He's on a win win whatever happens. If the BBC keep him on he'll carry on earning plenty, if they sack him he'll probably earn more elsewhere, if he retires I'm sure he's got enough wealth to keep him going until he pops his clogs. No wonder he's sat in beer gardens laughing his pants off.

Clarkson was sounded out about running for London Mayor some time ago. It really is a frightening prospect if he does decide to enter politics.

Seems like one of his co-stars was less than enthused about the petition:

James May ‏@MrJamesMay Mar 11

Save Clarkson? Save empty cardboard boxes and off-cuts of string. They're far more useful.

The programme he did on Brunel was superb - he is a very good TV journalist pity he is such a bell-end

the fact people are even bothered shows he is one of the best journalists around. If you don't like cars and want the world to be covered in rose petals then I can understand not liking him. As far as doing his job, HUGE tick in the box

Folk seem to want to make judgements based on scant information.
There's smacking someone and then there's handbags ... which was this?
Perhaps someone in the know could tell me.

Smacking someone and he should be toast.
A kerfuffle and perhaps not.

I like the program.
Three blokes dicking about with cars and being laddish ...it's funny.

Clarkson is quite clever from what I can see.
He seems quick-witted on the set of Top Gear when chatting with celeb drivers.

I can think of bigger dicks, far bigger.

I think some folk who hate the guy are jumping in.

The Sin Bin. Where there is a general loathing of anyone who is middle class and has a few quid. Regardless of where they started from, how hard they have worked, or how they made their money.

Ooh look, another apologist for the privileged. I know exactly where he came from. We are the same age & grew up about 2 miles apart. I never mentioned class, by most measures I suppose I would be judged middle class. Being spoiled & privileged is different & is important how you use & abuse that position.

His ability to do his job is irrelevant. If Wayne Rooney assaulted someone off the pitch I am sure David Cameron & various establishment toadies would be arguing for his absolution on the basis he is a great footballer. Even Clarkson would use his newspaper column to propose forgiveness.

Oh great, where's Standee?

I have a general loathing of anyone who appears to be "one of the lads", while conveniently omitting their private education. Stig wasn't named after Stig of the Dump, it was the name Repton schoolboys used for junior fags. He's as much a "man of the people" as Nigel Farage and equally as much a complete dick

Farage is a complete dick. Clarkson does a very good job of playing the part of one on TV and he's clearly acted like a massive dick in his private life.

But bitching about Clarkson's private education makes you an even bigger dick than both of them combined. Virtually no one else on this planet will have given a seconds thought to Clarkson's education.

I agree, trying to connect someone's behaviour with their type of education is hardly scientific.
I could be wrong.
Or put another way ... Why can't someone be one of the lads from any type of background?
What are the qualifications to be ...'one of the lads'?

Its possible that Clarkson is engineering his exit having milked Top Gear while he could. A few years ago as part of his contract he persuaded the BBC to hand over the major part of the rights to the Top Gear brand. A joint venture company was formed with the shares divided as Clarkson 60%, BBC 20%, Andy Wilman 20%. Having taken many millions in dividends over the years ( in excess of £15m ), Clarkson sold his shares to the BBC for £14m late last year so now has no financial interest in Top Gear apart from his presenters salary. Maybe he doesn't give a flying one now that he doesn't own it ?