Jeremy Clarkson, Top Gear presenter, fired by BBC

The BBC announced on Wednesday that the Corporation had decided to fire Jeremy Clarkson, the popular and controversial presenter on the car show, Top Gear, following  an "unprovoked physical attack" on a producer with the show.

Tony Hall, the BBC's Director-General, in a statement, said he had "not taken this decision lightly" and recognised it would "divide opinion". He stressed, however, that "a line has been crossed" and that he "cannot condone what has happened on this occasion".

Clarkson was suspended on 10 March, following what was called a "fracas" with Top Gear producer Oisin Tymon. The row, which took place in a Yorkshire hotel, was said to have occurred because no hot food was provided following a day's filming.

An initial investigation had found that Tymon took himself to hospital after he was subject to an "unprovoked physical and verbal attack," during which he was struck, resulting in swelling and bleeding to his lip."

The decision caused an outpouring of support for Clarkson from Top Gear fans, with more than a million people signing an online petition asking that he be reinstated.

Ultimately, however, it was determined that the line he had "crossed" left the BBC no choice but to let him go.

"There cannot be one rule for one and one rule for another dictated by either rank, or public relations and commercial considerations," Hall said.