http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-32052736Jeremy Clarkson dropped from Top Gear, BBC confirms
25 March 2015
Jeremy Clarkson's contract will not be renewed after an "unprovoked physical attack" on a Top Gear producer, the BBC's director general has confirmed.
Tony Hall said he had "not taken this decision lightly" and recognised it would "divide opinion".
However, he added "a line has been crossed" and he "cannot condone what has happened on this occasion".
Clarkson was suspended on 10 March, following what was called a "fracas" with Top Gear producer 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 cannot be one rule for one and one rule for another dictated by either rank, or public relations and commercial considerations
Lord Hall, BBC director general
An internal investigation began last week, led by Ken MacQuarrie, the director of BBC Scotland.
It found that Mr 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," Mr MacQuarrie noted in his report.
"The verbal abuse was sustained over a longer period" and "contained the strongest expletives and threats to sack" Mr Tymon, who believed he had lost his job.
'Extraordinary contribution'
Mr Tymon did not file a formal complaint and it is understood 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, Lord Hall said Clarkson's dismissal was unavoidable.
I am well aware that many will be sorry his involvement in the show should end in this way
Oisin Tymon
"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."
Top Gear has long been the Beeb's cash cow--it's shown in 200 countries around the world. I suspect they've shot themselves in the foot big time. That said, Clarkson was already on thin ice at the BBC, after several incidents of questionable behavior. I suspect too that the politically correct forces at the Beeb finally won against a notably un-PC TV star. The future of the show is unknown at this time.
ETA: Let me rephrase that last bit--the BBC says the show will continue. The future of James May and Richard Hammond, Clarkson's costars, is unknown. It turns out the contracts of all three are up at the end of March. Clarkson & co. may laugh all the way to the bank at some other network.
