Jeremy Clarkson suspended and Top Gear's broadcasts halted after he punched a producer

The news broke just a few hours ago. Jeremy Clarkson, one of the best-known presenters in the global motoring world, has been suspended from his job at the BBC, the broadcaster that airs the popular motoring show.

It seems the matter is far more significant than it might initially appear, as there is a possibility that Clarkson will leave the programme permanently.

The controversial British figure, who has become a genuine global star, may have exhausted the patience of the producers and the British broadcaster after accumulating too many incidents, some of which have even had international repercussions.

Focusing on the latest one, the matter concerns the recording of a special episode in Newcastle. The presenter, who was staying at a hotel in the area, began to grow irritated by the delay in dinner being served. When, a few minutes later, one of the producers approached Clarkson to offer an explanation, Jeremy greeted him with a forceful punch. Following this violent incident, the rest is history.

The matter was immediately reported to the broadcaster, which launched an investigation at once; at the time of writing, that investigation is proceeding normally. Jeremy Clarkson has been suspended from his job at the broadcaster, while the producers have decided to suspend the broadcasts of Top Gear, which was currently in the middle of its 22nd season. According to the broadcaster, no one else has been suspended, so the programme’s other two presenters (James May and Richard Hammond) are now awaiting further developments.

This is not the first incident the popular presenter has been involved in: in 2010 he caused a diplomatic incident with Mexico after disparaging its people, something he has also done with other countries such as Japan and India. However, Jeremy’s popularity appears to remain strong among the public, and within less than 24 hours several initiatives have emerged calling for Clarkson’s return, including a petition that, at the time of writing, has already surpassed 250,000 signatures.

Source: | Daily Mail