Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Jeremy Clarkson jokes about 'f**king BBC' giving him the sack as Bring Back Clarkson petition is shy of 1 million signatures

The Top Gear presenter addressed the audience at a charity gala

Helen Nianias
Friday 20 March 2015 10:12 GMT
Comments
(Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Jeremy Clarkson hinted that he's ready to hang up his driving gloves for good during an off-hand joke about the BBC getting rid of him.

Talking to the crowd at the Roundhouse Gala on Thursday night, a nostalgic Clarkson was filmed by The Mirror saying: "I thought: 'I'll go down to Surrey and I'll do one last lap of that track before the f**king b**tards sack me.'

He added: "It was a great show and they've f**ked it up. Tonight's the night when you have the opportunity to... and I'll be a bit tearful."

The presenter was auctioning off what he described as his final lap of the Top Gear track.

"I don't know when I did my last lap of the Top Gear test track before the f**king BBC sacked me."

Clarkson's timing, however, seems premature. The presenter and columnist has not been formally dismissed by the corporation, but has been suspended.

An investigation into his behaviour during a "fracas" over hot food is ongoing, with the BBC set to announce the outcome next week.

On Friday morning, the Change.org "Bring Back Clarkson" petition was nearly 13,000 signatures shy of the 1 million target. The petition to reinstate the presenter to the BBC motoring programme was started by political blogger Guido Fawkes, aka Paul Staines.

Clarkson's time at the BBC is far from over as he's due to present Have I Got News For You next month.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in