BBC’s got news for ‘ axed’ Jeremy... he’s back in quiz

BBC bosses have given Jeremy Clarkson permission to present Have I Got News For You despite not renewing his Top Gear contract.

The controversial star was suspended on March 10 after he attacked Top Gear producer Oisin Tymon, splitting his lip, in a 30- second assault six days earlier.

Clarkson received widespread public support – including from his friend Prime Minister David Cameron – in the aftermath of the “fracas”, and one million people signed a petition calling for the BBC to reinstate him.

But director- general Tony Hall said “a line has been crossed” and “there cannot be one rule for one and one rule for another”.

Clarkson will record his guest star role on the BBC One satirical quiz show, on which he frequently appeared before, on April 23.

A BBC spokeswoman said: “Jeremy’s contract has not been renewed on Top Gear but he isn’t banned from appearing on the BBC.”

Jimmy Mulville from production company Hat Trick, which makes the show, told the Broadcasting Press Guild last month that Clarkson was “a fantastic broadcaster”.

He joked: “Maybe we will get the producer on so he can hit Jeremy Clarkson live on television.”

Clarkson’s wider future remains unclear, although North Yorkshire Police announced yesterday he will not face action over the attack which happened at a remote hotel.

It emerged last week that he will appear with Top Gear’s Richard Hammond and James May later this year to fulfil a series of stage shows planned before he left the BBC.

The events will be stripped of all BBC branding and content however.