows on everything from racism and climate concerns to safety rules and political correctness.
Last month, the Top Gear frontman launched a bizarre attack on Labour's transport chief Michael Dugher after the politician said the presenter was 'basically an idiot' and gave drivers a bad name.
Clarkson was found to have deliberately employed an offensive word after saying a bridge in Burma had a 'slope on it'. Viewers complained about term, which is a derogatory term for people of Asian descent
At the time, Clarkson said he thought it was 'good' Mr Dugher did not like his show, adding: 'Labour's transport spokesman says he doesn't like Top Gear. Good. We don't make it for people who wear pink ties.'
The row came after he was hounded out of Argentina with the Top Gear crew after apparently deliberately putting a H982 FKL number plate on his car. Locals suggested the registration number was a reference to the Falklands conflict of 1982 as he drove it through the country as part of a Top Gear special. The television crew were forced to flee across the border to Chile after an angry mob targeted them and threw stones and debris at their vehicles.
In May last year, Clarkson became embroiled in one of his many race rows after being caught on camera reciting the rhyme: 'Eeny, meeny, miny, moe' before mumbling what sounded like 'catch a n***** by his toe'.
He initially denied the incident but then backed down and said he was 'mortified' and 'horrified' when he realised it 'did appear that I'd actually used the word I was trying to obscure'. He later released a 'selfie' video in which he 'begged' for public forgiveness.
Just a month before, he caused controversy after taking to Twitter to reveal he had named his new dog – a black terrier – after the Ivory Coast and Chelsea footballer, Didier Drogba.
He was also at the centre of another racism row last year and was found to have breached Ofcom's broadcasting rules over a 'racial' term made on a Top Gear Burma special.
The show, which aired in March 2013, saw Clarkson 'joke' that a bridge with an Asian walking across it had a 'slope on it'.
Viewers complained about the use of the word 'slope', which is considered a derogatory term for people of Asian descent.
The BBC later apologised but said it was not aware of the racist term at the time. In July, Ofcom ruled Clarkson had deliberately used racist language, but the BBC did not take action against him.
In June last year, Clarkson also famously settled his differences with long-standing arch-enemy Piers Morgan.
Clarkson and Morgan have had several run-ins in the past, notably a full-blown row on the last flight of the Concorde and an incident at the British Press Awards in 2004.
On the last flight of the Concorde, the pair exchanged fraught words before Clarkson threw a cup of water over Morgan.
The pair's feud, which has seen them frantically exchange angry messages on Twitter over the last few years, came to a head again at the British Press Awards and resulted in Clarkson punching Morgan.
Clarkson swung at Morgan and hit his temple and forehead. The next day, Morgan announced: 'I think it's fair to say he was a little inebriated. I've frankly taken worse batterings from my three-year-old son.'
Clarkson admitted: 'He's won really. This is just one in a long line of clashes. We'll have to kiss and make up.'
Their long-standing feud began in November 2000 – after Morgan published photographs of Clarkson in an embrace with TV producer Elaine Bedell while he was editor of the Daily Mirror - but was resolved after the pair made-up with a pint in a west London pub.
Clarkson also had to apologise after unscreened footage showed him using the n-word during filming
In January 2012, the Indian High Commission in London formally complained to the BBC about comments made by Clarkson in which he mocked the clothing, trains and food in India. He also ridiculed the country's sanitation by driving a Jaguar fitted with a toilet through slums.
In the same month he also caused controversy after comparing synchronised swimming to the deaths of 23 Chinese cockle pickers in Morecambe Bay in 2004.
In October 2009, he also claimed TV producers were obsessed with having 'black Muslim lesbians' on screen.
During a press conference in Australia in February 2009, Clarkson also branded then-UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown a 'one-eyed Scottish idiot'. He later insisted he was only sorry for making the joke about the Prime Minister's nationality and his sight problems.
'I very specifically apologised for making fun of his personal appearance - very specifically,' he said.
'I have nothing against the Scottish and of course I regret making any remark that might have upset the disabled. But the idiot bit - there is no chance I'll apologise for that.'
Clarkson was also previously caught on camera with fellow Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond discussing a Mexican sports car and suggesting that vehicles reflect the national characteristics of the country they are from.
Hammond said: 'Mexican cars are just going to be lazy, feckless, flatulent, leaning against a fence asleep looking at a cactus with a blanket with a hole in the middle on as a coat.'
The Mexican ambassador Eduardo Medina-Mora Icaza made a formal complaint to the BBC and called on the presenters to make a public apology for stirring 'bigoted feelings against the Mexican people'.
Clarkson's outspoken views have often landed him in hot water. Here are some of the most controversial remarks he has made.
'This is a hard job and I'm not just saying that to win favour with lorry drivers, it's a hard job. Change gear, change gear, change gear, check mirror, murder a prostitute, change gear, change gear, murder. That's a lot of effort in a day.'
- As he completed a lorry-driving task on an episode of Top Gear, November 2008.
'In England we have this one-eyed Scottish idiot, the one-eyed Scottish man, he keeps telling us everything's fine and he's saved the world and we know he's lying, but he's smooth at telling us.'
- About then prime minister Gordon Brown, February 2009.
'The problem is that television executives have got it into their heads that if one presenter on a show is a blonde-haired, blue-eyed heterosexual boy, the other must be a black Muslim lesbian. Chalk and cheese, they reckon, works. But here we have Top Gear setting new records after six years using cheese and cheese. It confuses them.'
- In Top Gear magazine, November 2009.
The car 'was a bit wrong - that smiling front end - it looked like a simpleton - should have been called the 430 Speciale Needs.'
- On Top Gear, October 2010, describing a Ferrari F430 Special.
'At the Mexican embassy, the ambassador is going to be sitting there with a remote control like this (snores).'
- On Top Gear, January 2011, after Richard Hammond joked that Mexican cars reflected national characteristics, saying they were 'just going to be lazy, feckless, flatulent oaf with a moustache, leaning against a fence asleep, looking at a cactus with a blanket with a hole in the middle on as a coat'.
'I'd have them all shot. I would take them outside and execute them in front of their families. I mean, how dare they go on strike when they've got their gilt-edged pensions which are going to be guaranteed while the rest of us work for a living.'
- About public sector workers on The One Show, December 2011.
'That is a proud moment - but there is a slope on it.'
- On the Top Gear Burma special, aired in March 2014. The presenters were involved in the construction of a makeshift bridge over the River Kwai and viewers saw an Asian man walking on the bamboo crossing.
'I've been told by the BBC that if I make one more offensive remark, anywhere, at any time, I will be sacked. And even the angel Gabriel would struggle to survive with that hanging over his head.'
'It's inevitable that one day, someone, somewhere will say that I've offended them, and that will be that....But saying sorry for using the most racist word of them all and hoping the story would die down as a result? ... It's something I hadn't done.'
- Written in his column in The Sun after unaired footage emerged in May 2014 of Mr Clarkson mumbling the n-word while reciting the children's nursery rhyme 'eeny, meeny, miny, moe' to choose between two cars.
'One of the best drives of my life. Gravel road. M6. Sun going down. iPod playing Blind Faith. Beer in cup holder.'
- Tweeted October 2014.
'Labour's transport spokesman says he doesn't like Top Gear. Good. We don't make it for people who wear pink ties.'
- Tweeted to shadow transport minister Michael Dugher, February 2015.
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