TV presenter Sue Perkins has said she is taking a break from Twitter after she received threats over rumours that she would take over as host of Top Gear after Jeremy Clarkson was sacked.

A large number of bets last week saw the Bake Off presenter installed as the favourite to take the role after Clarkson’s contract was not renewed by the BBC earlier this month.

Announcing the sacking last month, BBC director-general Lord Hall said that Clarkson had failed to maintain“standards of decency and respect” whilst working after an “unprovoked physical and verbal attack” on producer Oisin Tymon.

This morning, someone suggested they’d like to see me burn to death. — Sue Perkins (@sueperkins) April 14, 2015

Tweeting this morning, Perkins said: “Guys, post the utterly fabricated story about me & Top Gear, my timeline has been full of blokes wishing me dead…” “This morning, someone suggested they’d like to see me burn to death,” she said in a separate message. She went on: “All of which goes to say that I am off Twitter for a bit. Love and peace x.”

All of which goes to say that I am off Twitter for a bit. Love and peace x — Sue Perkins (@sueperkins) April 14, 2015

A number of fans tweeted their support for the Bake Off star including former Radio 1 presenter Fearne Cotton, who said: “there are some awful and sad humans out there. How pathetic. ps you absolutely rock!”

Clarkson is already set for his BBC return less than a month after being sacked for punching a producer in an “unprovoked” attack, as he will host an episode of Have I Got News for You.

Top Gear will continue, although it is unclear whether James May and Richard Hammond will remain.

‘Secret Eaters’ presenter Anna Richardson in January confirmed she is in a relationship with Perkins, much to the delight of fans.