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A popular host of the BBC television show Top Gear has been let go as the director has chosen not to renew his contract.
Jeremy Clarkson did not have his contract renewed, a decision that was not made lightly according to the BBC’s Director-General Tony Hall. The decision comes after Clarkson was suspended by the BBC following a “fracas” with one of the show producers. Clarkson got into a fight with a producer after he was given cold food following a day of filming, he wanted a hot meal. Clarkson allegedly punched producer Oisin Tymon and he was suspended.
Hall released the following statement about Clarkson’s dismissal:
“I am grateful to Ken MacQuarrie for the thorough way he has conducted an investigation of the incident on 4th March. Given the obvious and very genuine public interest in this I am publishing the findings of his report. I take no pleasure in doing so. I am only making them public so people can better understand the background. I know how popular the programme is and I also know that this decision will divide opinion. The main facts are not disputed by those involved.
Jeremy Clarkson filiming in Argentina (Photo Credit: Twitter)
“I want to make three points.
“First – The BBC is a broad church. Our strength in many ways lies in that diversity. We need distinctive and different voices but they cannot come at any price. Common to all at the BBC have to be standards of decency and respect. I cannot condone what has happened on this occasion. A member of staff – who is a completely innocent party – took himself to Accident and Emergency after a physical altercation accompanied by sustained and prolonged verbal abuse of an extreme nature. 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.
“Second – This has obviously been difficult for everyone involved but in particular for Oisin. I want to make clear that no blame attaches to him for this incident. He has behaved with huge integrity throughout. As a senior producer at the BBC he will continue to have an important role within the organisation in the future.
“Third – Obviously none of us wanted to find ourselves in this position. 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. Jeremy is a huge talent. He may be leaving the BBC but I am sure he will continue to entertain, challenge and amuse audiences for many years to come.”
The BBC will now look for a replacement as it will renew Top Gear for 2016. The show recently filmed an episode in the Okanagan and brought a lot of attention to the region. About 350 million viewers from 170 different countries tune in each week.
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