BBC Sacks Jeremy Clarkson as Top Gear Host

The BBC has fired Jeremy Clarkson, the outspoken co-host of its hugely popular Top Gear auto enthusiast TV show.

Clarkson, 54, was suspended on March 10 for punching producer Oisin Tymon and subjecting him to "prolonged verbal abuse of an extreme nature." The altercation occurred at a hotel where the Top Gear team had gone to shoot a segment on location. British media reports say Clarkson was miffed that he couldn't get a late-night hot meal.

Clarkson had received a final disciplinary warning last year for using racist language during the show's filming. Over the years he has managed to offend a long list of groups. Fans like his deliberately provocative humor. Detractors find him gratuitously offensive.