Top Gear Host Jeremy Clarkson Fired for Unprovoked Attack on Producer

After being suspended from "Top Gear" for several weeks, program host Jeremy Clarkson was fired by the BBC management for carrying out an unprovoked physical and verbal attack on Oisin Tymon, one of the show's producers.

The attack took place on March 4 in the Simonstone Hall Hotel in North Yorkshire, which sent Tymon to the hospital with a bloodied lip.

Clarkson attacked Tymon after he complained that he was not provided with hot food in the hotel after a day of filming. The physical assault on Tymon reportedly lasted for about 30 seconds.

After a witness restrained Clarkson, the latter reportedly continued mouthing expletives at his producer and members of the production team. He also threatened to have Tymon sacked from the show and even left him believing that he had already lost his job.

However, following the unprovoked attack, it was not Tymon who filed the complaint to the BBC management but Clarkson. The TV host also tried to apologize to Tymon in the days that followed.

After an internal investigation, the BBC suspended Clarkson. On Tuesday, the BBC announced that Clarkson's contract as presenter which expired this month will not be renewed.

BBC Director General Tony Hall, in a statement, said the decision was "not taken lightly," admitting that it would "divide opinion." Hall said "a line has been crossed and there cannot be one rule for one and one rule for another dictated by either rank or public relations or commercial considerations."

Following Clarkson's suspension from the show, a public petition for the BBC to reinstate Clarkson was launched at Change.org. The petition has so far attracted over a million signatures. The petition was even delivered to the BBC in a tank, but it seemed the news organization did not take that into consideration.

In its statement, the BBC acknowledged Clarkson's popularity as a host, saying the management would have to seriously consider whether or not to renew "Top Gear" for another year.

Clarkson's departure could bring about the end of "Top Gear" as his co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May have indicated that they were all part of a "package."

Clarkson's troubles appear far from over as the police have obtained the internal report from the BBC on the mauling incident and are reviewing it to determine whether a case could be filed against the TV presenter.