London: In his first BBC interview since his dismissal, Jeremy Clarkson said the fracas that led to his departure was his own “silly” fault.
He said he was sad to leave the corporation, but had not been “in talks” with other broadcasters.
Clarkson was giving his first interview to the BBC since his dismissal two months ago after attacking a producer on the Top Gear set.
The presenter said he was sad to leave the show, which he called his “baby”, and confirmed that Top Gear fans would get a chance to see the final three episodes of the last series, which were cut following his on-set “fracas”.
Speaking about leaving the show, he said: “It was my own silly fault, but I can hardly complain. I was at the BBC for 27 years and did Top Gear for 12, and it was very much my baby and I worked all through the night on it.”
He added that he would “never complain” about the BBC. “There are some dreadful people there, but there are some really talented people in it.”
The presenter joked that he, Richard Hammond and James May were set to do a new show about flower arranging, before discussing his future plans.
“I have been listening (to broadcasters) on the telephone or video conference, I haven’t had a single meeting.”
He said he had only “listened” to US broadcasters about doing a programme, but had not entered into a discussion with them.
Clarkson told Top Gear fans not to hold their breath about the three final episodes from the latest series that have yet to be shown on TV, saying “to be honest, they weren’t the strongest films we’ve ever done”.
He said the episodes were being edited and would be shown in the near future. “If you’ve paid for the licence fee, you will have a right to see them. There will be one last hurrah.” – The Independent