Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson reported himself to the BBC over this week’s alleged “fracas” with one of the show’s producers.
That’s the latest word from the Daily Mirror, which also says Clarkson waited five days before telling BBC television director Danny Cohen that he “forcibly manhandled” Oisin Tymon, the producer involved in the latest controversy, and that the alleged altercation was out of self-interest.
The alleged assault occurred at a hotel at around 10 p.m. on March 4 after a day of filming. Clarkson, co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May, and the rest of the show’s crew was served a platter of cold food. The hotel’s chef had left for the day, which led Clarkson to snap and reportedly punch Tymon for not arranging a hot meal.
Speaking with an insider, the Mirror says Clarkson “realized he had f–ed up and that it was going to get out at some point.” According to a family staying at the same hotel, Clarkson threatened to have Tymon fired and proceeded to rip into him for about half an hour.
Before heading back to the hotel, Clarkson and the team were reportedly drinking rose wine at a bar. James May said he couldn’t recall anything because he was “blind drunk.” The BBC is still investigating the alleged assault and Clarkson’s fate as Top Gear host remains to be seen. As a result of the controversy, the remaining three episodes of Top Gear will not air.
Understandably, the issue has been a sticking point among many Top Gear fans. A petition to have Clarkson reinstated has attracted more than 800,000 signatures since Tuesday.
