Did you see it? Contact 02036151866 or emma.glanfield@mailonline.co.uk

ITV may be preparing £10million bid to lure presenter away from the BBC

Prime Minister David Cameron weighed in on Jeremy Clarkson's suspension from the BBC today by claiming his children would be 'heartbroken' if the motoring show was taken off the air.

Mr Cameron, who is a friend of Clarkson and lives close to him in his Witney constituency in Oxfordshire - described the Top Gear host as a 'huge talent' and said he hopes the incident can be 'sorted out'.

It comes as 54-year-old Clarkson, who was spotted watching Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in west London tonight, joked that he was 'off to the Job Centre' after being suspended for allegedly punching a producer in a fight over food.

The television presenter is being investigated by the BBC for allegedly 'smacking' Oisin Tymon, 36, in the face after being told there was no hot food after a day's filming in Newcastle.

Scroll down for video

What 'fracas'? Suspended Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson, 54, was spotted in the stands at Stamford Bridge in London this evening ahead of the Champions League match between Chelsea and Paris Saint Germain

Emotive: Clarkson watched the football at Stamford Bridge this evening after earlier joking that he was 'off to the Job Centre' following his suspension from the BBC. He appeared in lively spirits at tonight's cup match

Under scrutiny: The television presenter joked earlier today that the postponement of Sunday's Top Gear episode meant he was able to watch the Chelsea v Paris Saint Germain match as filming had been cancelled

Pressure: Clarkson shrugged his shoulders as he took to his seat ahead of the game at Stamford Bridge

Support: Under fire Clarkson - a Chelsea fan - looked to be enjoying himself at the Champions League game

Shrugging it off? Clarkson showed mixed emotions ahead of the Chelsea v Paris Saint Germain match tonight

'Huge talent': Prime Minister David Cameron weighed into the Clarkson debate today and told how his children would be 'heartbroken' if Top Gear went off air. Mr Cameron is friends with Clarkson (together above)

Moving on: Clarkson (right) took his mind off the 'fracas' which has seen him suspended from the BBC today by popping out lunch for with close friend AA Gill (left), a newspaper restaurant reviewer and television critic

Top Gear presenter: The BBC suspended Jeremy Clarkson (pictured outside his west London home today, left) following a 'fracas' with assistant producer Oisin Tymon, 36, (right), during an alleged row over dinner

Mr Cameron said today that the 'Prime Minister has many responsibilities' but 'sadly securing the future of Top Gear isn't one of them.'

He told BBC Midlands: 'I don't know exactly what happened. He is a constituent of mine, he is a friend of mine, he is a huge talent.

'I see that he said he regrets some of what happened. All I would say, because he is a talent and he does amuse and entertain so many people, including my children who'll be heartbroken if Top Gear is taken off air, I hope this can be sorted out because it is a great programme and he is a great talent.'

Asked if the BBC was wrong to suspend him, Mr Cameron said: 'I don't know what happened. Every organisation has to be able to be free to manage its talent and to say to people, "you can do this", or "you can't do that", so I don't want to interfere in the running of the BBC.'

His comments came as a contractor working behind the scenes during Top Gear filming claimed to have witnessed the ‘fracas’ which resulted in Clarkson’s suspension.

Ryan Thomas, 27, told MailOnline he was working on the set during filming in Newcastle and watched the incident unfold.

He said: ‘I was about 50 yards away and I heard raised voices, a bit of a fracas. There was a bit of a scuffle and I heard some shouting about some sausage rolls.

‘There were a few bits of choice language.

‘Jeremy Clarkson told somebody to “f***off” and people were saying “calm down”, but that was it really.

‘It was a bit like a fight on the bus or in the pub, the same sort of circumstances. It was a melee, there were no clear punches landed. They were surrounded by people. It was a bit of pushing and shoving.

‘Still, I’ve never seen anything like it before. Not to this point.’

Mr Thomas said he didn’t see ‘any punches being thrown’ but said some of the production crew were forced to break up the incident.

He said: ‘He [Clarkson] was pulled away. He looked angry. They took him off set. James May and Richard Hammond were still there and they looked a bit bemused.

‘He [Oisin] looked a bit flabbergasted. He left with another couple members of set.

‘It was over before it started really.’

He said filming was stopped for the day after the incident and added: ‘You’ve got to bear in mind they’re under a lot of stress.’

Support: More than 500,000 Clarkson fans have signed a petition demanding the BBC reinstate him even though he allegedly punched another worker

Slogan: Some supporters have hijacked the 'Je suis Charlie' phrase and used it to support the millionaire star

Fury: Top Gear fans have aimed criticism at the BBC for their handling of the latest Clarkson scandal

Campaign: Posters declaring support for the TV presenter have been tweeted thousands of times

Rumours: After the latest falling out with the BBC, Clarkson is rumoured to be ready to leave and join a rival

More than 500,000 supporters have now signed a petition demanding Clarkson is reinstated by the BBC while many more have used the #BringBackClarkson and #jesuisClarkson hashtags to show support on Twitter.

The online petition has become the fastest-growing campaign ever to be hosted by Change.org - beating other high-profile petitions including attempts to get The Sun to drop its topless page three models which received 240,000.

Co-presenter James May admitted today that his friend was involved in a 'bit of a dust up' over dinner where a punch may have been thrown, but said the row was not 'serious'.

Speaking on his doorstep in west London, the co-host described Clarkson as a 'k***' before adding: 'But I quite like him'.

He also admitted to not knowing much about the 'fracas' before adding he was 'blind drunk' at the time the alleged incident occurred.

The BBC has decided Top Gear will not be aired on Sunday and the further two remaining episodes of this year's series may also be axed while he is investigated.

But Mr Clarkson, whose BBC contract expires this month, is considering quitting Top Gear even if he is cleared of punching Mr Tymon and moving to a rival TV network, a friend said.

The source told the Radio Times: 'The last three episodes of this series have been pulled.

'Can I see him going back to film another BBC series? I don't think so. But he'll be fine. The other broadcasters will bite his arm off.'

With his Top Gear career in the balance after the 'fracas', sources have told MailOnline that ITV may be preparing a £10million bid to lure him away, sparking a bidding war with Sky.

Clarkson could walk out on Top Gear within days because his multi-million pound BBC contract runs out at the end of the month.

He and co-stars James May and Richard Hammond were understood to be days away from signing new three-year deals before he was suspended.

If Clarkson is sacked by the BBC or leaves, Chris Evans is the early favourite to replace him.

BBC director-general Tony Hall today said an investigation was ongoing to 'gather the facts' about the incident, adding that he was 'a fan' of the Top Gear presenter.

The corporation owns the rights to the Top Gear brand, which is valued at £50 million, and includes the show, DVD rights and live shows.

Poll Should the BBC sack Jeremy Clarkson? Yes No Should the BBC sack Jeremy Clarkson? Yes 61379 votes

No 122677 votes Now share your opinion





If the final three episodes are cancelled, the BBC could face financial penalties from other broadcasters they have sold the show to for failing to deliver a full series.

Mr Hall told Parliament's European Scrutiny Committee he had been 'involved' in Clarkson's case.

Asked about the BBC response to the allegations, he told MPs: 'I have been involved in that, I am involved in that.

'We have an inquiry taking place on that.'

Fans have rushed to sign the 'Bring Back Clarkson' petition, with 500,000 signatures in less than 24 hours.

Set up by right-wing political blogger Guido Fawkes, the petition states: 'We the undersigned petition the BBC to reinstate Jeremy Clarkson. Freedom to fracas.'

Leaving their reasons for signing the petition, Veronique Favreau wrote: 'I pay my TV license to ensure that irreverent people can express themselves. If you become boarding and politically correct, you may disappear BBC'.

Chris Kookie said: 'Freedom of speech, freedom of expression!!! Je suis Clarkson' and Peter Maxwell wrote: 'I'm signing because Clarkson is a superb presenter and Top Gear is without doubt one the BBC's better programmes. The viewing figures support this'.

Former culture secretary Maria Miller also described Clarkson as a 'legend' and insisted the BBC had to improve the way it dealt with 'larger than life characters'.

'I think they need to sort this mess about quickly, and not be seen to be punishing the fans,' she told BBC Radio 4's World at One.

'It's a fantastic show and I really think the BBC has got an obligation to get this sorted.

'The BBC needs to be better at managing its talent ... there are other organisations that have to deal with larger than life characters.

'Perhaps the BBC needs to pull in some of those skills, perhaps look at our football teams. People like (Arsenal manager) Arsene Wenger are doing this day in and day out.'

Referring to Clarkson, Ms Miller said: 'He is, I think, a legend, not just in this country but around the world'.

Clarkson, who is said to be worth £30million, was pictured outside his west London home and drinking in his local pub yesterday and said: 'I'm having a nice cold pint and waiting for this to blow over'.

He is understood to have told friends that he did not punch Tymon, but that there had been some 'handbags and pushing' over the incident.

The millionaire star is said to have 'smacked' Mr Tymon and the BBC confirmed yesterday evening that the Top Gear host had been suspended pending an investigation.

Mr Tymon was not at the home he shares with his girlfriend in west London today, with neighbours saying he left last night carrying luggage.

Last night, Clarkson retweeted a message from a fan that said: 'How can the BBC not show the remaining episodes of Top Gear, can't this be resolved without making the fans suffer'.

His daughter Emily also tweeted: 'Oh God, BBC please take him back... He's started cooking'.

Light hearted: Clarkson joked he was off to the Job Centre after his suspension as he left his London home

Fracas: Jeremy Clarkson allegedly 'smacked' Top Gear assistant producer Oisin Tymon, 36, believed to be pictured far left on a trip to China, because there was no catering while out on location

Drowning his sorrows? Clarkson was spotted at a west London pub yesterday afternoon (second from left) as news of his suspension emerged. He said: 'I'm having a nice cold pint and waiting for this to blow over'

James May (pictured above in west London today) confirmed that Clarkson was involved in 'a bit of dust up'

The father-of-three allegedly threw a punch at 36-year-old Mr Tymon – who has worked on Top Gear for the last 10 years and helped produce more than 75 episodes – during filming last week.

The incident came to light after being reported to BBC bosses on Monday.

A source told the Daily Mirror: 'It was all over a catering issue. They came to the end of filming after a long day and Jeremy discovered that no food had been laid on.

MEXICANS AND ARGENTINIANS: TOP GEAR CONTROVERSIES BY YEAR 2003 : Jeremy Clarkson drives a pick-up into a horse chestnut tree in a car park in Somerset, to test the strength of a Toyota. The BBC apologised to the parish council.

2008 : Clarkson makes a joke during an episode about lorry drivers murdering prostitutes, which attracts more than 1,000 complaints to the BBC.

2010 : Jokes made during the show about Mexicans, which included them being branded 'lazy', 'feckless' and 'flatulent', spark controversy and prompt an apology from the BBC to the Mexican ambassador.

2011 : During a 90-minute India special a car fitted with a toilet in the boot is described by Clarkson as 'perfect for India because everyone who comes here gets the trots'.

2012 : Clarkson is found to have breached BBC guidelines by comparing a Japanese car to people with growths on their faces.

2014 : Clarkson was embroiled in controversy when it was claimed he used the N-word while reciting the nursery rhyme Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe during filming.

2014 : Top Gear is ruled to have breached broadcasting rules after Clarkson used the word 'slope' to describe an Asian man.

2014 : Top Gear crew is forced to flee Argentina after trouble erupted when it emerged they were using a Porsche with the registration number H982 FKL, which some suggested could refer to the Falklands conflict of 1982. Advertisement

'He just saw red and hit the assistant producer, who he blamed for not having organised the food. He snapped.'

Another insider told The Sun: 'Jeremy had a massive bust up with one of the male show producers and he ended up smacking him in the face. Everyone was absolutely stunned.'

Clarkson had been staying at a hotel in North Yorkshire last week when the 'fracas' between him and a producer is alleged to have happened, it is understood.

The Top Gear crew spent several nights at the Simonside Hall Hotel in Hawes last week while they filmed the show.

It is not clear whether or not Clarkson's temper allegedly flared in a row over catering while he was actually at the 18-room establishment, but the general manager did not deny this was the case.

The hotel in the Yorkshire Dales, complete with wine cellars, vaults, pub and heli-pad, played host to Clarkson, his co-hosts James May and Richard Hammond, and the rest of the crew.

Robert Scott, the general manager of Simonstone Hall, said: 'It was mid-week and the whole crew stayed for several nights.'

When asked about the 'fracas' Mr Scott said that the hotel wanted to make 'no comment' on whether the controversy took place inside the hotel.

Yesterday, the controversial television presenter was spotted sitting outside a pub in the Notting Hill area of west London.

A BBC source said Clarkson was called in to meet bosses and his suspension was agreed by director-general Tony Hall.

There was speculation last night that the matter had been handed to police and Top Gear footage may be needed as evidence.

The source said: 'Jeremy came in and looked miserable. He looked even more miserable when he left. He's clearly been having a meeting with Danny Cohen [BBC director of television].

'It is a big deal to take Top Gear off the air. Danny was overruled when he wanted to do it before, so the fracas must have been bad if Tony has agreed to it this time. Danny Cohen wants him gone. It definitely feels like Clarkson's losing it.

'The BBC is in this awful position where they all hate him, but they can't afford not to have Top Gear because of the money it brings in. This could be the excuse they're looking for.'

Driving show: Clarkson (right) presents Top Gear with James May (left) and Richard Hammond (centre), who were said to be days from signing new contracts before the suspension

Plea: Jeremy Clarkson's daughter has already asked the BBC to 'take him back' because he is at home cooking

Support: Co-star James May pokes fun at the latest Clarkson scandal and his supporters last night

Top Gear co-presenters James May and Richard Hammond acknowledged the incident on Twitter last night

Clarkson broke his silence following his suspension by responding to his co-stars' tweets. He appeared to make light of the fact the Top Gear episode scheduled to air on Sunday had been pulled from TV listings

The Top Gear crew spent several nights at the Simonside Hall Hotel in Hawes last week while they filmed the show but it is not clear if this is where the fracas happened

A BBC executive said Clarkson's £1million Top Gear contract could now be untenable, adding: 'I can't see him coming back from this.'

Clarkson, who is said to be worth £30million, is also said to have a difficult relationship with BBC bosses, including Danny Cohen.

DRIVING PROFITS WORLDWIDE: HIT SHOW MAKES THE BBC MILLIONS Top Gear is broadcast in 170 different countries and attracts 350 million viewers per week - making it one of the BBC's most popular programmes and one of its biggest commercial successes. It started as a conventional motoring magazine show in 1977 but developed into an international phenomenon since its 2002 relaunch. As its popularity increased, so did its worldwide appeal, and the show's global spin-offs have been a huge revenue driver for the corporation. Versions of the programme have been made in Australia, Russia, the United States and South Korea. The UK version of the show is also shown in hundreds of countries in a variety of different languages. Its success forms a large part of the £156millon that BBC Worldwide made in the 12 months to March this year and the £1billion the commercial arm has generated since it was set up in 2007. The 2012 annual report and accounts of BBC Worldwide - the corporation's commercial arm - show it got a dividend of £4.5 million in 2012 from a company called Bedder 6. The company, which is registered at the west London base of BBC Worldwide, was set up by Clarkson and friend Andy Wilman. The BBC owns 50% with Clarkson reported to own around 30% which would mean his dividend would have been around £2.7 million in that year on top of a hefty BBC salary. Top Gear magazine is published in 31 countries and even Top Gear Stunt School- a £1.99 iPhone and iPad app - has been downloaded at least 2.4m times. DVDs produced by the motoring team have also been a big money spinner, with The Perfect Road Trip being named the UK's best-selling DVD in 2013. In 2012, BBC Worldwide paid £8.4 million for Clarkson's stake in a joint venture which had owned the commercial rights to Top Gear. The presenter made more than £14million from the programme as the BBC moved to take full control of the hit series' production company. Advertisement

The presenter is said to mistrust Mr Cohen over his handling of the show's Falklands crisis where they were forced to flee Argentina over a number plate that was linked to the 1982 conflict with Britain.

Clarkson and his co-stars said it was a misunderstanding and the star apparently told friends the BBC had 'thrown them to the wolves'.

Clarkson's suspension comes less than a year after he was put on a 'final warning' by BBC bosses following a racism row in which he appeared to use the n-word while reciting the nursery rhyme Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe during the show's filming.

He openly admitted that he had been given the warning and said he was told by BBC bosses that 'one more offensive remark, anywhere, at any time' would lead to his sacking.

Danny Cohen said at the time: 'No one show or person is bigger than the BBC'.

A BBC spokesman said yesterday: 'Following a fracas with a BBC producer, Jeremy Clarkson has been suspended pending an investigation.

'No one else has been suspended. Top Gear will not be broadcast this Sunday. The BBC will be making no further comment at this time.'

Clarkson remained silent on his suspension as he returned to his west London home, laden with carrier bags, yesterday afternoon.

Wearing a blue quilted jacket and his trademark blue ill-fitting jeans, he scowled and said nothing when asked if he had any comments to make on the 'fracas'.

Asked a second time, he turned around and asked: 'Who do you work for?' before wearily shrugging and going into his apartment without making any further comment.

Despite his silence, the television presenter took to Twitter last night and appeared to make light of the incident.

His comments came in an online conversation with Top Gear co-stars James May and Richard Hammond.

May started the conversation, writing: 'No Top Gear this weekend, apparently. How about 633 Squadron instead?'

Minutes later, Hammond posted: 'No, surely, Last of the Summer Wine; no one will notice the difference. Job done.'

And Clarkson - breaking his silence - responded: 'No no no. Where Eagles Dare. Much better.'

He later added: 'I did some pretty good war documentaries. They could screen one of those.'

Hours later, he concluded: 'Sorry Ed. It seems I knocked your 'I'm a human' piece down the news agenda.'

The Twitter posts came amid speculation that the final two episodes of this year's Top Gear season have been replaced, with the penultimate episode - which was due to air on March 22 - apparently being substituted with a documentary about the Caribbean featuring Simon Reeve.

Innocent mistake? The Porsche 928GT had the licence plate H982 FKL, which locals believed was a Falklands War reference; Clarkson said his crew changed the plate as soon as the controversy was pointed out to them

Suspended: The BBC said Top Gear would not be aired onSunday while producers investigate the 'fracas'

Top Gear: This Sunday's episode was set to feature the trio - Clarkson (centre) with Hammond (left) and May (right) - getting to grips with classic cars such as a Fiat 124 Spider, an MGB GT and a Peugeot 304 Cabriolet

'I'm available': DailyMail.com editor-at-large Piers Morgan tweeted his availability for Clarkson's role

Top Gear is one of the BBC's most popular programmes, watched in 214 countries, and brings in millions for the Corporation every year – more than any other show.

But it has been suggested that the BBC could consider dropping it because of the controversy, or that rival broadcasters might swoop in to poach it.

CLARKSON'S PRODUCER PAL AND HOW TOP GEAR MADE THEM RICH Top Gear executive producer Andy Wilman (left) pictured with Jeremy Clarkson late last year While the BBC producer at the centre of the 'fracas' with Clarkson has not been revealed by the Corporation, the controversial Top Gear host counts at least one of the production team among his closest friends. Clarkson, 54, went to school with the show's executive producer Andy Wilman and the pair have worked together for several years. The men both attended Repton School, an independent school for both day and boarding pupils in Derbyshire, at the same time. They have since gone on to set up a production company together, called Bedder 6. The firm was founded in October 2006 and has previously recorded profits of more than £1million. Top Gear has made both Clarkson and Wilman multi-millionaires and the 2012 annual report and accounts of BBC Worldwide - the corporation's commercial arm – show how it got a dividend of £4.5million in 2012 from Bedder 6. As well as working together on Top Gear, and several other television shows over the years, Clarkson and Wilman are regularly spotted out and about together at pubs or restaurants. Advertisement

A source said: 'Sky has offered them the world to jump ship, but Clarkson wanted to stick with the BBC. Maybe that time has come.'

Chris Goffey, a former Top Gear presenter, told BBC Radio 5 Live that the incident 'must have been fairly serious'.

He said: 'It must have been something fairly serious behind the scenes to warrant his immediate suspension.

'I can't think what the hell's gone on, but there you go. When you've got a very strong character who likes things his own way, if somebody stands up to him, there's going to be a row.'

Clarkson, who has hosted the show since 2002, has a second seven-figure contract with BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the corporation that sells Top Gear abroad.

He is also close friends with the show's executive producer Andy Wilman and the pair even set up production company Bedder 6 together.

As well as working on Top Gear, and several other television projects together over the years, Clarkson and Wilman were both educated at Repton School, an independent school for both day and boarding pupils in Derbyshire.

Their company, which is registered at the west London base of BBC Worldwide, was founded in October 2006 and has previously recorded profits of more than £1million.

Top Gear has made both Clarkson and Wilman multi-millionaires and the 2012 annual report and accounts of BBC Worldwide - the corporation's commercial arm – show how it got a dividend of £4.5million in 2012 from Bedder 6.

However, the motoring show has not been without controversy and has been dogged by rows over the years.

It even sparked a near-riot while filming was underway in Argentina last year, but BBC director-general Tony Hall has previously defended the show as offering 'a different voice' to viewers.

In recent years, Clarkson has been cleared of breaching the broadcasting code by watchdog Ofcom after comparing a Japanese car to people with growths on their faces.

He previously faced a storm of protest from mental health charities after he branded people who throw themselves under trains as 'selfish'.

And he had to apologise for telling BBC1's The One Show that striking workers should be shot.

Last year, the show was censored by Ofcom for breaching broadcasting rules after Clarkson used a 'racial' term during the programme's Burma special, which had aired in March last year.

The year ended with the motoring show's crew forced to flee Argentina after trouble erupted when it emerged they were using a Porsche with the registration number H982 FKL, which some people suggested could refer to the Falklands conflict of 1982.

No broadcast: In this Sunday's episode, the hosts were set to take to the road and end up at a classic track day, while ex-footballer Gary Lineker (who tweeted the above) was the 'star in a reasonably priced car'

But each episode in the two-part Christmas special attracted more than seven million viewers last year, with a further three million for each episode on iPlayer.

Mr Wilman described last year as 'an annus horribilis' for the show.

This Sunday's episode was set to feature the trio - Clarkson with Hammond and May - getting to grips with classic cars such as a Fiat 124 Spider, an MGB GT and a Peugeot 304 Cabriolet.

CLARKSON 'PUNCHED' PRODUCER HE WORKED WITH FOR A DECADE Jeremy Clarkson's alleged scuffle with Oisin Tymon has thrown the Top Gear producer into the national spotlight. The experienced TV worker is believed to have worked with Clarkson for ten years on 75 show. According to Mr Tymon's LinkedIn profile, he began working on Top Gear as an associate producer in March 2008 before being promoted to producer in March 2012. Before joining the show he spent just over a year as a researcher and associate producer on daily magazine programme The One Show. He has a recommendation from an employer on his LinkedIn page which describes him as 'personable, professional and efficient'. Advertisement

They were set to take to the road and end up at a classic track day, while ex-footballer Gary Lineker was the 'star in a reasonably priced car'.

Lineker tweeted tonight: 'I don't think I'm ever meant to appear on Top Gear!'

Clarkson has made nearly £600,000 in the past year.

His earnings are revealed in his company's newly-filed accounts, showing Newincco 1189 Limited nearly £1.27million in the black, up £592,000 on the previous year.

The firm posted cash assets of more than £1.8million but also owed nearly £572,000. The paperwork covers the 12 months to May last year and has been filed with Companies House.

Clarkson is worth a reported £30million, having sold his slice of the globally successful Top Gear to the BBC for a reported £13million in 2012.

The presenter is said to rub shoulders with Prime Minister David Cameron in the Oxfordshire village of Chipping Norton, where he owns a £2million home.

He is also the reported owner of a £1.5million converted lighthouse in the Isle of Man.

Last month Clarkson launched a bizarre attack on Labour's transport chief Michael Dugher after the politician said the presenter was 'basically an idiot' and gave drivers a bad name.

Clarkson said he thought it was 'good' Mr Dugher did not like his show, adding: 'Labour's transport spokesman say he doesn't like Top Gear. Good. We don't make it for people who wear pink ties.'

And in 2009, Clarkson called then-prime minister Gordon Brown a 'one-eyed Scottish idiot'. He later said sorry - but only for making the joke about the politician's nationality and his sight problems.