LONDON, England - The BBC on Wednesday (March 25 2015) fired Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson after finding he had physically attacked a producer.
Clarkson built a global fan base while repeatedly causing offence with strongly worded and very non-PC views.
The fate of the Top Gear presenter had been the subject of speculation since his suspension on March 10 after what the BBC described as "a fracas".
'LINE HAS BEEN CROSSED'
The BBC said Clarkson assaulted producer Oisin Tymon, resulting in his lip swelling and bleeding, and subjected him to "prolonged verbal abuse of an extreme nature". Tymon later went to hospital. it is now known if he laid an assault charge with the police.
BBC director-general Tony Hall said: "It is with great regret that I have told Jeremy Clarkson today that the BBC will not be renewing his contract. For me a line has been crossed. There cannot be one rule for one and one rule for another dictated either by rank or public relations and commercial considerations."
TOYOTA TRIBUTE
Following Clarkson being dropped by the BBC, Toyota released a video, titled 'Jeremy's best bits', on YouTube highlighting the Top Gear presenter's attempt to destroy a Toyota Hilux - an iconic moment in this history of motoring journalism - by driving it down stone steps and through a shed, parking it under the sea and eventually lifting it to near the top of a building, which was then blown up.
The Toyota just "kept going right", starting (a couple of times with a little spannerwork) and being driven away each time.
Toyota said: "Thanks for everything Jeremy. It has been smashing."
Here's hoping other automakers follow suit.