London, England - Sacking Jeremy Clarkson was the easy part. Keeping the £150 million (R2.65 billion) global Top Gear brand on the road looks like a new headache for the BBC after the axed presenter's colleagues suggested they could follow him out of the door.
Clarkson's contract will not be renewed after an internal BBC investigation concluded that the presenter launched a sustained “unprovoked physical and verbal attack” on producer, Oisin Tymon, when he was informed that there was no hot food available at a Yorkshire hotel after filming. He could also face a police investigation after North Yorkshire Police said it had asked for the BBC report.
Tony Hall, the BBC Director-General who made the decision, admitted that rebooting Top Gear with a new team “would be a big challenge and there is no point in pretending otherwise”.
It could be a challenge too far for Clarkson’s sidekicks Richard Hammond and James May, with the departure of the man who turned a previously cancelled series into a cash-cow.
Although Clarkson’s £1 million (R17.64 million) a year deal runs out next week, Clarkson also has a second seven-figure contract with BBC Worldwide, the corporation's commercial wing.
Worldwide agreed the deal when it paid £8.4 million (R148 million) for Clarkson's stake in a joint venture which had owned the commercial rights to Top Gear, which has been sold into 214 territories. Worldwide has axed two Top Gear Live shows this week but thousands of ticket-holders are still expecting to see Clarkson reunited with Hammond and May at a series of huge arena events in South Africa, Australia and the UK.
‘HIGH-RISK DECISION‘
A Worldwide spokesman said the BBC was “working through the implications of Wednesday's announcement with our partner Brand Events and will make a statement on the Live tour as soon as possible.”
A source close to the event said the Top Gear live arena show at the Dome in Johannesburg from 12 - 14 June would go ahead but who the presenters would be, would depend on the outcome of the negotiations between BBC Worldwide and Brand Events.
A source close to Clarkson said he was talking to his lawyers. Will Burrows, head of employment at law firm LHS, said: “It's a high-risk decision by the BBC and Clarkson's legal team will be locked in negotiation with the corporation to decide what happens to the enormous amount of money generated from Top Gear as a result of Clarkson's involvement in the brand.
“The Beeb has not only lost one of its most popular and commercially lucrative presenters but potentially his colleagues Richard Hammond and James May, too.”
Clarkson's future may lie in the US - there were rumours that the online platform Netflix could build a show around him. ITV is a possible destination if he remains in Britain.
Rupert Murdoch tweeted: “How stupid can BBC be in firing Jeremy Clarkson? Funny man with great expertise and huge following”, prompting speculation that Sky could make an approach - although some within Sky are sceptical that Clarkson's reputation would be good for network.
The BBC is seeking a new host who can maintain Top Gear's irreverence without indulging in the racial slurs. Chris Evans, a favoured candidate, appeared to rule himself out. He said: “Regardless of whether it would be a hit, I'm voting a no for myself.”
Other names in the frame include Stephen Fry, Steve Coogan as Alan Partridge, Jodie Kidd, Suzi Perry, Piers Morgan and Dermot O'Leary.
The Independent
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