Jeremy Clarkson suspended over "fracas" with producer

According to Adam Sherwin from The Independent:

"Following a fracas with a BBC producer Jeremy Clarkson has been suspended pending an investigation. No one else has been suspended" 1/2

— Adam Sherwin (@adamsherwin10) March 10, 2015

"Top Gear will not be broadcast this Sunday. The BBC will be making no further comment at this time." 2/2 @Independent

— Adam Sherwin (@adamsherwin10) March 10, 2015

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/jeremy-clarkson-suspended-top-gear-presenter-suspended-by-the-bbc-10098866.html

What a moron.

He was already on his last chance.

Now confirmed on BBC News: http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31824040
I think I recall the show is normally recorded on a Wednesday. I guess it happening so close to filming means they don't have sufficient time to work around his absence. Presumably they'll stick a 'best off' programme on Sunday & Monday instead.

And just in case you want it straight from the horse's mouth: http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/statements/jeremy-clarkson-top-gear

A friend of mine went to last week's recording of Top Gear and said that Clarkson told the audience that they had nothing for the end of the series and were behind with the filming schedule.

Of course, the BBC won't axe Top Gear altogether would they, given that BBC Worldwide makes absolute shedloads of moolah from it ... ?!?

As much of an arrogant loudmouth gobs**te he is, Clarkson IS Top Gear. The BBC would not want him to defect to another broadcaster and take the format (or some variation of it) with him. AFAIK (correct me if I'm wrong) the BBC owns the "Top Gear" name, but Clarkson effectively owns (or co-owns) and co-created the current format.

I expect the current series is going end a bit earlier than scheduled, and any completed TG content that hasn't been broadcast yet could be put on the next Top Gear DVD, or saved for the next series ... if there is one.

I'm pretty sure Clarkson sold his share to Andy Wilman (who is a producer).

The company concerned (which only held the commercial rights, not ownership of the format) was sold to the BBC in 2012.

http://m.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-19756337

As to whether Top Gear continues I suspect depends on how final the infamous final warning Clarkson was apparently given is. If it is what he says it is, then it would have to be curtains for Clarkson. But I suspect we haven't seen the last of Top Gear yet, even if it were only to return for one last series with just May and Hammond.

Like him or not, it wouldn't be the same without gobsh**e Clarkson!

Clarkson tweeted this on Feb 25th.

Wanted: new presenter for Top Gear. Applicant should be old, badly dressed and pedantic but capable of getting to work on time.

— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) February 25, 2015

Feel sorry for whoever popped into the office of the Director of Television/DG and said the word "Clarkson"! Surely it's curtains now, it's going to be very hard for the BBC to give him another final warning. I like Clarkson but if you know you're on a final warning and still cause issues then it's hard to have any sympathy.

Yes, as a joke because James May was late - there's nothing to read into it. Even the BBC itself manage to take it out of context, a bit like the old One Show incident..