The BBC announced Wednesday that it has fired the popular host of its "Top Gear" television show after he allegedly assaulted a producer.
Jeremy Clarkson DETROIT, MI - The BBC announced Wednesday that it has fired the popular host of its "Top Gear" television show after he allegedly assaulted a producer.
Show host Jeremy Clarkson was already on thin ice when he allegedly attacked show producer Oisin Tymon in North Yorkshire, England on March 4 following a location shoot earlier in the day.
Clarkson was suspended March 10 pending an investigation into the incident. At the time, BBC said only that Clarkson had been involved in a "fracas" with a producer.
That fracas was detailed in a report released Wednesday: "During the physical attack Oisin Tymon was struck, resulting in swelling and bleeding to his lip," an independent investigator concludes. "The verbal abuse was sustained over a longer period, both at the time of the physical attack and subsequently."
The report says that Clarkson does not deny assaulting the producer, and the incident was corroborated by several witnesses.
Clarkson's past behavior had already threatened his future with "Top Gear" before the March assault. Clarkson, who has hosted the show since 2002, was given a "final warning" last May amid claims that he said a racist word while filming the show.
The show has had a string of controversies since at least 2011, many of which stemmed from culturally insensitive statements made by Clarkson and co-hosts, according to the BBC.
On Wednesday, BBC director-general Tony Hall released a statement saying the news and entertainment organization is a "broad church" that celebrates diversity.
"We need distinctive and different voices but they cannot come at any price," Hall said. "Common to all at the BBC have to be standards of decency and respect."
Still, Hall expressed gratitude for Clarkson's contribution.
"I have always personally been a great fan of his work and Top Gear," Hall said. "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."
While Clarkson's contract won't be renewed for next year, the BBC said it would seek to renew "Top Gear" for 2016, though it is not immediately clear if that means leaving the door open for Clarkson's eventual return. The BBC will also "look at how we put out the last programs in the current series," Hall said.
David Muller is the automotive and business reporter for MLive Media Group in Detroit. Email him at dmuller@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter