Top Gear's Richard Hammond and James May REFUSED to film without Jeremy Clarkson

Top Gear could have continued while Jeremy Clarkson was suspended – but James May and Richard Hammond refused to do the show without him.

A BBC executive revealed *discussions were held about putting out the final few episodes with mainly recorded segments and the two co-stars filming the studio parts.

But the source said: “They didn’t want to do it without Jeremy so the talks didn’t get off the ground.

"There is a feeling that it is all of them or none of them.”

Clarkson is suspended while an investigation is held into his bust-up with Top Gear producer Oisin Tymon, who was left with a split-lip after the presenter laid into him about the lack of a hot meal in the Yorkshire hotel where they were staying.

The *controversial host’s fate lies with BBC Director General Tony Hall and not head of TV Danny Cohen as was previously suggested.

And the insider accused certain figures of pressurising Cohen to wrap up the probe.

The source added: “We must play *everything with a straight bat but it is very frustrating while Clarkson’s friends continue to pour pressure on the BBC.

“Danny is getting on with his job as best he can but it is not easy.

“Our priority has to be the person who has allegedly been attacked but we are between a rock and a hard place in all of this.

“There is no way everyone is going to be happy whatever is decided.”

Clarkson, 54, and 36-year-old Oisin have both given their accounts of the incident to investigation chief Ken MacQuarrie, head of BBC Scotland.

Both are thought to have had lawyers present.

Mr MacQuarrie will also speak to witnesses.

Clarkson’s spokesman refused to comment on the claims and Oisin did not respond.

This is the latest in a long line of controversies which has seen the presenter offend foreign diplomats, viewers, MPs and his own bosses at the BBC.

Clarkson was put on what was called his final warning last year following a racism row after claims he used the N-word while reciting the nursery rhyme Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe during filming of the BBC2 programme.

But he is due to be back on the BBC next month presenting the third episode of the new series of panel show Have I Got News For You.

“We always have a field day with Jeremy," said Jimmy Mulville, managing director of Have I Got News For You producer Hat Trick.

"Maybe we will get the producer on so he can hit Jeremy Clarkson live on television.”

A petition to reinstate Clarkson - started by right-wing blogger Guido Fawkes - has amassed a whopping 960,000 signatures.

Last week he spoke out to thank the fans who have signed, saying: "I am very grateful to everybody."

Meanwhile nearly 16,000 people have signed a petition calling for Alan Partridge to replace Clarkson on Top Gear.

According to campaigners, the iconic fictional character, played by comic Steve Coogan, has "a strong track record for broadcast presenting" and "a passion for cars".

Jeremy Clarkson Offered Chance To Return To Top Gear

ccording to Daily Mail, BBC has offered Jeremy Clarkson a chance to return as the lead host of Top Gear.

After the fracas with the producer, Clarkson was suspended by BBC until further internal investigation and the show had to be eventually called of. This came in as a big blow to Top Gear fans and an online petition to reinstate Clarkson was started, which now has been signed by over a million people. The removal of Clarkson may have costed BBC a large chunk of viewers.

Now the Daily Mail has reported that BBC have agreed to bring back Clarkson but on one condition. He will be monitored by an executive so that there won’t be any further controversial incidences. Clarkson is set to meet up with the top officials of the BBC in the coming week and it is not clear if he is willing to accept this condition, which seems like a creative hindrance.

BBC dealt with another blow when the other two presenters, Richard Hammond and James May, declined to work on the remaining three episodes without Clarkson.

Stay tuned as we will keep you updated on this news.

Suspended Jeremy Clarkson 'will be sacked by BBC tomorrow after Top Gear fracas'

Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson will be sacked tomorrow after a BBC investigation has found the did physically attack a producer on the popular show, according to a new report.

The Director General of the BCC, Lord Hall, is expected to make the announcement on Wednesday after an internal investigation was conducted during Clarkson’s recent suspension from the BBC show, the Telegraph has reported.

On Tuesday, the newspaper reported that 54-year-old Clarkson will be thanked for his contribution to the popular car show, but that his recent behaviour is unacceptable at the BBC.

Despite the alleged expected departure of Clarkson, the BBC plans to continue to broadcast Top Gear on BBC2, and is already reportedly speaking to new hosts.

The Telegraph claims that senior executives at the BBC have approached Radio 2 Breakfast Show host Chris Evans about taking over the reigns despite him insisting that he will not replace Clarkson.

Lord Hall is expected to praise Clarkson for his work on the show and call him a “brilliant broadcaster” in his announcement.

It is unclear at this time whether his fellow hosts James May and Richard Hammond will stay on the programme.

Clarkson is said to be contemplating a deal with Netflix, the home of huge TV shows such as Breaking Bad, Orange is the New Black and House of Cards as it continues to become increasingly popular around the world.

Speaking today, the suspended BBC host has said he does not expect to find anything out today about his future at the corporation.

The star has been left in limbo for two weeks since the BBC announced his suspension following what it described as "a fracas" with producer Oisin Tymon.

Clarkson and Mr Tymon have given evidence to an internal BBC investigation, led by Ken MacQuarrie, into what happened and the star's future is expected to be decided this week.

Clarkson left his London flat in a taxi around 4.40pm and when asked if he had heard from the BBC today he told reporters: "Nothing. Not a sausage."

He added: "So I'm really sorry but I don't think you're going to find anything out today."

Earlier this week, we reported that his fate of is set to be decided imminently, according to one of the corporation's senior executives who said the allegations had to be "dealt with in a very serious way".

Clarkson has been left in limbo for two weeks since the BBC announced his suspension following what it described as "a fracas" with producer Oisin Tymon.

Both Clarkson and Tymon have given evidence to an internal BBC investigation, led by Ken MacQuarrie, into what happened and the star's future is expected to be decided this week.

Radio 1 controller Ben Cooper said: "I think if my son or daughter went to a place of work where they were shouted at, abused and someone threw a punch at them I would want there to be an inquiry and for that to be dealt with in a very serious way and that's what the BBC is currently doing."

Speaking to reporters on Monday, he said he thought a decision was "about 24 hours away".

A BBC spokesman said: "No decision has been made. When we have an outcome we will announce it."

Clarkson, alongside co-hosts James May and Richard Hammond, was scheduled to take part in four live Top Gear shows in Norway this week, but it was announced on Sunday they had been postponed.

On the same day, Clarkson described his week as "turbulent" and claimed he was joking when he appeared to criticise BBC bosses during an expletive-laden rant at a charity event.

The beleaguered presenter had appeared to suggest he may be sacked from the BBC Two show and criticised the corporation's executives.

Clarkson said that he was told off by his lawyer after his on-stage speech at the charity gala in north London was captured on video.

But he said in The Sunday Times that it had all been in good humour, writing: "It was all meant in jest and anyway it worked.

"By being brief, controversial and a bit sweary I woke the room up and the auction prize I was offering - one last lap of the Top Gear test track - raised £100,000."

Clarkson had told those gathered at the charity event: "To be in the audience of Top Gear there was an 18-year waiting list. You know the BBC has f*themselves, and so who gives a f***?

"It was a great show and they f* it up."

He is reported to be considering new shows, including a programme about a novice trying to run a farm.

Clarkson tweeted his thanks to supporters of a petition, delivered by tank to BBC headquarters in London on Friday, but declared in his column in The Sun that "protest never works".

Meanwhile, with money-spinning show Top Gear off air during the internal investigation, May has been tweeting about getting to grips with life without work to distract him.

He wrote at the weekend: "Woodwork tasks today. Being jobless allows you to revisit old interests, learn new things, and listen to the radio more. Sold the telly."

May had previously told his fans: "I've been given some heavy gardening work today. Temptation to cut my own head off with the chainsaw may prove too strong. #StillUnemployed."

The corporation's internal investigation into Clarkson's conduct is being handed over to the director-general, and could be resolved as early as tomorrow.

The BBC has not commented on when the investigation will be completed but it is understood that they want it finished as soon as possible.

... Clarkson described his week as "turbulent" and claimed he was joking when he appeared to criticise BBC bosses during an expletive-laden rant at a charity event.