Jeremy Clarkson has hinted he may quit Top Gear in a column about dinosaurs which concluded: 'These big, imposing creatures have no place in a world which has moved on.'

As further details emerged last night of his alleged assault on the show's producer Oisin Tymon, Clarkson wrote in The Sun: 'Nature made a mistake when it invented the dinosaur. It was too big, too violent.

'All the dinosaurs died and now, years later, no one mourns their passing. These big, imposing creatures have no place in a world which has moved on.'

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Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson, pictured, has hinted he may be about to leave the hit motoring show

He addressed the speculation around his alleged fight, adding: 'I don't intend to dwell here on what happened then or what will happen in the future. I'm sure you're as fed up with the story as I am.'

Clarkson appears to make light of the BBC suspending him following a 'fracas', writing that a news report stating he had been seen using a bus was 'wildly inaccurate'.

'I can assure you that things are bad. But they are not that bloody bad,' he added.

The presenter is said to have called Mr Tymon a 'lazy, Irish ****' and threatened to end his career.

According to the Daily Mirror, he then split Mr Tymon's lip with a punch, leaving him with blood running down his face and needing treatment in A&E.

The BBC is investigating whether Clarkson 'punched' assistant producer Oisin Tymon, right

Clarkson, right, and Tymon, left, are believed to have had a heated row following a day's filming

The alleged use of xenophobic language is likely to be a particularly sore point with BBC executives, who have already given Clarkson a number of warnings for using racist slurs.

Both men have consulted lawyers, according to reports. Clarkson is being represented by Olswang, a firm which specialises in media disputes.

RISING OUT OF THE ASHES? AS THE FUTURE OF TOP GEAR IN UK HANGS IN THE BALANCE THE FRENCH VERSION GEARS UP FOR LAUNCH The French version of Top Gear is fronted by Philippe Lellouche (centre) with co-stars Bruce Jouanny (second left), Yann Larret-Menzo (right) and Le Stig (far left) The format of the BBC programme has been sold the world over - Australia, Russia, America, South Korea and China have all made their own versions in recent years. But this week the French production will be aired for the first time on RMC Decouverte. It's fronted by 48-year-old Philippe Lellouche - an actor, film director and playwright. He stars alongside racing driver, Bruce Jouanny, and journalist Yann Larret-Menzo. Much like the British version they will also have an anonymous racing driver - Le Stig. Mr Lellouche told The Times the show was 'very politically incorrect', and joked 'I didn't fight with a member of the production team either'. 'Basically we had the same brief as they do in Britain, except that our humour is French and we test more French cars. But we were completely free to say what we waned and we didn't hold ourselves back. If we thought a car was "merde", we said so.' The show was filmed at a former Nato base in eastern France and includes guest such as the former prime minister, Francois Fillon, and celebrity chef, Philippe Etchebest. Advertisement

Mr Tymon has hired employment lawyer Paul Daniels from Slater and Gordon.

The producer has faced a Twitter backlash from viewers who blame him for the fact the show may be cancelled, bombarding him with abuse.

Some said he had a 'very punchable face' and should never work again.

Some have also circulated Mr Tymon's email address, urging Top Gear fans to write to him personally and tell him what they think.

'Oisin Tymon is a producer – he failed to produce. Sack him,' said one viewer. Another told him he had '****** it up for millions of people'.

The 36-year-old has worked on Top Gear for six years, in what colleagues claim was his 'dream job'. Now he is 'feeling the pressure'.

'Here is a guy who doesn't want Top Gear to finish,' said a source. 'It's his job. But he still has millions of people telling him he is wrong.

'Imagine it. The Prime Minister is saying, 'This guy who assaulted you, he's a good egg.' People seem to forget that the BBC is taking this action because there was an accusation of physical assault.'

Clarkson was suspended from the BBC on Monday after he had a 'dust-up' with Mr Tymon over food, at the luxury Simonstone Hall Hotel in North Yorkshire.

The presenter is said to have become angry after he was offered cold cuts after a day's filming, instead of the hot 8oz steak he wanted.

A family who witnessed the row said Clarkson went into the bar at around 9.30pm after a day of filming last Wednesday.

Bob Ward, his wife Denise, his brother Alan and sister-in-law Sue, from Leeds, watched in horror as Clarkson exploded with rage when he was told the kitchen was now closed.

The 60-year-old told MailOnline: 'We were having a drink in the bar and could hear Clarkson screaming at someone.

'He was saying: 'This is not f****** good enough. This is typical of the f****** BBC. You're going to lose your job over this, I'll make sure of it'.

'He then asked if someone could get him a Chinese, but he was told no because the hotel is in the middle of the Dales and miles from anywhere.

'He was just effing and blinding constantly, which is not on in a family hotel like that. The staff didn't know what to do, or what to say, but they did nothing. If it was one of us we would have been thrown out.

'Then James May and Richard Hammond came in and stood next to us at the bar. They looked very embarrassed to be honest.'

Luxury: The Top Gear crew spent several night in Siimonstone Hall Hotel last week while filming but returned too late for a hot meal. Eventually the manager cooked Clarkson a steak

Famished: The star had demanded this £21.95 steak and fondant potatoes at the Simonstone Hall Hotel in North Yorkshire, but became upset when he was only offered a plate of cold-cuts or a cheese platter

Mr Ward added that he asked Clarkson for a picture but he said: 'No, not after the day I've had'.

The following morning the Top Gear crew went filming but Clarkson stayed behind, spending time on his laptop or outside on the terrace, suggesting he may have already been suspended then.

After the row he reportedly phoned Head of TV Danny Cohen, despite their reportedly fraught relationship, because upset Top Gear staff were ready to report it themselves.

A BBC investigation into the 'fracas' is to take place next week where he may come face-to-face with Mr Tymon at a disciplinary hearing.

The BBC disciplinary panel will be led by Ken MacQuarrie, the head of BBC Scotland, who carried out the investigation into Newsnight's false expose of Lord McAlpine.

A lawyer for Mr Tymon said his client 'intends to await the outcome of the BBC investigation and will make no comment until that investigation is complete'.

If Clarkson is found to have assaulted Mr Tymon, he could be sacked, placing the £50million-a-year Top Gear franchise in jeopardy.

It could be weeks until his fate is decided and it is understood not all the potential witnesses to the row have yet been contacted ahead of the hearing.

He is scheduled to appear alongside co-hosts James May and Richard Hammond at four live shows in Norway on March 27 and 28 and a decision on whether to go ahead is expected early next week.

All three men's contracts expire three days after the Norway gigs, which could render any disciplinary hearings redundant.

Hotel guests claim Richard Hammond (left) and James May (right) looked 'embarrassed' after the outburst by Clarkson (centre)

The last three episodes of the series have currently been put on hold.

The corporation has apologised to viewers who complained about the postponed episodes.

In a statement it said: 'We do hope you'll understand that we value this reaction, but the investigation is still under way.

'Until more is known, we're therefore unable to say anything further in response and will not yet be making further statements about the issue.

'We realise you'll be disappointed that we can't respond to you in any more detail but thank you for contacting us.'

Clarkson himself has joked about his position, telling reporters he was 'just off to the job centre' and later changing his Twitter profile to read: 'I am probably a presenter on the BBC2 motoring show Top Gear.'

The BBC owns the rights to the Top Gear brand, which is valued at £50 million, and includes the show, DVD rights and live shows, raising the prospect of Top Gear continuing on the BBC while Clarkson takes a similar show to one of its rivals.

More than 886,000 people have signed an online petition to reinstate Clarkson.

All change: The millionaire changed his Twitter profile to say he was 'probbaly' (sic) the presenter of Top Gear

Support: More than 886,000 Clarkson fans have signed a petition demanding the BBC reinstate Clarkson