Jeremy Clarkson
British television personality Jeremy Clarkson attends the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg football match between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain at Stamford Bridge in London on March 11, 2015. Clarkson has joked he is "off to the Job Centre" as the controversy of his suspension from Top Gear heats up. Getty Images

KEY POINTS

  • BBC director-general: 'I am a fan of Jeremy Clarkson but this is a serious thing'
  • David Cameron on Clarkson: 'Hope this can be sorted, he's a great talent'

Former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson continues to make headlines as he joked that he is "off to the Job Centre" after being suspended by the BBC.

The controversial TV star was suspended for allegedly punching one of the producers of the popular TV show.

He's a friend of mine, he's a huge talent. I see he's said he regrets some of what happened. Because he is a talent and because he does amuse and entertain many people including my children, who'll be heartbroken if Top Gear is taken off air. I hope this can be sorted out because it's a great programme and he's a great talent.
- Prime Minister David Cameron

As he made his way out of his London home to a waiting car, Clarkson responded to questions from reporters saying: "I've been suspended, haven't I? I'm off to the Job Centre."

When asked if he regretted the incident Clarkson said "yes," but when questioned as to whether his suspension was over a food row, he replied saying, "no, no, no."

BBC director-general Tony Hall has said that an investigation into the alleged incident is ongoing.

"The most important thing in anything like this is to gather the facts. We do not have the facts at the moment," said Hall, reported Sky News.

"I am a fan of Jeremy Clarkson but this is a serious thing that is alleged to have taken place."

Prime Minister David Cameron also added his thoughts on Clarkson's suspension saying: "He's a constituent of mine, he's a friend of mine, he's a huge talent. I see he's said he regrets some of what happened.

More about Jeremy Clarkson

"Because he is a talent and because he does amuse and entertain many people including my children, who'll be heartbroken if Top Gear is taken off air, I hope this can be sorted out because it's a great programme and he's a great talent."

Meanwhile, an online petition calling for Clarkson to be reinstated has crashed after receiving 200,000 signatures.

Clarkson was suspended after he was allegedly involved in a "fracas" with producer Oisin Tymon.

He is alleged to have punched Tymon after being told there was no hot food after a day's filming in Newcastle.

"I've said many times before, the man is a k***, but I quite like him. It's all getting a bit ridiculous," joked Top Gear co-presenter James May.