BBC director general Tony Hall said he took the decision to end Clarkson’s BBC career “with great regret”, 16 days after he was suspended following a “fracas” with a member of the Top Gear production team.
A BBC investigation led by BBC Scotland boss Ken MacQuarrie found that Clarkson engaged Oisin Tymon in a 30-second physical assault after a 20-minute verbal tirade. Tymon took himself to the accident and emergency department for treatment after the assault, MacQuarrie’s report found.
Clarkson’s contract with the BBC was due to expire at the end of of March.
The BBC will attempt to continue with Top Gear, which is BBC2’s most popular show and generates around £50m a year for its commercial arm, BBC Worldwide.
The BBC will look to “reconstruct” the motoring show without Clarkson. May and Hammond both have presenting commitments on the BBC outside of Top Gear.
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