Former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson has unleashed a fresh and extraordinary broadside against the BBC, a full decade after his acrimonious departure from the broadcaster.
A Decade of Resentment Fuels New Critique
Clarkson, 65, was ousted from the BBC in 2015 following a now-infamous physical altercation with a producer, Oisin Tymon, reportedly over a lack of hot food after filming. While he has since found major success with Amazon's The Grand Tour, his latest column in The Times reveals a deep-seated bitterness remains. Clarkson, however, insists his new attack is not about his own exit, but the corporation's recent trajectory.
He launched his assault by highlighting the BBC's "worst-ever ratings on Christmas Day" and a £1 billion revenue loss last year as households turned away. Clarkson argued that any controversies from his own tenure pale in comparison to the scandals that have since engulfed the broadcaster.
Cataloguing BBC Scandals and 'Boring' Content
In a blistering summary, Clarkson referenced the depraved crimes of former BBC personalities Jimmy Savile and Rolf Harris. He also criticised the handling of the Huw Edwards case, which saw the veteran journalist sentenced in 2024 for possessing indecent images of children.
His critique extended to editorial decisions, mentioning the editing of a Donald Trump speech in a Panorama documentary – a move for which the former US President is reportedly suing for $10 million – and the broadcasting of Glastonbury performer Bob Vylan inciting chants against the IDF.
Clarkson contrasted these serious issues with his own reprimands for what he deemed trivial matters, such as the name of his dog, Didier Dogba, which led to accusations of racism. He wrote feeling "a tiny bit smug" about the scandals unfolding after his departure, stating his life had "improved immeasurably" since leaving.
Radical Suggestions for the Future
The outspoken presenter suggested the BBC should abolish the television licence fee, blaming a "right-on nature" in content for driving viewers away. He also argued that hours of low-cost, "boring" daytime programming drain resources that should fund high-quality drama to compete with streaming giants.
While praising BBC iPlayer as "one of the best bits of tech in the business," Clarkson proposed the Beeb should consider merging with another broadcaster to create a viable competitor to platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV+.
The BBC has been contacted for comment regarding Clarkson's latest explosive remarks, which serve as a potent reminder of one of British broadcasting's most dramatic and enduring fallouts.
