Jeremy Clarkson to return to BBC as Have I Got News for You guest presenter

Jeremy Clarkson has been cleared to return to the BBC less than one month after executives decided not to renew his Top Gear contract.

The presenter has been given the go-ahead to guest present the satirical news quiz Have I Got News For You despite losing his job at the popular BBC 2 programme following a "fracas" with producer Oisin Tymon.

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

However, after some confusion over whether Clarkson will still be able host the third episode of Have I Got News For You as scheduled, it now appears Clarkson has permission to film the show, which is due to be broadcast on 7 May.

A BBC spokesperson said: "Jeremy's contract has not been renewed on Top Gear but he isn't banned from appearing on the BBC."

Jimmy Mulville, managing director of Have I Got News For You producer Hat Trick, previously spoke of how he hopes Clarkson will continue to be able to present the show as they "always have a field day" with him.

"Maybe we will get the producer on so he can hit Jeremy Clarkson live on television," he added.

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.

Elsewhere, Clarkson was told he will not face police action over the incident with Tymon at the Simonstone Hotel near Hawes in Yorkshire after the producer said he did not want to take action.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson added: "However, at that point we still needed to speak to some members of the public who were present at the time of the incident, who had been affected by the event, and whose views also needed to be considered.

"Now that all the interviews are complete, we have properly established that there is no need for further police action."

Clarkson is also set to appear with his former Top Gear presenters James May and Richard Hammond at a series of live performances organised before he left the show.

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.