ITV and Netflix said to be in pole position to sign the sacked presenter

Jeremy Clarkson celebrated his BBC sacking at a party thrown by millionaire socialite Jemima Goldsmith, MailOnline can exclusively reveal.

The 54-year-old star had dinner and drinks with close friends at the aristocrat's west London mansion hours after he was fired by the BBC for punching Top Gear producer Oisin Tymon over a steak dinner.

Girlfriend Phillipa Sage, chef Heston Blumenthal, comedian Angus Deayton and Boris Johnson's journalist sister Rachel joined him to drown his sorrows - but his Top Gear co-stars James May and Richard Hammond were not there.

Clarkson looked grim-faced as he was hugged outside, leaving for home at around 1am with Ms Sage and Ms Johnson.

It came as police launched an official investigation into the Top Gear punch-up and and interviewed witnesses to the 30-second attack.

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Party: Jeremy Clarkson is hugged as leaves a party thrown by socialite Jemima Goldsmith at her mansion with Rachel Johnson, right

Night out: Clarkson and Ms Sage walk out of the west London mansion as they headed home at around 1am

Support: The star walked to his car with Ms Sage but looked grim-faced rather than jubilant after the party

Friends: Chef Heston Blumenthal and comedian Angus Deayton were among the small group who came to help Clarkson mark his BBC exit

Host: Jemima Goldsmith hugs broadcaster Tim Samuels in a photo believed to have been taken inside the party

The sacked presenter has been close friends with Ms Goldsmith, previously known as Khan because of her marriage to former Pakistan cricket captain Imran Khan, for many years.

In 2011 there were even false rumours they had an affair and she tweeted she was 'trapped in a bloody nightmare' amid incorrect claims intimate photographs existed of her with the presenter.

Friends says she was also a pillar of strength during the recent break-up of his marriage and Ms Sage, 45, has been a feature in Jeremy's life since 2010, while he was still in a relationship with his wife Frances.

Angus Deayton may have been invited to last night's party to give advice to the Top Gear presenter, having been sacked by the BBC as host of Have I Got News for You after a sex and drugs scandal in 2002.

Ms Goldsmith said last night it was not a 'sacking party' and said it had been organised 'weeks' in advance.

Clarkson was sacked by the BBC yesterday and could be arrested by police after giving Oisin Tymon a split lip in a row over a steak dinner at a luxury hotel.

DIY SOS star Nick Knowles may be in the driving seat to be the next presenter of Top Gear because the BBC believe he is a 'safe pair of hands'.

North Yorkshire Police said it has a duty to investigate 'where we believe an offence might have been committed' as experts claimed the Clarkson, 54, may be charged with actual bodily harm.

Mr Clarkson has not been interviewed but officers have asked to speak to Mr Tymon to see if he would like the presenter prosecuted for punching him.

Laugh: Music executive Josh Berger shares a laugh with Rachel Johnson but Clarkson looked down as he walked out with Tim Samuels

Powerful: PR mogul Matthew Freud leaves followed by journalist and stylist Martha Ward

Off home: Rachel Johnson and Phillipa Sage both went back with Clarkson to his home in the early hours

But detectives could still pursue the case even if the producer refuses to complain about being punched.

The force said it was investigating after complaints from 'concerned members of the public' because 'no-one at the hotel during the incident came forward,' a spokesman said.

Former Scotland Yard chief inspector Peter Kirkham believes he may be charged with ABH or common assault, which has a maximum sentence of six months in prison.

The police investigation is unlikely to put off suitors because he would be worth an extra £20million per year to commercial broadcasters, experts said today.

His sacking could cost the BBC up to £67million a year, the amount it makes selling the show in more than 200 countries and add-ons such as live shows and magazine sales.

There is now a bidding war for Clarkson's services, who is likely to take Richard Hammond and James May with him, but despite Rupert Murdoch calling his sacking 'stupid' it appears Sky will not take him on.

James May said today: 'I can't see Jeremy Clarkson having very many serious problems in his working life in the long run. He's extremely good at what he does.'

Meeting: Clarkson was spotted getting on his bike in west London today following a secret talk with co-star James May and Top Gear executive producer Andy Wilman. The trio are said to be planning their next move

Sky are said to have pulled out of the race to sign the star, 54, for a new driving show because bosses fear he is no longer family friendly.

Today, Clarkson was spotted riding his bike near his west London home following a secret meeting with co-star James May and Top Gear boss Andy Wilman.

The presenter was seen being dropped back to his bicycle by Mr Wilman, as James May laughed in the passenger seat. It is not yet known where the trio met exactly, but it is likely they were plotting their next career move.

Following the secret talk, Clarkson collected his bike and cycled back to his home, where he was greeted by a sea of reporters.

Asked what he would like to say to Top Gear fans who may be upset, Clarkson replied: 'Everybody's upset.'

Returning to his home shortly after 3.30pm, the star refused to answer when asked if he was worried about being arrested.

New offers: Jeremy Clarkson, pictured today, is still a man in demand despite his sacking - but Sky are said to have stepped away from signing him because he is not considered family friendly

Instead, he said: 'All I would like to say is ... I wish people would leave Oisin alone because none of this was his fault.'

It came as his final piece in Top Gear magazine was published, which said making a rival show 'isn't hard'.

In an article written before his sacking the star, who is likely mulling over ideas for a new motoring show, told unhappy viewers to 'get off your a*** and help yourself'.

He added that without Top Gear's financial success the BBC would show 'the test card from midnight till dawn.'

A Sky senior source told RadioTimes.com today that the broadcaster was 'not interested' in signing him, adding: 'We couldn't put Jeremy Clarkson on any Sky channels, especially those which are part of a family package deal and then face another controversy round the corner'.

But it may be Netflix – which has a £3.4billion programming budget – who may be best placed to woo Clarkson.

Industry insiders believe that he would be given complete control of any new Top Gear-inspired show.

The online subscription video service does not depend on advertising income, so would allow him free rein to make controversial remarks about cars, without the risk of offending customers.

Clarkson, who is worth £30million, could make much more money than from his previous BBC deal.

Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, tweeted last week: 'Jeremy Clarkson will start his own show syndicated worldwide and own the rights and make a billion dollars. You heard it here first.'

Media commentator Neil Midgley told The Times: 'It would be a really interesting hire for Netflix as Clarkson is one of the very few examples of onscreen British talent who is not a film star but has global appeal, which is what Netflix wants.

'The danger of going to ITV or Sky is that he launches some less than Top Gear programme — a Second Gear — which is a pale imitation and they find that he isn't, in himself, that big a draw.'

BBC creative director Alan Yentob said last night he would not rule out Clarkson returning to the BBC 'but that's not for now'.

Mr Yentob also said he hoped Hammond and May would stay - but this is said to be hanging in the balance after their friend's sacking.

Sources have told MailOnline that ITV are prepared to offer him £10million to sign for them, with Clarkson's executive producer and schoolfriend Andy Wilman having reportedly met with them.

Meeting: James May is believed to have been for a secret meeting with Clarkson and Tog Gear executive Andy Wilman, perhaps to discuss future projects

'Package': James May, pictured earlier today, and Richard Hammond have both hinted that Clarkson's sacking is likely to mean the end of their BBC careers. May said yesterday that the trio 'come as a package'

Close: Clarkson's executive producer and schoolfriend Andy Wilman helped revamp Top Gear and is likely to play a big part in his future projects, perhaps with Netflix

James May again hinted he may leave the BBC.

He said today the BBC's Beeb's decision not to renew Clarkson's contract as 'very harsh' and 'a very big moment in our lives'.

And asked whether he would be staying with Top Gear, May said: 'Not necessarily.'

Speaking outside his west London home today, May said he was yet to speak to Clarkson since yesterday's announcement by the Beeb, but admitted he was 'sad' about the decision.

He also confirmed he would 'not necessarily' be staying with Top Gear, suggesting it was time to 'go back to normal life' after the 'fluke' success of the cult BBC Two show over the last 12 years.

THE BBC MONEY-SPINNER: HOW TOP GEAR MAKES THEM £67M A YEAR The BBC could lose as much as £67million a year now Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson has been sacked. The star helped relaunch the ailing show in 2002, turning it into a worldwide hit. Now the corporation's commercial arm rakes in an estimated £50million a year from selling the rights to Top Gear overseas, with the show watched in 214 countries around the world. On top of that, BBC Worldwide makes millions more from Top Gear Magazine and live shows in the UK and abroad, as well as sales of DVDs. The BBC could lose tens of millions of pounds in annual profit after giving Clarkson his marching orders, with the sale of the show overseas making £50million alone. Top Gear Magazine has a global circulation of 1.7 million, bringing in another estimated £7.4million - not including profit from advertising, as well as the costs of producing and shipping the magazine. The motoring programme was also set to make around £7.35million in sales of tickets to its 14 live shows in the UK this year. The BBC's loss could be another broadcaster's gain, with rivals Sky, ITV and Netflix all set to compete for Clarkson's signature. Advertisement

Asked about Clarkson's sacking, May said: 'Yes, I am sad. We did it for 12 years. It's a very big moment in our lives, but nothing was going to last forever. We always knew it wasn't going to last forever. We just didn't know how it was going to end.

'Things are supposed to end in a whimper so maybe we've broken the mould a bit.'

Asked if he thought Clarkson's sacking was the right decision, he said: 'It was a very harsh one, but I think they were probably forced.

'I don't actually know the entire story. A lot of people are making judgements about it, but they don't know the full story either so I don't know.

'This only happened yesterday. We have to spend a lot of time thinking about what we do next.'

Asked what he planned to do next, May said: 'I don't know. I need to think about it.'

Asked if that was because Clarkson had been dumped, he said: 'It's not just that, I might want to do something completely different with my life, I'm quite old now. (I might do) something outside of cars, I always wanted to be a teacher.'

Asked about the fans' reaction, May said: 'There's been a lot of reaction on social media. I feel for the fans most to be honest because in the end they haven't seen our last three films that we made which we were quite pleased with.

Asked if Clarkson's latest outburst had been the last straw for BBC directors after a string of controversies, May said: 'I don't know really, I don't know how the senior BBC mind works. I'm only a freelance TV presenter and, in many ways, it's all just been a massive fluke.

'I always said that on the day it ends for me I'll have to be magnanimous and look back and say 'well that was a stroke of luck, now back to normal life', and that seems to have happened.

'So here I go, I'm about to eat some beans and go back to my normal life..'

End of an era: Clarkson changed his Twitter biography to say he 'used to be a presenter on Top Gear' while co-star James May also hinted he would leave after changing his to say he was a 'former TV presenter'

Support: Richard Hammond tweeted that it was a 'sad end to an era' in hint that all three will leave the BBC

Expensive decision: Top Gear makes the BBC around £67million a year in sales, shows and other add-ons, an income now under threat after the sacking

Row: Jeremy Clarkson struck producer Oisin Tymon (pictured) in the row over a hot dinner after filming

Last night Rupert Murdoch weighed in on the debate, claiming the BBC would be 'stupid' to fire Clarkson - but Sky sources are said to believe he is not family friendly enough for the broadcaster

A Russian TV channel closely linked to Vladimir Putin has already offered him a job.

The television station is owned by the former Red Army and the proposals conjures an image of the star driving tanks not cars.

An offer the channel posted online stated: 'The Russian Armed Forces Broadcasting Company 'ZVEZDA' expresses deep honour to you and kindly asks for cooperation'.

'MAKING A RIVAL TO TOP GEAR ISN'T HARD', SAYS SACKED CLARKSON Jeremy Clarkson has hit out at Top Gear's detractors and challenged them to make their own rival show in his final column for the programme's magazine. The presenter, 54, wrote the piece before his physical and verbal attack on producer Oisin Tymon came to light and he was dropped by the BBC. But in something of a coincidence, the star, who may be mulling over ideas for a new motoring show to take to another broadcaster following his axing, told unhappy viewers to 'get off your a*** and help yourself'. He told the programme's critics, who he called 'hopeless worms', that instead of moaning that Top Gear should 'go back to the days when it reviewed cars' they should try making their own show. Clarkson added: 'Don't get your knickers in a twist. Don't take to the internet and say our review of the new Lambo was a bit meh (whatever that means) because we didn't take the diffs apart to see how they worked. And that we've been rubbish since 2006. 'If you want the sort of show you like, why not make it yourself?' He said about making a show just for 'hardcore petrolheads': 'We could do that easily. We could talk about fuel economy too. And hire purchase plans. But, if we did, we'd be left with almost no viewers in the UK, and no foreign sales. 'And this would mean less money coming into the BBC, which would mean fewer quality shows about things that really matter on BBC4, and even less sport. And the test card from midnight till dawn.' He added: 'We try to make sure that in the course of a series there's something for everyone, unless they live in north London, eat tofu, think Ed Miliband has a point and wish there was more health and safety in the world. We're not interested in that lot, any more than they are interested in us Advertisement

'We would like to invite you to be a presenter of motoring show on our TV Channel in Moscow.

'We would like to discuss all the details in person so we invite you to visit Moscow at the beginning of April.

A reply seemingly on Clarkson's behalf suggested a Russian style show 'could feature a Tzar in a reasonably priced car'.

Meanwhile, the ousted Top Gear presenter won support from a legislator in Putin's home city of St Petersburg.

'It is upsetting that such a man of principle and an honest journalist is fired,' said Vitaly Milonov, who has led Russia's campaign against 'gay propaganda'.

'I'm sure if Jeremy agrees, he will surely find a job in Russian television.'

The corporation's internal investigation concluded the star, 54, launched an 'unprovoked' 30-second physical attack on Oisin Tymon because he was offered a plate of cold cuts instead of steak and chips.

North Yorkshire Police said it had asked the BBC for its report into the incident in a luxury hotel in the county and said action will be taken against Clarkson 'where necessary'.

Revealing the sacking yesterday, Lord Hall, the Director General of the BBC, said: 'It is with great regret that I have told Jeremy Clarkson that the BBC will not be renewing his contract. It is not a decision I have taken lightly. For me a line has been crossed'.

It emerged last night that Clarkson will still be paid and employed by the BBC until his contract expires at the end of the month.

Based on reports of his estimated £1million annual salary, it means the BBC will have paid him nearly £74,000 from the point he was suspended until the end of March.

The star changed his Twitter biography yesterday afternoon to say he 'used to be a presenter on Top Gear'.

Co-star James May called the decision a 'tragedy' and said he, Clarkson and Richard Hammond 'come as a package', suggesting that all three are now likely to leave the BBC.

May, who was spotted outside his London home in a variety of outfits yesterday, also hinted that his future with Top Gear may be over, after changing his Twitter biography to describe himself as a 'former TV presenter.'

Hammond tweeted shortly afterwards: 'Gutted at such a sad end to an era. We're all three of us idiots in our different ways but it's been an incredible ride together'.

Clarkson was suspended two weeks ago for punching Mr Tymon in the face when he was offered a plate of cold cuts instead of steak and chips after a long day of filming.

The BBC found Clarkson spent 20 minutes verbally abusing the producer in a luxury North Yorkshire hotel before launching a 30-second physical assault that led to another member of staff dragging him away.

Mr Tymon said yesterday after the sacking: 'He is a unique talent and I am well aware that many will be sorry his involvement in the show should end in this way'.