Jeremy Clarkson could face police action over attack

Jeremy Clarkson faces the possibility of police action after the “unprovoked” attack on a colleague that left them in hospital and ended his BBC career.

Director general Tony Hall said the Top Gear presenter’s attack on Irish producer Oisin Tymon meant “a line has been crossed”.

A BBC report found that the 30-second attack, which was stopped when a witness intervened, was accompanied by a volley of verbal abuse so loud it could be heard throughout the hotel where the programme’s crew were staying.

It said Mr Tymon — who was left with a split lip after being struck by Clarkson — “believed that he had lost his job” following the attack and drove himself to a “nearby A&E department for examination”.

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Police said the force had asked the BBC for its report on the incident.

Mr Hall, who said he had met and spoken to both men, said the BBC needed “distinctive and different voices” but not “at any price”.

The BBC investigation found that Mr Tymon was “subject to an unprovoked physical and verbal attack by Jeremy Clarkson”.

It said: “Verbal abuse was directed at Oisin Tymon on more than one occasion —both during the attack and subsequently inside the hotel — and contained the strongest expletives and threats to sack him. The abuse was at such volume as to be heard in the dining room, and the shouting was audible in a hotel bedroom.”

The BBC has released the following statement regarding Jeremy Clarkson: http://t.co/xHCAsHmxpI pic.twitter.com/JJgKsQfUOw

— Top Gear (@BBC_TopGear) March 25, 2015

Mr Tymon said: “I’ve worked on Top Gear for almost a decade, a programme I love. Over that time Jeremy and I had a positive and successful working relationship, making some landmark projects together. He is a unique talent and I am well aware that many will be sorry his involvement in the show should end in this way.”

Clarkson changed his Twitter profile to: “I used to be a presenter on the BBC2 motoring show Top Gear.”

That was a quick change. @JeremyClarkson you will be missed and so will @BBC_TopGear pic.twitter.com/Rjid3yw4En

— Greg Murphy 🤓 (@TheGregMurphy) March 25, 2015

Clarkson’s next step is unknown but it is understood at least one major broadcaster— Sky — has ruled out signing him up.

A spokesman for ITV said they would not comment on “a BBC issue”. A Channel 4 spokesman said: “We have no plans to work with Jeremy Clarkson.”

Meanwhile, DJ Chris Evans is in pole position to take over the show. Bookies have declared the flame-haired petrol-head favourite to take over the driving seat on the hugely popular show — despite Evans having repeatedly ruled himself out.

Bookmakers William Hill and Ladbrokes both tip the BBC presenter to be appointed. Evans, 48, has splashed out millions on his fleet of luxury cars.

If @JeremyClarkson is sacked from Top Gear who could replace him? Here are the latest odds pic.twitter.com/K6xE2lNQKA

— PA Media (@PA) March 25, 2015

Top Gear is well known for its macho attitude and laddish line-up, but catwalk model Jodie Kidd is second favourite to step in to fill Clarkson’s shoes.

Clarkson’s old foe, Piers Morgan, 49, is also among the names being touted to take over, with William Hill putting him at 12/1.

The three of us come as a package, says co-presenter

James May, Top Gear co-presenter, made a statement relating to Jeremy Clarkson’s sacking saying “we were a team ... the three of us come as a package”.

May said that what has happened was a “tragedy” and that “as much as I think he’s a knob, I quite liked working with Jeremy”.

“I don’t really have anything to say about it. It’s a tragedy. I’m sorry that what ought to have been a small incident sorted out easily, turned into something big, but I don’t want to say anything more than that as I have only known for the past few minutes, and if you excuse me, I very desperately have to write the eBay listing for my Ferrari.”

James May says he, Clarkson & Richard Hammond are "a package," and the future of Top Gear "will require thought" https://t.co/eRS2Yz5ACq

— Sky News (@SkyNews) March 25, 2015

May, who has described himself on Twitter as a “former TV presenter”, added that his role at Top Gear “requires much thought, deliberation and conversation’’ before he makes a decision about his future.

His fellow co-presenter Richard Hammond wrote on Twitter: “Gutted at such a sad end to an era. We’re all three of us idiots in our different ways but it’s been an incredible ride together.”

Gutted at such a sad end to an era. We're all three of us idiots in our different ways but it's been an incredible ride together.

— Richard Hammond (@RichardHammond) March 25, 2015

Former tabloid newspaper editor Piers Morgan, Clarkson’s long-time sparring partner, revealed that he would be guest-presenting ITV’s Good Morning Britain for a week next month, before adding: “This doesn’t prevent me doing Top Gear as well, obviously.”

He subsequently wrote: “If he’d stuck to just punching me, he’d have been fine. #Clarkson.”

If he'd stuck to just punching me, he'd have been fine.#Clarkson

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 25, 2015

Shall we go for it, lads @ChrisEvans @MayorofLondon ? #TopGear #NewDreamTeam

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 25, 2015

Star Trek actor William Shatner weighed into the debate, tweeting: “Clarkson will be fine. Sponsors would be silly not to pick him up and establish a competitor show and the viewers will probably follow him.’’

Clarkson will be fine. Sponsors would be silly not to pick him up and establish a competitor show and the viewers will probably follow him.

— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) March 25, 2015

He added: “What Clarkson did was wrong and I’m sure he regrets it.”

What Clarkson did was wrong and I'm sure he regrets it. My comment was about a tweet I recvd on his future and he will be fine imo.

— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) March 25, 2015

Meanwhile, the Top Gear producer who was assaulted by Clarkson has come under huge abuse from trolls on Twitter, including receiving death threats.

Oisin Tymon, who does not have a Twitter account, was subjected to violent and threatening tweets, with many blaming him for Mr Clarkson’s departure from Top Gear.