Jeremy Clarkson Top Gear News: Fired From BBC Show for Physically, Verbally Abusing Show's Producer

A BBC executive has confirmed that the contract of "Top Gear" host Jeremy Clarkson will no longer be renewed after Clarkson hit and verbally abused his producer.

BBC Director-General Tony Hall made the confirmation following Clarkson's suspension for busting "Top Gear" producer Oisin Tymon's lips in an "unprovoked attack" on March 10, BBC reported.

Releasing the finding of an internal investigation into the incident, Hall explained that he had "not taken this decision lightly" and recognized that it would "divide opinion."

"A member of staff – who is a completely innocent party – took himself to Accident and Emergency after a physical altercation accompanied by sustained and prolonged verbal abuse of an extreme nature," Hall said, according to CNN.

"For me a line has been crossed. I know how popular the program is and I also know that this decision will divide opinion," he added.

Ken MacQuarrie, who conducted the investigation, said Tymon had been "subject to an unprovoked physical and verbal attack by Jeremy Clarkson" at a hotel in North Yorkshire after a day of filming.

"During the physical attack Oisin Tymon was struck, resulting in swelling and bleeding to his lip," MacQuarrie said, according to CNN.

The investigator said a witness halted the physical attack that lasted for about 30 seconds even as Clarkson continued using "derogatory and abusive language" on Tymon.

He noted that Clarkson made a number of attempts to apologize over what had happened in the days that followed and reported the incident to BBC management.

"Mr. Tymon did not file a formal complaint and it is understood Clarkson reported himself to BBC bosses following the incident," MacQuarrie said, according to CNN.

The decision caused an outpouring of support from Top Gear fans, with more than a million people signing an online petition to reinstate Clarkson.

Fronted by Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond, "Top Gear" has made a name for itself globally with its risky stunts and a brand of British humor that often toes on the line and regularly steps over it.