Yesterday the BBC made the sad news of Jeremy Clarkson’s firing official. Clarkson’s contract will not be renewed due to punching Oisin Tymon in addition to verbally abusing the Top Gear producer. Ken MacQuarrie who lead the investigation by the BBC said Tymon was “subject to an unprovoked physical and verbal attack by Jeremy Clarkson” at a hotel in North Yorkshire after a day of filming. MacQuarrie went on stating, “During the physical attack Oisin Tymon was struck, resulting in swelling and bleeding to his lip.”

To all of us Gear Heads, Petrol Heads or whatever you want to call us Automotive Enthusiasts, this is very sad news. Top Gear is one of the most popular TV shows worldwide. And Clarkson had been a part of it since 1988. The show went through a reformatting in 2002. With the additions of Richard Hammond and later James May, the show grew in popularity. It reached out and entertained just about everyone. One of my best friends loves the show, and she knows little to nothing about cars.

Unfortunately as you grow in popularity the scrutiny from the media and public grows as well. Clarkson was no stranger to controversy. In no particular order Clarkson managed to offend many people during his tenure on Top Gear. He offended Truck (Lorry) Drivers by making a joke about them killing prostitutes. He managed to upset the Prime Minister of Malaysia when he described the Perodua Kelisa as, “The worst car in the world built by people who wear leaves for shoes.” Even blind people took exception to Clarkson’s joke about Gordon Browne, who is blind in one eye, calling him a “1 eyed idiot.” There was his very public feud with Piers Morgan which eventually escalated to Clarkson punching the journalist/TV personality. Recently Top Gear got in hot water for some comments made about Mexicans. There was perceived racist “slope” comment he made during the “Bridge Over The River Cock” Special. And we all know about the License Plate (Number Plate) incident in Argentina. Of which Clarkson was at the center of. What turned out to be Clarkson’s final warning came after Clarkson was accused of using a racist remark in unaired clip for Top Gear. Clarkson himself denies using the word and called it, “the most racist word of them all.” Clarkson would later describe the word as “a word I loathe.” Clarkson insists he didn’t use the word, however he apologized profusely anyway.

What made Clarkson so entertaining ultimately played a part in his undoing. Clarkson was strongly opinionated and lacked the filter that so many TV personalities have these days. Regardless of the issue, you knew where Clarkson stood; he isn’t a man that lives in the gray area. Often times he made you laugh while he told you where he was on a particular issue. Sadly this often times gets you in hot water with the media and public. Do I think Clarkson is a perfect person? No. But I do think a lot of his public issues were blown out of proportion. Unfortunately when you put his past together with the incident on March 4th it became more than the BBC was willing to tolerate.

Tony Hall, Director General of the BBC, released the following statement: “It is with great regret that I have told Jeremy Clarkson today that the BBC will not be renewing his contract. It is not a decision I have taken lightly. I have done so only after a very careful consideration of the facts and after personally meeting both Jeremy and Oisin Tymon.”

You can read the full statement here: BBC Releases Statement on Clarkson

So what’s next? For now, the remainder of the current Top Gear Season has been canceled. So has the Top Gear Live show in Norway. There are numerous scenarios that can play out from here. It is still unclear if Clarkson’s co-presenters, May and Hammond will remain with Top Gear. Neither has commented publicly on what they officially intend to do. Even if May and Hammond stick with the BBC, replacing Clarkson is no easy task. The biggest reason Top Gear is so successful is the rapport between the 3 stars. Their personalities and give and take among each other is what set Top Gear apart from any other motoring show.

Names like BBC Radio personality, Chris Evans, Model/TV Personality, Jodie Kidd Actor Rowan Atkinson and German Racing Driver Sabine Schmitz. Evans has repeatedly denied any interest in the Top Gear Vacancy. Stating reports to the contrary are, “absolutely nonsense.” Jodie Kidd would be an interesting fit. She’s an absolute car nut and she set a superbly fast lap in the Reasonably Priced Car. She’s even been on a car themed show on Brittan’s Channel 5. While he clearly has the comedy and driving chops, many consider Atkinson too nerdy for the role. Schmitz is easily the most interesting of the bunch. The “Queen of the Ring” has appeared on Top Gear on numerous occasions. She obviously has the driving chops, and has a rapport (albeit a small one) with May and Hammond.

Regardless of who it is, there is no replacing Jeremy Clarkson. He was one of a kind. I believe the show can survive without him but will never be the same again. That reason maybe why May and Hammond haven’t publicly declared their intentions yet. There is a growing rumor swirling around that has the mighty BBC genuinely worried. Clarkson, May and Hammond might (again, MIGHT) take their wildly successful Top Gear formula and go to another Broadcaster. Neither of the 3 have even hinted at that possibility yet. For me and probably all of you, that is the best case scenario.