When his friend and long-term BBC colleague was unveiled as his Top Gear replacement, it seemed Jeremy Clarkson had finally given up the show's reins in a rare display of grace.

'He texted me straight away to say "Best of luck - I knew they would offer it to you,"' gushed Chris Evans, his successor, as he announced his role earlier this week.

The amicable changeover seemed even more-so when the pair appeared on TFI Friday together for a segment for its comeback special.

But just two days after it was revealed that Evans would take over from Clarkson following his sacking, relations between the two car enthusiasts have turned sour.

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Chris Evans today rejected Clarkson's claim that he was offered his old job back, telling listeners of his Breakfast radio programme the former presenter was answering to 'the voices in his head'

Having held his tongue for most of the week, Clarkson this morning made the stinging claim that Evans was only offered the role after he had turned it down in protest of a senior executive's likening of him to the paedophile Jimmy Savile.

The 55-year-old claimed he was offered his old role back by an unnamed senior figure but had been too outraged to ever return to the Corporation.

Later, as he presented his breakfast show, Evans dismissed the claim as a product of Clarkson's imagination.

He told his millions of Radio 2 listeners: 'Well, as to whether Jeremy was offered his old job back or not, either outside or inside his own head, he still said no to the voices.'

Evans (pictured leaving his studio today) said he would continue in his 'resurrection' of the show in his role as the new host

The presenter defiantly promoted his quest for a new presenter, opening applications to the public this morning

The 49-year-old also revealed today he would no longer be hosting The One Show on Friday afternoons in order to concentrate on his new role.

Running through the day's front pages, Evans read from the Sun's interview with Clarkson: 'Jeremy Clarkson, bombshell exclusive! BBC asked me back to Top Gear.

'Clarkson was offered the job DAYS before Evans.'

CLARKSON VS. EVANS IN THE FIGHT FOR TOP GEAR REIGN When news of Jeremy Clarkson's departure from Top Gear was announced in March, Evans was immediately named as a potential replacement. Within days of the 'fracas' with Oisin Tymon however, the radio DJ denied being in the running for the job. 'Re Top Gear debate. I can categorically say I am not and will NEVER be running for office. Pls discount my candidacy. .' he tweeted on March 11. He went further during a live broadcast, adding that he would 'never' join the show. But on Tuesday, the BBC veteran was the confirmed choice. Full of praise for his predecessor, he later tweeted: 'I would like to say Jeremy, Richard & James are the greatest,' he said, adding that he was 'thrilled' to be joining. Evans went on to tell listeners of his radio show that Clarkson sent him a congratulatory text message when news of his appointment was shared. Clarkson's first lengthy response to the overhaul came this morning in an interview with The Sun. He claimed he had been asked to return to the programme but turned it down and Evans was subsequently offered his job. Twisting the knife, he told the newspaper: 'I hope Chris enjoys running what, for the next couple of weeks, is the world's biggest car show,' in reference to his new venture. In response, Evans dismissed his claims as having been 'in his head'. Advertisement

After inferring that the comments had been dreamed up by the former host, he continued: 'Therefore, I shall continue my resurrection of the world's favourite TV car show as auditions for a new presenter go live in 26 mins from now. And I can't wait.'

Clarkson had claimed his reason for turning down the role was a BBC executive's comparison of him to Jimmy Savile.

'Too much has gone on. After I had been compared to Jimmy Savile by someone from the BBC and it was splashed all over a Sunday newspaper, how could I go back?,' he was quoted as saying.

‘The spotlight would have been on me and the show would have ended up being neutered. It would have been difficult to do anything without interference.

‘It would have been impossible to make the show I’d want to make. I think they knew this so that’s why they gave the job to Chris so soon after I met them.’

The BBC later released photographs of his final appearance in the show.

The presenter is seen alongside co-hosts James May and Richard Hammond as they take part in a number of motoring challenges, including driving 4x4s uphill in an indoor ski slope.

The trio filmed the scenes earlier this year before Clarkson was sacked.

After his departure, Hammond and May were left to film studio segments without their friend and fellow presenter.

Such scenes appear in the final episode which will be shown on BBC Two on Sunday, June 28 at 8pm.

After revealing his side of the story this morning, Clarkson hinted at plans for his new motoring programme.

'I hope Chris enjoys running what, for the next couple of weeks, is the world's biggest car show,' he jested.

He later added to speculation the trio had already begun work on a new show this morning in an online exchange with James May.

'A bit warm in London today. I'm going to give Norway a shot,' May wrote on Twitter, with Clarkson responding: 'Mind if I tag along?'.

In his final appearance on the show Clarkson is seen pushing a vintage Peugot with Richard Hammond while James May sits at the wheel (above)

Clarkson's final episode with May and Hammond (above) will be shown on BBC Two at 8pm next Sunday

Hammond and May filmed studio segments for the forthcoming final episode without Clarkson who had already been sacked

The BBC denied Clarkson's claim he was offered his job back, with a spokesman saying: ‘We haven’t offered another Top Gear contract and the BBC had placed on record its thanks to Jeremy for his broadcasting on the programme and wish him well for the future.’

Yesterday Evans told listeners of his BBC Radio 2 show that he was only offered the job last Thursday, after co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May ruled themselves out of a return.

He previously insisted that he was ‘100 per cent’ certain that one of his co-hosts would be a woman when the hit show re-launches - but the BBC said there would be ‘no gender diktats’.

Model Jodie Kidd is currently installed as the bookmakers’ favourite to take on the role.

Clarkson (pictured at Queen's Club on Wednesday) claimed he refused to take back his old job, complaining that an unnamed senior BBC executive had compared him to serial paedophile Jimmy Savile after the row broke

CHRIS EVANS APPEALS FOR CO-HOST... AND ANYONE CAN APPLY Chris Evans today invited Top Gear fans and 'anyone with a real appetite for cars' to apply to become his co-host on the show. Would-be presenters are encouraged to send a 30-second clip of themselves talking on the subject to topgear@bbc.co.uk for consideration. Applicants must be at least 17 (with parents' approval unless 18) and send their videos in by July 20. 'All we want is you, your enthusiasm and what your relationship with cars is,' an advert said today. 'You and you alone to camera. No cars, no stunts, no gimmicks.' Advertisement

Evans, who categorically denied he would join Top Gear three months ago, said he had previously ruled himself out of the job because he said he didn’t want to upset the former presenters.

The radio DJ revealed on his Radio 2 show that fans will be able to audition to become presenters on the show by sending in a 30-second video of themselves talking about car.

A special website has been set up for members of the public with a passion for motoring to post short YouTube-style clips.

The best entries will then be picked out by production staff and invited to a live interview, similar to The X Factor, in front of Evans and other Top Gear producers.

The infamous ‘fracas’ with Mr Tymon which ended Clarkson’s Top Gear career took place back in March at a hotel after a long day’s filming when the presenter returned to find there was no hot dinner available.

The producer chose not to press charges against the star.

Evans, who categorically denied he would join Top Gear three months ago, said he had previously ruled himself out of the job because he didn’t want to upset the former presenters

HOW A £21 STEAK DINNER TOPPLED BBC'S MOST POPULAR PROGRAMME Oisin Tymon chose not to press charges over the 'fracas' at a Yorkshire hotel 'Fracas' over a steak Rumours Jeremy Clarkson could be sacked first emerged at the beginning of March. The 56-year-old was said to have punched Oisin Tymon, a Top Gear producer, during a late-night 'fracas' at a Yorkshire hotel in a row over a steak on March 4. Witnesses claimed Clarkson became irate when, after a long day of filming, he was told he could not have a hot dinner because the hotel's chef had gone home. He was encouraged to have a platter, sandwich or soup instead, sending Clarkson into a violent rage. After launching a foul-mouthed rant at Tymon, he is said to have punched him in the face, leaving the producer with a split lip. Once news of the row emerged speculation over Clarkson's future at the BBC arose. He fuelled the controversy when, on March 10, he changed his Twitter biography to read 'probably a Top Gear host' amid speculation he was to face disciplinary action. Tymon chose not to press charges against the presenter when approached by police. Clarkson sacked by BBC as director general says 'line has been crossed' On March 25, Director General Tony Hall confirmed the BBC would not be renewing Clarkson's contract as a result of the row. In a statement he said he could not 'condone' Clarkson's treatment of Tymon, 36, adding: '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.' Exodus of the Top Gear veterans In a further blow to the BBC, James May and Richard Hammond ruled out returning to the show without their friend and co-host. Speaking to the Guardian in April, May said such a move would be 'lame', refusing to stand alongside a 'surrogate Jeremy'. Wilman, Clarkson, Hammond and May were seen leaving the disgraced presenter's flat at the end of April in a clear show of defiance Later that month producer Andy Wilman, who dreamed up the programme with his long-term friend, Clarkson, announced he was also quitting the show. Wilman earlier denied that an email he sent to staff titled 'au revoir' was sign of his resignation. On April 25 however a BBC spokesman confirmed he had left the show. On the same day all four men were seen leaving Clarkson's London flat in a clear show of defiance. New wave of BBC stars to revive show Earlier this week the BBC revealed radio host Chris Evans had signed a three-year contract to present the show. The 49-year-old said he was 'thrilled' to be leading an 'all new line-up', adding he was certain one of his co-hosts would be a woman. He later invited 'anyone with a real appetite for cars' to apply for a role on the show by sending videos of themselves to the Corporation. It's not yet known who will join Evans on the revamped Top Gear, though model Jodie Kidd is among bookies' favourites for a position. The programme's new line-up will be led by BBC radio host Chris Evans, with model Jodie Kidd among bookies' favourites to join him Advertisement