Top Gear, BBC and Jeremy Clarkson
Television presenter Clarkson was suspended by the BBC after a "fracas" with producer Oisin Tymon. Reuters

Jeremy Clarkson has pulled out of hosting the BBC satirical panel show Have I Got News For You?

The 54-year-old was lined up to present the show after being cleared to return to the BBC, less than one month after executives decided not to renew his Top Gear contract following a "fracas" with producer Oisin Tymon.

Clarkson was suspended by the broadcaster for allegedly attacking Tymon at a hotel on 4 March. Following an internal investigation, the BBC confirmed they will not be renewing his contract. Director-general Tony Hall made the decision after ruling "a line has been crossed" stating "there cannot be one rule for one and one rule for another".

On reflection, Jeremy Clarkson has decided not to host Have I Got News For You. We fully expect him to resume his hosting duties later in the year.
- Jimmy Mulville, managing director of Hat Trick Productions

The Have I Got News For You guest presenting role would have been the disgraced star's first TV appearance since his public sacking.

Jimmy Mulville, managing director of Hat Trick Productions which makes the show, confirmed the news saying: "On reflection, Jeremy Clarkson has decided not to host Have I Got News For You. We fully expect him to resume his hosting duties later in the year."

The show was due to be recorded on April 23 and broadcast the following evening.

The announcement comes just days after a BBC spokeswoman confirmed the Have I Got News For You appearance could go ahead, explaining: "Jeremy's contract has not been renewed on Top Gear but he isn't banned from appearing on the BBC.

Clarkson has been a frequent guest host of Have I Got News For You ever since its original main presenter Angus Deayton left the show in 2002.

The popular TV personality is due to on stage with his former Top Gear colleagues, Richard Hammond and James May, later this year to fulfil a series of live performances planned before he left the BBC.

The gigs, which will be held in Australia, Norway, South Africa and the UK, will not feature any BBC content or branding and will be billed as Clarkson, Hammond and May Live.

The move has sparked rumours that the three men intend to team up to continue their careers together after Clarkson's exit from the corporation, but sources close to the tour say it is just a matter of fulfilling commitments to the fans.

The future of the show's Hammond and May also remains unclear, since both their Top Gear contracts have run out.

Clarkson has vowed to continue working after being dismissed from the BBC.

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