One fracas, a few expletives and some taunting is all it took for everything to come full circle; Jeremy Clarkson is free to return to the BBC.

The corporation's governing body gave the all-clear for the former Top Gear presenter to return to BBC programmes after rejecting complaints about the belligerent 55 year-old’s appearance on BBC 1 panel show Have I Got News for You.

Following the punch up with Top Gear producer Oisin Tymon, Clarkson returned to the BBC in October to feature on the panel show. His appearance resulted in complaints and calls for a complete ban on him appearing on any future BBC programmes.

The BBC Trust’s complaints and appeals board decided that while Clarkson’s contract had not been renewed on Top Gear, he was “not banned from appearing on the BBC altogether”.

The trust said the choice of presenters was an editorial and operational decision, which was the responsibility of the BBC executive board.

“The panel did not consider that it was appropriate, proportionate or cost-effective to take this matter on appeal because it did not have a reasonable prospect of success,” said the BBC Trust.

Whether Clarkson will return to the BBC remains to be seen as he is not scheduled in any future programmes and will be busy with his Amazon prime exclusive motoring show with former co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May.