Jeremy Clarkson, 'Top Gear' Host, Suspended by BBC After 'Fracas'

The BBC has suspended “Top Gear” host Jeremy Clarkson pending an investigation after a “fracas” with a producer of the motoring show.

The BBC didn’t give details about the incident. The controversial host was given a final warning last year after being accused of using a racial slur while filming.

The show will not be broadcast on Sunday.

The Guardian reported that the incident involved Clarkson allegedly throwing a punch at a male producer. He has a reputation for frequent offensive comments, and in an incident last year, the “Top Gear” crew was chased out of Argentina over an offensive license plate.

Fans quickly rallied behind Clarkson, with Guido Fawkes launching a petition urging the BBC to reinstate the host. The petition had about 44,000 supporters as of Tuesday afternoon and sparked the hashtag #BringBackClarkson on social media.

“Top Gear” is the most-watched factual TV show in the world, with an estimated 350 million viewers in 214 countries, The Independent reported.

Clarkson joined the show in 1988.

Twitter users shared mixed reactions.

Dear @BBC thank you for getting Jeremy Clarkson off of my TV screen, keep him suspended for as long as you like x

— Sam Puncher (@sam_puncher) March 10, 2015

Jeremy Clarkson suspended?! Top Gear is nothing without him.

— Joe Cullen (@JoeCullen__) March 10, 2015

So can we bring @JeremyClarkson to the US version of #TopGear and make it... I dunno... watchable? #FreeJeremyClarkson

— Judge You Harshly (@JudgeYouHarshly) March 10, 2015

When I met @JeremyClarkson he was sound + was going out of his way to spend time talking to disabled ppl in the audience #FreeTheClarksonOne

— Phil Burton (@philburton) March 10, 2015

I don't care what @JeremyClarkson said or did he's a legend! I need #TopGear on my tv on Sunday! Do the right thing BBC #jeremyclarkson

— Katie O'Donoghue (@katieod88) March 10, 2015

Wow seems there's no @_BBCTopGear this weekend because @JeremyClarkson has been suspended. Frankly that's what I call a 'win win' scenario.

— Paul Martin (@DeepingRed) March 10, 2015

I'm available. #TopGear

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 10, 2015

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