So Farewell Then Jeremy Clarkson

You read about the warning signs right here: from the revelation that “fracas” was code for a racially aggravated assault which left a producer in need of hospital treatment, through the pointless petition, the interventions of Amanda Bloody Platell and Louise Mensch, the Mail’s attempt to jump on the bandwagon, and finally The Great Man admitting he was on his way out. And now has come the confirmation.

I opened the official BBC envelope, looked at the contents, and there looking back at me ... WAS MY P45

Jezza and the BBC have reached the parting of the ways. Yes, despite the Mail claiming that the Corporation would do everything it could to retain his services, what ultimately happened is that nobody, not even Clarkson, was above the law of the workplace. Star status does not permit you to verbally abuse someone for more than quarter of an hour and then smack them into the nearest A&E.

The occasional lapses into what Jezza’s supporters like to shrug off as mere “political incorrectness” - equating lorry drivers with those who murder prostitutes, gratuitous abuse aimed at Pa Broon, sniggering about “black Muslim lesbians”, sneering use of the phrase “special needs”, a diplomatic incident sparked by his comments about Mexico, and significant adverse reaction to his opinions on India - had got worse of late.

The N-word incident, apparently leaked by someone on the production team, should have alerted Clarkson fans that all was not well on the good ship SS Top Gear. Referring to an Asian man as a “slope” got him censured by Ofcom. And the debacle over the team’s trip to the south of Argentina will have won Jezza few friends at the BBC, which had wiped his arse over all the other lapses. One smack and he was out.

No doubt there will be much wailing, if not gnashing of teeth, from the usual suspects: Richard Littlejohn, any Murdoch pundit (Rupe himself has declared his support), what remains of the Chipping Norton Set, the perpetually thirsty Paul Staines (who is no stranger to aggressive behaviour himself) and his rabble at the Guido Fawkes blog, all will bemoan the sacking. And it will make not a jot of difference.

And if Richard Hammond and James May decline to continue their Top Gear presenting duties without Jezza, then they too can be replaced. The show might even bring in - shock horror - presenters who are not white males who worship at the altar of Petrolheadery. It might abandon the money-guzzling stunts and the total lack of regard for the environment. And it might still bring in a similarly sized audience to BBC2.

One other thing for Jezza to bear in mind - his entire television success story has been at the BBC. Have a think about that. Then remember that the Corporation owns the rights to the Top Gear brand. Clarkson would be well advised to make the most out of whatever big money deal he signs next - there might not be another.

Gross misconduct can lead to dismissal. That rule should never be varied because of star status. The age of Jeremy Clarkson at the Beeb was for a time, but not for all time.