BBC chief still a Clarkson fan, but says fracas claims ‘serious’

BBC director-general Tony Hall says he is still “a fan” of suspended Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson, but said allegations of a fracas with one of the show’s producers were “serious”.

Clarkson himself laughed off his latest controversy, telling reporters he was “just off to the job centre” after he was suspended following the row with producer Oisin Tymon.

Speaking outside his London home, he joked: “I’ve been suspended haven’t I? I’m just off to the job centre.”