BBC ‘working through implications’ for Top Gear Festival after sacking of Jeremy Clarkson
The BBC has said it is “working through the implications” for the Top Gear Festival due to take place in Sydney next month following the sacking overnight of the show’s presenter Jeremy Clarkson.
The controversial Top Gear frontman was told by his employers that his contract would not be renewed following his attack on BBC producer Oisin Tymon which left him bleeding and seeking hospital treatment.
Clarkson and fellow Top Gear presenters Richard Hammond and James May were due in Australia next month for the Top Gear Festival which takes place at Eastern Creek on April 18 and 19. The event is run by the BBC and Brand Events.
Organisers have been heavily promoting the event by proclaiming the trio will be “together for the first time” in Australia.
A BBC Worldwide spokeswoman said: “We are working through the implications of today’s announcement with our partner Brand Events and will make a statement on the Top Gear Festival as soon as possible.”
BBC director general Tony Hall said it was “with deep regret” that he decided to bring Clarkson’s BBC career to an end but added he had no alternative.
Clarkson had “crossed the line”, Hall said, and “common to all at the BBC have to be standards of decency and respect”.
It is understood Clarkson was paid a seven figure sum to tour the world and take part in the lucrative live activations, which are a money spinner for the commercial arm of the public broadcaster.
Clarkson was suspended by the BBC after he verbally and physically attacked Tymon after a day’s shoot in northern England. The presenter was said to have been angry after being served a cold platter of food rather than steak and chips although other reports suggested the outburst followed problems during the shoot.
Radio 2 breakfast host Chris Evans is among the names being put forward as potential replacements for Clarkson on the car show, which attracts 350m viewers globally.
Three days before Clarkson was suspended over the incident on March 10 Top Gear Festival Sydney released this promotional video with the three presenters talking about all coming to Sydney for the first time.
Steve Jones
Turns out you can’t punch your producer in the face and get away with it, who knew?
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Not having your contract renewed does not equal sacked.
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They should refund every ticket and reimburse people for their flights from interstate.
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Fair enough. Staff can’t go around punching colleagues on the nose. However the Beeb state that Clarkson had “crossed the line” and “common to all at the BBC have to be standards of decency and respect”. Jimmy Saville. I’ll just leave that there.
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The format is replicable but the hosts are not. Chris Evans? Steve Coogan? Give me a break. As much as I can’t stand Top Gear and watch it under pain of death, there is no way they will be able to find the same sort of ‘chemistry’ that exists between these three hosts, particularly as it looks likely James May won’t be renewing his contract (and probably Hammond as well). As all the contractually obligated overseas editions have demonstrated; no matter how well considered the domestic host/s are in their domestic market, there is simply no way of capturing whatever the magic is between Clarkson, May and Hammond.
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There are worse people on TV than Jeremy Clarkson. The Kardashians for example. What about every time Kanye West speaks? My god.
If James, Jeremy and Richard aren’t at the Top Gear Festival in Sydney – I want my money back!
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Ive paid for
vip tickets
Flights
accom
Totalling over $3000
All due to being able to meet all three of them live
This BBC has a lot to answer for and a lot of money to reimburse
If clarkson doesnt appear i will be taking as much action as needed to get my money back.
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@ me
It wouldn’t be Coogan!? It could possibly be Partridge. Perhaps even Brent? Both true stereotypes of the existing mob.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBHaVhRivJU
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I’ve bought the Superfan tickets as a birthday present for my son and husband,paid for the flights. I would like to get my money back if I can’t see the “trio” as claim in the advertisment. Who can we contact to confirm if we they’ll be attending or not?
Feeling very upset as this would have been a ones in a lifetime adventure. Love TOP GEAR.
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What a load of B@##&*S I have flights from Perth and Pit tickets, if the show is not as advertised I will be looking at recovery of all costs associated with this debacle.
Class action I say!!
Maybe the BBC will then have a rethink!!
🙂
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Ticketek website.
Variations to performances or events.
4. The seller reserve the right to add, withdraw, reschedule or substitue artist and/or vary advertised programs, prices, venues, seating arrangements (including ticket categories) and audience capacity.
Reminds me of Wet’n’Wilds New Years Party a few years ago.
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Other than the individuals out of pocket paying for something they could see for free nightly live on the streets of Western Sydney, I do hope they get a refund, who cares it’s deadwood TV.
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The T&Cs do state changes are admissible, but it is unusual for them to hold that clause when the headliner goes, they always refund. As it’s been so heavily advertised as the first time, all three presenters and they haven’t yet changed the advertising it becomes an advertising standards problem. If people want a refund they should be able to get one
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It’s grotesquely unfair. Just because the numpty producer couldn’t produce a hot meal in the middle of the night we all have to go without a fantastic TV show. How incompetent is that? I mean what sort of producer is he if he can’t produce a meal on demand. The BBC should own up and accept it is at fault in not setting adequate competency standards for producers. Jeremy Clarkson is not at fault. The BBC is!
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You will be able to get refunded your tickets for the event as it will not go ahead as promised/promoted (Thank you Australian consumer law).
As for your flights and accommodation, sadly, that’s what (some) travel insurance is for.
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It’s not as painful as loosing thousands in flight and accommodation costs, but Magshop are still sending out 1 and 2 year renewal requests for Top Gear Magazine – regrettably without any warnings. I rang and wast told I might be able to swap any residual subscription to another magazine. So I said ……. !
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