JEREMY CLARKSON HAS pulled out of his much-anticipated guest-hosting appearance on satirical BBC news quiz Have I Got News For You.
The former Top Gear presenter, who had his role on that show terminated last month after a much-publicised assault on Clarkson’s behalf on Irish show producer Oisín Tymon, has been in the headlines pretty much constantly ever since.
The latest twist in the saga comes after a ‘period of reflection’ on Clarkson’s part. The bombastic host had been due to record the show on 23 April for broadcast the following day.
Managing Director of Hat Trick Productions, the company that produces Have I Got News For You, Jimmy Mulville said Clarkson had decided not to appear as host on this occasion.
However, the door has not been shut on future appearances for the controversial star.
“We fully expect him to resume his hosting duties later in the year,” said Mulville.
Clarkson has been one of the most prolific guest hosts of Have I Got News For You since its only permanent presenter Angus Deayton left the show in 2002.
He last chaired the show in April 2014.
Meanwhile, the Great British Bake Off’s Sue Perkins has emerged as the one of the main favourites to replace Clarkson on Top Gear, which remains one of the BBC’s most lucrative productions, particularly in the overseas market where its format has been sold to countless countries.
Perkins has since denied the rumours on Twitter, but with this particular story you can never say never.
Chris Evans, model Jodie Kidd and Guy Martin are also thought to be potential candidates.
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