Michael Gambon has admitted that he’s not ‘looking forward’ to Top Gear without Jeremy Clarkson.

The acting veteran, who appeared on the show a number of times and even had a corner of the race track named after him, claims that Clarkson was unfairly ‘dropped’ by the BBC.

During an interview with Simon Mayo about the new Dad's Army film, Gambon was asked whether or not he’d still like his name to be attached to the show.

“I think they should keep it in and make it even better. But I’m not happy about the prospect of that coming on,” he said.

Top Gear Live Tour - in pictures 5 show all Top Gear Live Tour - in pictures 1/5 Back behind the wheel Clarkson behind the wheel of a van (Picture: Stefan Heunis/AFP/Getty) Stefan Heunis/AFP/Getty 2/5 Back in action Jeremy Clarkson makes a gesture as he arrives at the Ticketpro Dome for the Clarkson, Hammond and May Live Show in Johannesburg (Picture: Stefan Heunis/AFP/Getty) STEFAN HEUNIS/AFP/Getty 3/5 Dummy run Clarkson manoeuvring a dummy out of the van (Picture: Stefan Heunis/AFP/Getty) STEFAN HEUNIS/AFP/Getty 4/5 Open up James May filming for the live show (Picture: Stefan Heunis/AFP/Getty) STEFAN HEUNIS/AFP/Getty 5/5 Onwards and upwards Richard Hammond in South Africa (Picture: Stefan Heunis/AFP/Getty) STEFAN HEUNIS/AFP/Getty 1/5 Back behind the wheel Clarkson behind the wheel of a van (Picture: Stefan Heunis/AFP/Getty) Stefan Heunis/AFP/Getty 2/5 Back in action Jeremy Clarkson makes a gesture as he arrives at the Ticketpro Dome for the Clarkson, Hammond and May Live Show in Johannesburg (Picture: Stefan Heunis/AFP/Getty) STEFAN HEUNIS/AFP/Getty 3/5 Dummy run Clarkson manoeuvring a dummy out of the van (Picture: Stefan Heunis/AFP/Getty) STEFAN HEUNIS/AFP/Getty 4/5 Open up James May filming for the live show (Picture: Stefan Heunis/AFP/Getty) STEFAN HEUNIS/AFP/Getty 5/5 Onwards and upwards Richard Hammond in South Africa (Picture: Stefan Heunis/AFP/Getty) STEFAN HEUNIS/AFP/Getty

“I’m addicted to the man before. I love Jeremy and I’m sorry about all that happening.”

Gambon added: “He didn’t deserve it, he just punched someone in the mouth and that was it. So, I think it’s ridiculous.”

When Mayo suggested that he couldn’t really get away with punching someone, the star responded:

“Well you can if the bloke you punched is still friendly with you after a week you’re okay, aren’t you? I think it’s all stupid.”

Despite not looking forward to the show, the actor insisted that ‘Gambon corner’ had to stay in the programme.

“It should be there,” he said. “They’ve got to put it in, it’s part of the life of the series.”

Clarkson dubbed one of the parts of the Top Gear race track ‘Gambon corner’ in honour of the star who went round it on just two wheels during series one.

The new series of Top Gear, fronted by Chris Evans, is set to air in May.