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Jeremy Clarkson to present first episode of Have I Got News for You Jeremy Clarkson to present first episode of Have I Got News for You
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Jeremy Clarkson will present the first episode of Have I Got News For You when the new series returns to BBC1 on 2 October.Jeremy Clarkson will present the first episode of Have I Got News For You when the new series returns to BBC1 on 2 October.
The former BBC star pulled out of the last series of the satirical panel show following the furore over his fracas with Top Gear producer Oisin Tymon, who was hurt in a 30-second-long assault on 4 March and had to take himself to hospital. The former BBC star will be welcomed back into the BBC fold just six months after he was dropped from Top Gear.
Tymon was also shouted at by the ex-Top Gear presenter, who was suspended by the broadcaster on 10 March before it announced his contract would not be renewed. He pulled out of the last series of the satirical panel show following the furore over his fracas with Top Gear producer Oisin Tymon, who was hurt in a 30-second-long assault on 4 March and had to go to hospital.
Director-general Tony Hall said “a line has been crossed” and that “there cannot be one rule for one and one rule for another”. In March, BBC director general Tony Hall said “a line has been crossed” and insisted “there cannot be one rule for one and one rule for another” when he suspended Clarkson from his hit motoring show.
The Have I Got News for You appearance will be Clarkson’s first return to the BBC since his departure. And on Friday, rival broadcaster Sky said it would not be prepared to work with the controversial star because his alleged history of using racist language would compromise its “family brand”.
Clarkson and his fellow ex-Top Gear presenters James May and Richard Hammond have lined up a big-money move to Amazon for a new motoring show to be broadcast on streaming service, Amazon Prime. However, Clarkson will return to BBC1 next month, alongside Have I Got News For You team captains Ian Hislop and Paul Merton, with Pointless presenter Richard Osman as one of the guests.
Clarkson was dropped by the BBC in March after he admitted hitting Oisin Tymon at a north Yorkshire hotel after a day’s filming.
He was furious that the producer had given him a cold meat platter instead of a steak, because the hotel’s kitchens had closed.
Tymon needed hospital treatment, prompting an internal BBC inquiry and a huge public backlash at Clarkson’s conduct.
Bosses were already said to be frustrated by a series of gaffes and decided not to renew the controversial star’s contract.
His fellow presenters James May and Richard Hammond subsequently quit.
Related: Jeremy Clarkson suspended by BBC over 'fracas' with Top Gear producerRelated: Jeremy Clarkson suspended by BBC over 'fracas' with Top Gear producer
As host of Have I Got News for You, he will join team captains Ian Hislop and Paul Merton. Following the fracas, Clarkson pulled out of an appearance on the last series of Have I Got News For You scheduled for 24 April.
Pointless presenter Richard Osman will be one of the two guests in the opening episode. However, the programme’s maker Hat Trick said at the time: “We fully expect him to resume his hosting duties later in the year.”
After Clarkson pulled out of his scheduled appearance on 24 April, programme maker Hat Trick issued a statement: “On reflection, Jeremy Clarkson has decided not to host Have I Got News for You. We fully expect him to resume his hosting duties later in the year.” Hat Trick boss Jimmy Mulville joked: “Maybe we will get the producer on so he can hit Jeremy Clarkson live on television.”
In July, Clarkson, Hammond and May announced a deal worth a reported £160m to make 36 episodes of a new motoring show for Amazon’s Prime Instant Video service.
Recent trademark applications made by his lawyers Olswang hinted the trio may call the show Gear Knobs, Gear Nobs or Speedbird, although Amazon has said it had yet to decide on a name.
The new programme will be a direct challenge to the BBC, which plans to continue making Top Gear with a new presenter lineup led by Chris Evans.